10/26/2025
A triumph of heritage and creativity, the Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany Butterflies choker has been awarded the Heritage Prize at the inaugural Monaco Grand Prix de la Haute Joaillerie.
Designed in 1956 and now held in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Collection, the Butterflies choker was inspired by Schlumberger’s friend, philanthropist and horticulturist Rachel “Bunny” Mellon, who envisioned a necklace capturing the beauty of butterflies. A medley of diamonds, turquoise, amethysts, sapphires and spinels, it was among the first high jewelry commissions created by Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co., arranged to showcase its dynamic colors and evoke the graceful movement of butterflies in flight.
Debuting in Monaco, the Grand Prix de la Haute Joaillerie pays tribute to the artistry and innovation that define high jewelry, honoring the maisons and creators who continue to reimagine the craft for generations to come. From Jean Schlumberger’s boundless imagination to the present day, Tiffany & Co. carries forward a legacy of extraordinary craftsmanship and creative brilliance.
Collection of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts / Estate of Bunny Mellon