Eagle & Pearl Jewelers
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Jewelry retail |
| Founded | 1730 |
| Founder | Francois (Francis) Fleuriau |
| Headquarters | Colorado , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Gemstone, pearl, designer jewelry made from gold and sterling silver |
| Website | eagleandpearl |
Eagle & Pearl Jewelers—commonly referred to as Eagle & Pearl—is a jewelry retailer based in Colorado, United States. Marking its 290th year in business in 2020, it ranks among the oldest continuously operating jewelry establishments worldwide. The company specializes in gemstone, pearl, and distinctive designer pieces crafted from gold and sterling silver. Eagle & Pearl is recognized for collaborating with internationally renowned, award-winning jewelry designers globally.
The origins of Eagle & Pearl trace back to 1730 when it was established by the esteemed jouaillier (master bench jeweler) Francois (Francis) Fleuriau[1]. Subsequently, Peter Parquot,[2][3][4] a fellow descendant of French heritage whose trade cards were bilingual in English and French, joined the enterprise. His family had migrated from France to England in the early 18th century. Since its inception, Eagle & Pearl has remained under family ownership; the present-day co-owner descends as the sixth great-grandson of Peter Parquot and the fourth great-grandson of John Treweek, who managed what evolved into the flagship store on Princes Court, London. The family transitioned the business from the United Kingdom to the United States in 2005, shifting focus from traditional physical storefronts to an online retail model. Currently, Eagle & Pearl operates exclusively within the U.S.
Founding
The inception of Eagle & Pearl dates to 1730 when Francois (Francis) Fleuriau, a distinguished "jouaillier & orfeure" (master jeweler and goldsmith), opened the initial store on Duke Street in London, United Kingdom[5]. In 1744, Peter Parquot became involved,[6][7] supported by a legacy of £800 he received on June 9, 1743 from Jean Maillefaud,[8] who was his wife Susanna Patras Maillefaud’s brother and a descendant of Jean Jacques Maillefaud, counselor to King Louis XIV. This inheritance enabled Peter to establish his first shop on Kings Road facing Nassau Street in St. Ann's, London.[4] Peter commenced his jeweler apprenticeship under Andrew Mayaffre, a French jouaillier based in Convent Garden, London, starting November 28, 1730.[9] Up until 1750, Eagle & Pearl produced jewelry primarily for French noble exiles and allowed purchases on credit; thereafter, both credit and cash payments were accepted. Shortly after this period, fixed pricing for jewelry was adopted—a system first introduced by Palmer's of London Bridge in 1750.[10]
Peter Parquot is credited with designing a ring featuring a prominent brilliant diamond known as the Maillefaud ring,[11] which appears in his wife Susanna’s 1761 will where she bequeathed this and several other rings to their daughters—one described as an emerald set with four brilliant diamonds.[12] These pieces hold considerable historical significance for Eagle & Pearl.
Throughout the eighteenth century, Eagle & Pearl experienced substantial growth as a consortium comprising multiple owner-operators with outlets across London. This coalition pooled resources to secure favorable material pricing and collaborated closely to advance innovations in jewelry design and production.
1751
In 1751, Paul Bouillard became affiliated with Eagle and Pearl, leading to the establishment of a retail outlet on Great Suffolk Street, Haymarket, London.
1752
The following year, in 1752, James Brown joined Eagle and Pearl, resulting in the opening of a shop located on Church Street in Soho, London.
1755
By 1755, Charles Fleuriau had become part of Eagle and Pearl, with a new store inaugurated on Craven Street, London.
1760
An Eagle & Pearl branch was launched in 1760 on Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, London, managed by the jeweler William Park Fisher.
1772
In 1772, Eagle & Pearl opened a shop at No. 9 Eagle and Pearl, situated opposite Brook Street in Holborn, London. This location was operated by jewelers Richard and Letitia Clarke until 1802. Between 1790 and 1793, a family member of Richard Clarke, identified as M. Clarke, also worked as a jeweler at this address.
1780
Joseph Silver joined Eagle and Pearl in 1780, establishing a store at No. 113 Fetter Lane, London. In 1790, he relocated to No. 28 Hatton Garden, where he remained until 1832, and later moved to No. 51 Hatton Garden for the years 1838 and 1839.
1802 - 2002
Eagle & Pearl maintained a local presence in London, U.K. Throughout the early to mid-19th century, John Treweek managed what evolved into the primary store situated on Princes Court, St. Lukes, with his descendants continuing operations there for several years.
Following the growth experienced in the 18th century, Eagle & Pearl faced challenges due to ongoing conflicts throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Many proprietors either opted for voluntary insolvency because of a shortage of heirs and skilled staff or chose to detach their shops from the group.
In 1849, the Eagle and Pearl establishment located on Great Suffolk Street was referenced in the novel "The King and the Countess." In this story, Gardelle, the household master, dispatched a maid to the store bearing a letter requesting Mr. Broshet, the proprietor, to issue a receipt. The maid signed for it and returned it to Gardelle.
In Russia, gem-adorned watches were highly sought after by aristocrats and affluent individuals. The Kremlin Museum houses several such timepieces, including a gem-embellished watch crafted by Peter Parquot Sr., likely produced in a Dresden workshop. This piece features a rock crystal and enamel case and originates from the Cabinet of Tsar Nicholas II (Inventory M3-4143).
2002 - 2005
The present proprietors sustained Eagle & Pearl's legacy and secured a decade-long lease in 2002 for retail space in Lincoln, U.K. After undertaking significant renovations at this location, they eventually sold the lease and transitioned the business to operate exclusively online.
2005 to Present
In 2005, ownership moved from England to the United States, relocating Eagle & Pearl’s operations accordingly. The company now imports and retails jewelry collections crafted by Fei Liu, Kit Heath, and Clogau.
References
- ↑ the london goldsmiths. CUP Archive. 1935.
- ↑ "Collections Search | British Museum". The British Museum.
- ↑ the london goldsmiths. CUP Archive. 1935.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sir Ambrose Heal (1972): Signboards of Old London Shops: Benjamin Blom, Inc. New York. pp.78
- ↑ the london goldsmiths. CUP Archive. 1935.
- ↑ "Collections Search | British Museum". The British Museum. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
- ↑ The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths: The London Goldsmiths. London, England. pp. 61. https://books.google.com/books?id=3iY9AAAAIAAJ&dq=peter+parquot+jeweller&pg=PA66
- ↑ Ancestry.com. The Will of Jean Featherston Maillefaud. Probate date 9 June 1743. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/5111/images/40611_311212-00145?pId=214285
- ↑ Ancestry.com: Copy of apprenticeship record for Peter Parquot, dated 1730. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1851/images/GB1337-04681?pId=420538
- ↑ R. J. Mitchell and M. D. R. Leys (1958). A History of London Life. London, England: Longmans, Green and Co. pp. 182–4
- ↑ Fort Collins Jewelers: What happened to the Maillefaud ring? Jewelry Software
- ↑ Ancestry.com: Will of Susanna Patras Parquot (nee Maillefaud). Probate date 21 August 1761. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/5111/images/40611_311249-00570?pId=574948