History

Founded in Paris in 1843, G. Lemaitre was one of the largest firm in France until the First World War. This firm was one of the purveyors of Napoleon III during the Second Empire and its sign read "Jewellers to the Court of Napoloen III," and later "Jewellers to the King of Greece." The oldest known address is "346 Rue Saint-Honore," but it was changed in the late 1870s to "40 Rue Coquilliere", and in some stars state "42 Rue Coquilliere." At the same time the firm took the name "Lemaitre & Fils." By 1901, the firm was located at "5 bis Rue du Lovre", and by 1918 at "27 Rue Neuve des Bons-Enfants." The firm was eventually taken over by Arthus Bertrand in 1927.

During the Second Empire Lemaitre made the Legion of Honor, all the Imperial Mexican Orders (Imperial Order of Guadalupe-Type II, Imperial Order of the Mexican Eagle, and Imperial Order of San Carlos), and the Greek Order of the Redeemer-Type I. Still at the "346 Rue Saint-Honore," the firm made the brief Order of the Star of the South of the Kingdom of Araucanía and Patagonia. Between 1870 and 1920 Lemaitre made almost every European Order.

The firm is recognized for the high quality of its work and its participation in masterpieces of jewelry art during its lifespan.