A trip to the discovery of jewelery manufacturing. Founded in Paris in 1896, Van Cleef & Arpels is perhaps the most renowned maison of fine jewelery in the world. The book reveals for the first time the secrets of the Mains d"Or that make every piece by Van Cleef & Arpels a unique jewel. The human hand takes pride in its work, and with this book, Van Cleef & Arpels wish to pay homage to all those skilled and knowledgeable hands whose humility and selflessness make it possible for jewelery to exist. It is a life force, transmitted by jewelers, setters, polishers, and all those who are daily confronted by age-old and precious materials: shaping, transforming, and exalting them without ever betraying the reverence that a masterpiece should inspire.