Vintage Dominique Aurientis Jewelry Guide

If you are looking to add some vintage Domonique Aurientis jewelry to your collection, you have come to the right place. Here you will learn about the history, materials, jewelry marks, collectible pieces, and where to buy. 

Dominique has always made an amazing model for her own jewelry and for her philosophy of living large with wit and sophistication. She has been known to wear huge elephant-head earrings, half a dozen lapel pins, bracelets covering both arms, and gold charms dangling from a silk scarf—all at the same time, of course.

Brief History of Dominique Aurientis Jewelry

Dominique Aurientis was born in Aix-en-Provence in Southern France in 1953. She was educated at the Sorbonne University, which was esteemed then, as it is now, for being one of the finest universities in the world. She studied fashion design and, while still studying, went to work for Christian Dior. She stayed with him for four years and then made her way through the most prestigious fashion houses, including Chanel, Lanvin, and Ferragamo. She moved up to director of design for Isabel Canovas. Isabel was as famous for her jewelry as her fashions, and it was there that Dominique found she loved doing accessories more than fashions. She also liked that women who could not afford designer fashions could express their style much more economically with jewelry.

Dominique opened her first jewelry and accessories boutique in France in 1986. Every piece of jewelry was handmade and every stone custom cut. Her jewelry was adorned with colored stones, pearls, glass, and a mixture of materials such as gold-washed metals, bronze, precious woods and resins. Her designs leaned heavily toward flora and fauna. From the beginning, her jewelry garnered media attention and was sold in the most upscale department stores, such as Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Harrods. In the 1990s, Dominique was one of the leading haute couture jewelry designers, and her designs were worn by top models in fashion magazines around the world.

Also in the 1990s, Dominique adopted two children in Brazil and relocated to Bali. There she was inspired by the local artisans, revered for their craftsmanship and intricate designs, and created partnerships with Indian and Thai designers. She began using more traditional methods and avoiding any part of a process that would negatively affect the environment and incorporating recycled materials into her pieces. 

In 2000, she returned to Paris—she wanted her children to have a French/European education—and became a consultant for high-profile Italian brands, such as Emilio Pucci. In 2008, she turned high-tech with her own website and on-line boutique. Her opulent vintage pieces can be found in brick-and-mortar boutiques around the world and on the Web.

Dominique now lives in Southern France where she creates her jewelry using both Italian and French materials.

Jewelry marks

“Dominique Aurientis” in an oval or circle with “PARIS” in between.

Materials Used

• Gold
• Gold-washed metals
• Gold plate
• Brass
• Bronze
• Sterling silver
• Silver-toned metals
• Swarovski crystals
• Crystals
• Rhinestones
• Gripoix glass*
• Glass
• Cabochons
• Tourmaline
• Pearls
• Amber
• Topaz
• Moonstone
• Tortoiseshell
• Coral
• Hand-painted beads
• Enamel
• Resin
• Wood

* Gripoix glass was a technique revived and refined by Augustine Gripoix in the 19^th century. Glass was melted and poured it into molds, making stones that were purer in color and more transparent.