STORY

THE MIGNOT FAMILY

A family of pearl jewellers going back 3 generations. Marivonne, had always been a jewellery designer using in her pieces anything the sea would provide. Despite the fact her material was natural pebbles and shells her skilled craftsmanship elevated her work and drew attention.

The Mignot family were living on sailboats travelling across oceans and for a period of time settled in Tahiti where they got involved in the cultivation of Black Tahitian pearls. One of Marivonnes’ sons urged her to introduce pearls in her jewellery. This was when, after testing the market with a very successful pop up in the US, decided to open a boutique dedicated to her pearl jewellery in St Barths called Bijoux de la Mer.

A black-and-white photo of an elderly man and woman smiling. The man is on the left, wearing a light-colored shirt, and the woman is on the right, resting her head on his shoulder and holding his face. They are in front of a wall with a colorful tree mural showcasing photos of various people.

Although it wasn’t the warmest welcome initially, bringing a free spirited bohemian impression to an island where style at the time was more conservative. Lovers of life and nature, Maryvonne and Gerard Mignot innovated the aesthetics of pearls, using them with leather in handmade pieces with a bohemian footprint, readjusting the timeless elegance of pearls. With time and one groundbreaking design after another and always maintaining her natural materials, her jewellery became the emblem of that little Caribbean Island. To this day St Barths is almost synonymous to Pearl on leather jewellery and you will always see them everywhere around you. 

A man and woman hugging and smiling at a party or social gathering in a room with stone walls, colorful artwork, and a patterned rug. They appear to be holding a small black object, possibly a phone or camera.

The Mignot family, nomadic and adventures as they are, travelled and left colour, creativity and many many pearls on their path. Their family of nine children and 36 grandchildren continue their legacy internationally with new jewellery designs and by maintaining the gypsy philosophy of living. Some of them created boutiques and atteliers in beautiful places like Sayulita, Sea Side Florida, California, Byron Bay, Normandy, New York, Paris, Lisbon and Mykonos.

A man holding a young boy with blonde hair, both smiling, in a natural outdoor setting with trees and foliage.