While Joel Arthur Rosenthal (b. 1943), the founder of JAR, may not be the most prolific jeweler, he is one of the most exclusive. In fact, Rosenthal has no need for prominent signage or window displays at his famed Place Vendôme boutique in Paris because he opens the door only for a select few, including Elle Macpherson, Mary Pinault and Jo Carole Lauder, among others. Rosenthal’s dazzling, sculptural earrings and other jewelry are internationally adored, but his sales tactics are rather unique — he’s notoriously reclusive, shies away from publicity and advertising, and clients are received only after he’s personally approved them.
The New York City–born designer didn’t plan on a career in the jewelry industry. After graduating from Harvard University with a degree in art history and philosophy, a young Rosenthal moved to Paris, where he opened a needlepoint shop. It was off to a slow start, but after a short time, his unusual color pairings and imaginative stitchwork drew in designers from Hermès and Valentino. Rosenthal was tasked with designing a mount for a gemstone by one of his fashion-industry clientele, and he soon moved beyond textile arts.
With a newfound interest in fashion and design, Rosenthal briefly returned to his native New York City, where he worked as a salesperson in BVLGARI’s Fifth Avenue store. His fascination with jewels lured him back to Paris in 1977 to open his own jewelry boutique with his partner, a Swiss psychiatrist named Pierre Jeannet.
In his jewelry shop’s early days, Rosenthal, working with largely affordable stones such as coral, set gems in pavé arrangements that recalled the meticulousness of his needlepoint projects. Although he’d become known among fashion’s elite in Paris, the name JAR was still relatively unfamiliar to his soon-to-be international clientele. An acclaimed exhibition at London’s Somerset House in 2002 changed that.
Rosenthal became a global icon following the 400-piece show, in which the lights were dimmed and guests, armed with flashlights, navigated the display cases of shimmering necklaces and rings adorned in sapphires and diamonds. His now-revered Pansy ear clips — comely floral pieces sculpted from aluminum and mounted in gold — were made available for purchase at the show, while pairs were gifted to those who loaned him their jewels for the exhibition.
Like the Pansy earrings, Rosenthal’s pieces are typically inspired by delicate shapes found in nature. One such piece is a ruby-encrusted camellia brooch, which sold in 2012 at a charity auction held at Christie’s for $4.3 million.
Rosenthal still lives in Paris, where he designs approximately 70 pieces every year.
Browse JAR jewelry today on 1stDibs.
JAR Large Aluminum and 18k Gold Pink Purple Hydrangea Flower Earrings
By JAR
Located in New York City, NY
JAR: A Burst of Floral Fantasy in These Large Aluminum and 18k Gold Hydrangea Earrings Embrace the whimsical beauty of JAR with these captivating large earrings. A unique fusion of ...
Gold, 18k Gold
JAR Large Geranium Earrings
By JAR
Located in New York City, NY
Immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of nature with the JAR Large Autumn Foliage Geranium Earclips. Designed by the legendary Joel Arthur Rosenthal, these earclips are a breath...
JAR Large Vine Leaf Earrings
By JAR
Located in New York City, NY
Very fine and scarce aluminum vine leaf earrings by JAR, Joel Arthur Rosenthal. Beautifully designed to remind one of the changing colors of foliage in...
Base Metal
JAR Large White Gardenia Earrings
By JAR
Located in New York City, NY
Fine and scarce "Gardenia" earrings by JAR, Joel Arthur Rosenthal. Made of white resin and featuring "omega" earring backs in 18k gold. These are made in limited edition. Pouch is in...
18k Gold
JAR Paris Venetian Glass Gold Leaf Titanium Carnival a Venise Earrings
By JAR
Located in New York City, NY
Immerse Yourself in Venetian Enchantment: JAR Paris Venetian Glass and Gold Leaf Titanium Carnival a Venise Earrings Embrace the captivating allure of Venice with these exquisite JAR...
Titanium
JAR Large Golden Fig Leaf Earrings
By JAR
Located in New York City, NY
Very fine and scarce aluminum fig leaf earrings by JAR, Joel Arthur Rosenthal. Beautifully designed, these large earrings are quite a spectacle and a...
JAR PARIS Purple Valerie Clips On Earrings In 18Kt Gold and Aluminum
By JAR
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of clips-on earrings designed by JAR Paris. These are a splendid pair of clips-on earrings, created in Paris France by the iconic luxury jewelry designer Joel Arthur Rosenthal known as JAR Paris. The fabulous earring has been crafted in purple anodized aluminum and 18 karats yellow gold. They are designed in three dimensional shapes and are fitted at the reverse with concealed French omega backs for fastening clips. The backs are for non pierced ears. May be positioned several ways both in front of and crossing front and back of the lobe. Dramatic look and very Chic. Collection: "Large Valerie". The Style These sculptural earrings, was in fact first created by JAR in very limited editions. This style has grown in popularity since then due to the fact they are easy to wear while exhibiting the designer's love for flowers and nature. These earrings are certainly worthy of their iconic status in the world of jewelry design. As an interesting note, at the 2002 exhibition 400 of his works were displayed in near darkness, with visitors using torches to view and take in each item one at a time. Weight: 28.95 Grams, (18.56 Dwt). Measurements: 58 mm by 46 mm by 20 mm (2.28 x 1.81 x 0.79 Inches). Period: Contemporary. Date: 2010- Hallmarks: They are both stamped with French marks; the maker's mark, the mark for the assay of the 18kt gold and signed by the designer, "JAR PARIS". JAR Joel Arthur Rosenthal, most commonly known as JAR, is one of the most renowned contemporary jewelry designers of the 21st century. He born in New York in 1943, he graduated from Harvard University in 1966, then moved to Paris where he met his life and business partner Pierre Jeannet...
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
JAR PARIS Red & Purple Double Violets Clips Earrings In 18Kt Gold and Aluminum
By JAR
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of clips-on earrings designed by JAR Paris. These are a splendid pair of clips-on earrings, created in Paris France by the iconic luxury jewelry designer Joel Arthur Rosenthal ...
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Gold Orchid Clip-on Earrings by Leonard
By Leonard of Paris
Located in PARIS, FR
These glamorous and fashionable pair of clip-on earrings are a must-have in a jewellery collection. The clip-on earrings a gold-toned intricately detailed orchids from Leonard of Par...
Base Metal
JAR Joel Arthur Rosenthal almond blossom earrings, French, circa 1980.
By JAR
Located in London, GB
Joel Arthur Rosenthal almond blossom earrings. A matching pear, set to center with ten solid yellow gold pistils, encircled by five aluminium petals which feature solid pink enamelin...
Yellow Gold
JAR PARIS Gold Fig Leaf Clips Earrings In 18Kt Gold and Aluminum
By JAR
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of clips-on earrings designed by JAR Paris. These are a splendid pair of clips-on earrings, created in Paris France by the iconic luxury jewelry designer Joel Arthur Rosenthal known as JAR Paris. The fabulous earring has been crafted in shiny gold anodized aluminum and 18 karats yellow gold. They are designed in three-dimensional shapes of fig leaf and are fitted at the reverse with concealed French omega backs for fastening clips. The backs are for non pierced ears. Gorgeous pair with dramatic look and very chic. Collection: "Fig Leaf". The Style These sculptural earrings, was in fact first created by JAR in very limited editions. This style has grown in popularity since then due to the fact they are easy to wear while exhibiting the designer's love for flowers and nature. These earrings are certainly worthy of their iconic status in the world of jewelry design. As an interesting note, at the 2002 exhibition 400 of his works were displayed in near darkness, with visitors using torches to view and take in each item one at a time. Weight: 30.2 Grams, (19.36 Dwt). Measurements: 65 mm by 48 mm by 16 mm (2.56 x 1.89 x 0.63 Inches). Period: Contemporary. Date: 2010- Hallmarks: They are both stamped with French marks; the maker's mark, the mark for the assay of the 18kt gold, the edition numbers and signed by the designer, "JAR PARIS 43". JAR Joel Arthur Rosenthal, most commonly known as JAR, is one of the most renowned contemporary jewelry designers of the 21st century. He born in New York in 1943, he graduated from Harvard University in 1966, then moved to Paris where he met his life and business partner Pierre Jeannet...
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Retro Gold Angela Cummings Floral Orchid Petal Earrings New York Circa 1984
By Angela Cummings
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Retro Gold Angela Cummings Floral Orchid Petal Earrings New York Circa 1984. The earrings weigh 19.6 grams. Each earring contains a gold wire/stem to give the wearer an option of sli...
Gold
