SUPPLYING EMOTIONS SINCE 1922

Written by Pierre- Benoît Sepulchre | Published on 1 February 2024

Holemans is one of the few Belgian jewellery houses to have survived the passage of time while perpetuating its unique expertise over the generations.

Holemans was founded in 1922, specialising in the design of religious jewellery. But in the 1930s, Henri Holemans, the company's founder, began specialising in precious lacquerware with a Japanese master. This was a technique that he passed on to his son Jean, and which helped to stimulate the jewellery business. The 1960s saw the emergence of pieces that were both classic and timeless, punctuated with references to Art Deco and embellished with precious stones, and capable of passing from generation to generation without ageing. The Holemans style was born.

In 1981, Jean's son Thierry joined the Brussels workshops. Ten years later, he opened a boutique on Avenue Louise and began producing a series of high-flying creations - including the Antelope ring - that affirmed the house's DNA. Thierry helped his name to shine beyond our borders, becoming the first Belgian to open a boutique on Place Vendôme in 1997.

A House, not a brand

Today, the guardian of the Holemans style is Moïse Mann, who spent 17 years working in the company's workshops. A century after its creation, the word craftsmanship is more relevant than ever. From the gouache drawing to the final setting and polishing, each piece of jewellery is handcrafted on site, with the greatest respect for tradition.

By favouring the short circuit and the absence of intermediaries, Holemans is able to offer very competitive prices, despite the fact that everything is meticulously designed in its workshops and that each creation is unique. "Unlike the big brands, which offer prototyped, cast and 3D-designed products, we only use traditional methods and don't outsource any of the manufacturing stages. This allows us to offer unbeatable value for money", explains Patricia Savi, the shop manager. This approach translates into a choice of fine stones of exceptional quality and chromatic diversity, which are used in engagement rings, the spearhead of the House.

But tradition hasn't stopped Maison Holemans from looking to the future.Established on the Place du Grand Sablon 10 years ago, it favours an approach that is as ethical and sustainable as possible.To achieve this, it uses recycled gold and Kimberley-certified diamonds from sources that are not involved in financing armed conflicts. It also offers jewellery transformation services, the use of family stones in new creations, and expert appraisals for inheritance and insurance purposes.Finally, the company represents the prestigious Baume et Mercier watch brand.