Voice of Jewels

[Myths and legends of gems] E01⏐The Jade Bracelets of China’s Empress Cixi 28.05.2026 14min

This is the penultimate chapter in the story of Cixi, Empress Dowager of the Qing dynasty, renowned for her enduring love of different types of jade. Even more precious than gold or diamonds, jade is considered the ultimate good luck charm. Over time, it has become a symbol associated with China’s emperors and empresses. Steeped in legends and myths, jade is believed to bring wisdom to all those who wear it... and maybe even eternal life.Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover the myths and legends of gems of L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts 21.05.2026 1min

Since the dawn of time, precious stones have been a source of wonder. Their beauty is such that secret virtues are sometimes attributed to them. Thus, the rarest gemstones have accompanied princes and princesses, adventurers and poets… Voice of Jewels adorns itself in green, blue, and a myriad of iridescent reflections, inviting you to rediscover the legends and histories of these precious gemstones.  Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S11E04 - Voyage of Gemstones⏐Peridot, the gem that fell from the sky 16.04.2026 10min

My name is peridot. I am a transparent green gemstone. I was discovered by chance in the center of Patagonia… But I arrived there after a long and perilous journey through stars and sky. While most peridot stones are born in the Earth’s crust, my origin is rather different… I am extraterrestrial.  Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels.  With the participation of Laetitia Gilles Guery, gemologist and professor at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.   Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S11E03 - Voyage of Gemstones⏐The great journey of precious red coral 09.04.2026 11min

What am I? A mineral? A plant? Or... an animal?  I am called Corallium rubrum, Precious Red Coral, and I have sparked many lively debates in my time! Not only was my classification difficult to determine but to find me, curiosity is required... I am hard to find! One has to dive deep into the depths.    Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels. With the participation of Ann Lee, gemologist and professor at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.  Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S11E02 - Voyage of Gemstones⏐The Blue Routes of Lapis Lazuli 02.04.2026 11min

Lapis-lazuli…The blue stone… Pliny the Elder described me as “a fragment of the starry firmament.” My color—ultramarine, a deep blue flecked with gold—has led many to believe that I am the gem of the gods. I have traveled practically all around the world and have even given rise to one of the oldest trade routes…  Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels.  With the participation of Laetitia Gilles Guery, gemologist and professor at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.   Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S11E01 - Voyage of Gemstones⏐The dazzling rise of the diamond 26.03.2026 11min

I am the Cullinan Diamond, and I come from far away. Very far away, in fact. From the farthest reaches of the Universe and the depths of the Earth. Let me tell you about my remarkable journey…  Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels. With the participation of Laetitia Gilles Guery, gemologist and professor at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.  Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Delve into the Voyage of Gemstones 19.03.2026 1min

One might think that gemstones, natural treasures adorning jewelry and ornaments, are static and immutable. But the reality is rather different and their history is one of constant movement.  In this season, be prepared to traverse the layers of the Earth with the diamond, to wander Oriental trade routes in search of lapis lazuli, to explore the seas on the hunt for precious coral, and to discover a strange peridot ... fallen from the sky.  Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels. With the participation of Laetitia Gilles Guerry, and Ann Lee, gemologists and professors at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.  Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Precious romances] E04⏐Rihanna's Wedding Grillz, or the Making of a Myth 05.03.2026 9min

Ever wondered why lovers kneel on one knee to ask, “will you marry me”? It’s actually less about the kneeling - it’s more about the ring…Engagement rings are part of a tradition which dates back to Ancient Rome. They symbolized a legally binding commitment, reserved for the most solemn of oaths. Pretty unromantic...Things have changed quite a bit since ancient times… asking somebody’s hand is something very passionate… and today, any kind of jewel can be used for an engagement.. rings, earrings, a bracelet, watch, or a necklace... Some people prefer to embrace tradition, others like to rock the boat… Just like American rapper A$AP Rocky when he proposed to girlfriend and pop icon, Rihanna…Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.With Léonard Pouy, Professor of Art History and Content and Transmission Manager at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Precious romances] E03⏐La Peregrina 26.02.2026 9min

Richard Burton, one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors, decided to give his beloved an extraordinary piece of jewelry... For Richard’s heart belonged to a star. An immense, internationally renowned star by the name of Elizabeth Taylor.And his gift is unlike any other... It's a royal pearl, once worn by the queens of England and Spain: La Peregrina.Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, and Léonard Pouy, Art Historian and Content and Transmission Manager at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Precious romances] E02⏐Napoleon’s Immortal Scarab Beetle 19.02.2026 12min

Can a piece of jewelry save a life? Or guarantee eternity? Napoleon Bonaparte believed this to be the case. His military campaigns around the world had already introduced him to the supernatural power of jewelry... But it was after escaping death a first time that his faith in the power of jewelry was properly set. So much so that he imagined a strange talisman, a lucky charm and symbol of his love, sculpted in the shape of… a scarab beetle!Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Precious romances] E01⏐Lou's Ring, or Apollinaire's War Poems 12.02.2026 12min

Did you know that in the trenches of World War I, soldiers made... jewelry? In the chaos and horror of war, love still exists! But how did a simple aluminum ring, fashioned in the midst of turmoil from a German shell, end up at the heart of one of the greatest love stories in literature?The wild love of Guillaume Apollinaire for the beautiful and rebellious Lou... This is the story of a rudimentary ring, which would eventually be set in gold... The story of a tragic passion - that of a wounded poet - which would be sublimated... in the famous Poems to Lou, a monument of French literature. This is the story... of a "war jewel"... and of love.Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts andLéonard Pouy, Professor of Art History and Content and Transmission Manager at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Delve into the precious romances of L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts 05.02.2026

Every love story is unique. Some are secrets, others famous. Some are fairy tales, while others have a more tragic ending… Rare and elusive loves, sealed in incredible jewels.  In this season of love, Voice of Jewels invites you to rediscover unforgettable romances symbolized by: a steel ring, a talisman shrouded in mystery, a wandering pearl… and even famous grillz! Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Winter tales] E04⏐The Captivating Hope Diamond 08.01.2026 11min

[Winter tales]Imagine a story at times tragic yet at other times magical with a lost diamond as its common thread… a blue diamond standing for hope and fortune, love and special feelings... The Heart of the Ocean, the jewel at the core of the Titanic movie's plot.But the Heart of the Ocean is no fictitious jewel. It was inspired by a real jewel and an equally famous diamond, the Hope diamond.Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.With Paul Paradis, Art Historian and Lecturer at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Winter tales] E03⏐The Man with a Midas touch 01.01.2026 15min

[Winter tales]From museums to exhibit spaces, one cannot stop marveling at this artist’s work. Daniel Brush had a golden touch. Painter and sculptor, Brush crafts gold with finesse and creativity, as if he were an alchemist. He can improvise with as much spontaneous creativity as a jazz musician during a jamming session…The Second Dome is one of his most iconic creations. This small gold dome is a childhood dream come true. It’s the story of his life. Brush’s personal saga…Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.With Olivia Brush, artist, Daniel Brush’s wife, life and work partner for more than 50 years.Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Winter tales] E02⏐The Hidden treasure of Colmar 25.12.2025 10min

[Winter tales] Some treasures tell beautiful stories. Others are connected to tragedies...As is the case with the Jewish Treasure of Colmar.Hidden in dramatic circumstances, it was miraculously preserved. The treasure, comprising objects of a rare luxury, along with more modest items, is the witness to a past filled with darkness, but also with light.Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.With Léonard Pouy, Art Historian and Content and Transmission Manager at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Winter tales] E01⏐Tolkien and the power of the ring 18.12.2025 13min

[Winter tales]Some jewels have only ever existed in books, and this is probably why they are so famous. Tolkien’s rings are amongst those mythical jewels found only in fiction, created thanks to their talented author. However, Tolkien did in fact, attempt to anchor his iconic rings to a true story and it is possible that a very real jewel served as his inspiration.This is the story of a magic ring and a curse. Of course...Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.With the participation of Charline Coupeau, doctor in art history, jewelry specialist, gemologist and researcher at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Jean Ann Douglass and produced by Bababam. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover the winter selection of L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts 11.12.2025

The most extraordinary tales are born when Christmas draws near... As winter comes, nights fall early and flames flicker in the hearth, that’s when stories come to life. Perhaps echoing the gifts we love to exchange this time of year, these tales often feature… jewels.  During the Holiday Season, Voice of Jewels invites you to revisit episodes about the ring of power, the treasure of Colmar, the Golden Dome, and the most fantastic Blue Diamond in history! Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S10E04 - Emerald⏐The “lechuga”: the 1,400 emeralds monstrance 13.11.2025 13min

In Spanish, the word “lechuga” means lettuce. But it is also the nickname for a sacred object, a monstrance adorned with so many emeralds that it takes on the color of lettuce. These precious stones come from the famous mines of Colombia, known for centuries by the native populations. Even today, these mines are the source of some of the world’s most beautiful emeralds.  The monstrance, a masterpiece of goldsmithing and a symbol of the encounter between indigenous and European cultures, has survived time and history. Now a national treasure, it once almost disappeared forever. Without a doubt, it is truly miraculous that this remarkable object can thankfully be still admired today.  Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels.  With the participation of Marie-Laure Cassius-Duranton, gemologist and art historian at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S10E03 - Emerald⏐The Buried Treasure of Prince Liangzhuang 06.11.2025 11min

In 2001, in the village of Dahong, nestled in the heart of China’s Hubei province, the Lunar New Year was in full swing. As fireworks illuminated the night sky, another series of explosions, muffled and more sinister, suddenly resonated deep in the nearby mountain… The villagers immediately realized that tomb robbers were about to strike, and they alerted the police. Although the location of this tomb had been known about for a long time, its contents still remained a mystery… Upon entering the mausoleum, after the arrest of the looters by the police, the archeologists sent by the authorities discovered a veritable treasure trove, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. The find included thousands of breathtakingly beautiful objects made from gold, jade, and precious stones … as well as emeralds from the other side of the world.  Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels.  With the participation of Bei He, art historian and lecturer at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S10E02 - Emerald⏐On the trail of the Topkapi Dagger 30.10.2025 13min

Since antiquity, emeralds have frequently been seen as symbols of eternity. Yet, paradoxically, they are often at the heart of stories where time is counted. As is the case here. This is the story of a dagger intended for Nadir Shah. When a story begins with a dagger, we usually expect a crime or a tragedy... But this blade is unique. Encrusted with gigantic emeralds—including some of the most spectacular ever mounted on a weapon—it fascinates. Dazzles. And for centuries, this dagger has attracted envy and attention. It even inspired a cult comedy movie by the name of Topkapi. But the story of Nadir Shah’s dagger is far from a comedy. It is an epic. A fresco of war and peace, of conquests and betrayals… An adventure worthy of the greatest Hollywood stories. Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels.  With the participation of Marie-Laure Cassius-Duranton, gemologist and art historian at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.