Key points
- It goes back to our roots and spotlights my grandfather’s love for light and colour, his passion for stones he carried from his childhood in Argentina, and the first boutique he opened on Rue Royale in Paris.
- In the Soleil d’Or Sunrise collection, Valérie Samuel revives the fiery glow of the legendary Soleil d’Or yellow diamond—a 100+ carat stone discovered in 1977 and recently reacquired by Fred in 2021.
- The rediscovery of the stone sparked a creative renaissance within the house, leading to nine radiant creations that shimmer with the intensity of the sun.
Branded Jewellery: A Granddaughter’s Personal Journey Through Light and Color
Fred, the iconic French maison often dubbed the “sunshine jeweller,” has launched a high jewellery collection that doesn’t merely sparkle—it tells a story. The 2025 line, split into two dazzling chapters—1936 and Soleil d’Or Sunrise—is Artistic Director Valérie Samuel’s homage to her legendary grandfather and the brand’s founder, Fred Samuel. Blending Parisian elegance with Riviera brilliance and the vibrant Mediterranean spirit, the collection is an evocative journey through decades of artistic brilliance and personal history.
Bib necklace from the Soleil d’Or Sunrise collection crafted in white and yellow gold, featuring a 2.01-carat Fancy
Image Credit: FRED
This Branded Jewellery news report highlights how the house of Fred is once again redefining what it means to design with emotion and craftsmanship. According to Valérie, “This collection is dear to my heart. It goes back to our roots and spotlights my grandfather’s love for light and colour, his passion for stones he carried from his childhood in Argentina, and the first boutique he opened on Rue Royale in Paris.”
The 1936 Chapter A Sparkling Nod to Art Deco and Rare Gems
The first half of the collection, aptly named 1936, draws upon Fred Samuel’s early obsessions with colored stones—particularly rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and pearls—and the structured, geometric elegance of Art Deco. Ten exquisite pieces pay tribute to this aesthetic, each more mesmerizing than the last. One standout piece in this chapter features a 7.13-carat cushion-cut blue Sri Lankan sapphire framed within an architectural diamond-set arch that mirrors a vaulted passageway. The craftsmanship—grain and claw settings—gives the piece a dynamic interplay of light and form.
Akoya pearls also make a poignant return, representing Fred Samuel’s earliest creations and reminding collectors that beauty often lies in heritage. With its careful balance of heritage and design evolution, 1936 is a refined reinterpretation of what it means to honour the past through future-facing elegance.
Soleil d’Or Sunrise the Golden Revival of a Legendary Stone
In the Soleil d’Or Sunrise collection, Valérie Samuel revives the fiery glow of the legendary Soleil d’Or yellow diamond—a 100+ carat stone discovered in 1977 and recently reacquired by Fred in 2021. The rediscovery of the stone sparked a creative renaissance within the house, leading to nine radiant creations that shimmer with the intensity of the sun.
Selected items from the 2025 collections
Image Credit: FRED
At the heart of this chapter is a stunning bib necklace crafted in white and yellow gold. Fluid strands lay seamlessly against the skin, drawing all eyes to the centrepiece—a 2.01-carat Fancy Intense Yellow diamond that captures the same incandescent glow of the original Soleil d’Or. The pieces in this collection are not just for admiration but for living: transformable rings, reconfigurable earrings, and layered necklaces all underscore Fred’s enduring philosophy—jewellery should not sit in safes, it should move with life.
A New Era Under Vincent Reynes Visionary Leadership
As Fred eyes its 90th anniversary in 2026, newly appointed CEO Vincent Reynes is bringing fresh momentum to the brand. While grounded in its storied past, the maison is looking ahead with bold ambitions, especially in the Asia region—a market that has long held deep cultural and commercial ties with the brand.
Selected items from the latest collection
Image Credit: FRED
The relationship between Fred and its Asian collectors dates back to the 1980s, when Fred Samuel was already creating bespoke masterpieces for clients from the region. “They gave him so much creative freedom – whether it was bespoke jewels or exceptional objects — they inspired him to push boundaries,” Valérie explains. Today, this cultural exchange remains vital, with contemporary Asian women finding resonance in Fred’s blend of boldness, minimalism, and master craftsmanship.
Celebrating Cultural Moments with Modern Elegance
Fred’s commitment to commemorating meaningful life events continues to be central to its design ethos. This latest collection not only honours the maison’s luminous history but also looks to mark special moments across diverse cultures. The distinctive aesthetic—clean yet expressive, simple yet bold—is a natural match for modern sensibilities, especially in regions where jewellery is not just worn but celebrated.
With 19 new high jewellery creations split across the two chapters, the collection showcases Colombian emeralds, Sri Lankan sapphires, Mozambique rubies, and yellow and white diamonds. The Art Deco inspiration in 1936 and the sunlit radiance in Soleil d’Or Sunrise make the collection not just a tribute, but a statement of timeless innovation.
Fred’s latest high jewellery line is more than a celebration of gemstones—it’s a deeply intimate ode to a founder who saw the world in color, light, and elegance. As the maison prepares for its milestone anniversary, the legacy of Fred Samuel continues to burn brightly through the visionary eyes of his granddaughter and the bold steps of a new leadership.
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