Fred Of Paris Leopard

Fred’s fine jewelry sparkles with joyful exuberance. Although it was founded almost a century ago as Fred Paris, the brand has long been considered a leader in modern and contemporary jewelry design. Each bold cocktail ring, elegant pair of drop earrings and glamorous necklace is imbued with a vibrant personality. 

Fred Paris was the vision of master jeweler Fred Samuel. The son of a French jeweler, Samuel was born in Argentina in 1908. As a young man, he moved to Paris for an apprenticeship and opened his own jewelry shop there in 1936. Samuel was known for his casual yet sophisticated style, working with diamonds, pearls and colored gemstones to create smart jewelry for all occasions. 

Some of Samuel’s most high-profile clients included Princess Grace of Monaco and the King and Queen of Nepal. The sign above his storefront on the Rue Royale initially was branded with the founder’s full name, but during the 1940s, the “Samuel” part came down. Today jewelry lovers commonly know the company as Fred, a brand operated by Fred Paris.

Samuel created his famous Force 10 bracelet collection in 1966, and it became one of the brand's signature pieces. Inspired by its creator’s love for the sea, the Force 10 bracelet features a braided steel sailing cable and a gold buckle. The simple but versatile design is endlessly customizable to go with any wardrobe.

In 1996, Fred Paris was acquired by luxury holding company LVMH (which went on to purchase Tiffany Co. and Bvlgari). Fred Samuel passed away in 2006, but Fred Paris continued his legacy in jewelry. The brand's next significant collection was the 2016 Chance Infinie line, which paid homage to the creativity and playfulness of the company's founder.

Today, Fred Paris is a key component of LVMH’s luxury ambitions. The brand has continued to enjoy significant growth since 2020, contributing to its popularity and esteem.

In 2021, Fred Paris launched the Pretty Woman collection, named for the iconic ruby and diamond heart necklace Julia Roberts wore in the 1990 film, which producers had found at the Fred Paris boutique on Rodeo Drive. The company’s artistic director is Samuel’s granddaughter, Valérie Samuel, who has also worked with Swarovski and Lalique over the years.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of Fred rings, earrings, bracelets and more.

Contemporary jewelry is inextricably linked with the moment in which it is created, frequently reflecting current social, cultural and political issues such as environmental consciousness, identity and sustainability. It’s informed by fashion trends, from the chokers of the 1990s to the large chain necklaces of the early 2000s.

Jewelry is one of the oldest forms of adornment. Lockets made of silver or gold have been treasured gifts for hundreds of years, for example, and charm bracelets, which have existed since prehistoric times, didn’t become especially popular until the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria. For many centuries, fine jewelry was used primarily to express wealth or status through lavish materials. Then, in the 1960s, a concept known as the “critique of preciousness” emerged, with jewelers creating pieces that did not get their value from gemstones or precious metals. Instead, it was the jeweler’s artistic vision that was prized and elevated.

This shift still informs Contemporary jewelry being made by artists today. Whether they are using cheap, found materials and working with provocative geometric shapes or seeking out the rarest stones, they are imbuing their work with meaning through their skills, techniques and ideas. Innovative designers such as Elsa Peretti, who popularized sculptural sterling-silver jewelry for Tiffany Co., and David Yurman, who twisted metal into the simple yet striking Cable bracelet, have also influenced the direction of Contemporary jewelry’s forms and aesthetics.

Meanwhile, technological advancements like metal alloys and laser engraving have led to new possibilities in jewelry design. Now, edgy makers and brands as well as minimalist designers are pushing Contemporary jewelry forward into the 21st century.

Find a collection of Contemporary rings, earrings, necklaces and other jewelry on 1stDibs.