Baccarat is coming under the spotlights on the international scene of jewelry by launching a collection of crystal jewels studded with precious or semiprecious stones. Rightfully named "Les Précieux", this new collection appears like a hymn to the brilliant sparkles of crystal combined with gems. Originating in the idea that the material does not serve the design but commands it, these creations first of all enhance the beauty of the selected materials. The variety of the lines, available in several versions that make the most of the union of colors and precious substances, while epitomizing dynamism and creativity, does not rule out similarities of forms that govern the development of a personal and remarkable style. Crystal always reigns supreme, and combines with gems or semiprecious stones set on yellow or white gold : clear crystal, whose transparency and neutrality of color is ideally suited to accenting the colored gems (ruby and sapphire) ; or, for a white harmony, clear crystal worked with white or bronze diamonds and yellow gold, so warm and radiant. This new collection required a close collaboration between the Baccarat master-glass-workers and artisan goldsmiths. They demonstrate here ultimate technical skills when it comes to inlaying crystal with gold, semiprecious stones or gems. Each creation mirrors a workmanship of the highest standards in every stage of the making (mounting, chasing, polishing), that we owe to the exacting eye and astounding dexterity of experienced craftsmen familiar with crystal and gem work. Each jewel expresses an original conception, whereby the aesthetic and cultural choices of Baccarat harmoniously accent the beauty of the woman’s body.
Baccarat worldwide : 46 boutiques

Already shaken by the success of its new headquarters situated 11, Place des Etats-Unis and housing the already famous black crystal chandelier, the Baccarat tradition once again is experiencing another impertinent reinterpretation signed by Philippe Starck. By exploiting the paradox and contrasts between light, diffracted by clear crystal, and the dark shine of onyx - daylight and darkness -, Starck revives the brand’s past tradition of black crystal manufacturing with his usual talent.
Via a collection by the name of “Darkside”, the one of a kind provocative humour agitator Philippe Starck invites us to explore the darkest side of nature, which is obviously the source of crystal radiance.

Baccarat is relocated to a legendary place situated at 11, place des Etats-Unis in Paris. The former muse of this unique private mansion, Marie-Laure de Noailles (1902-1970) threw magical parties there and in this magnificent place of pomp and tradition, made a salon dedicated to painters, writers and musicians. Time and again she would reorganize the layout and design of the mansion to suit her mood. No setting could be better suited as the new home of Baccarat. Philippe Starck was immediately carried away by the idea of developing this magnificent project. He was given carte blanche and developed the extravagant scheme, full of wonderment and surprise for this leading international luxury brand. The 3000 square meters of the former Noailles mansion accommodate the Baccarat headquarters, its boutique and gallery-museum, a restaurant and the original grand ball room of exceptional craftsmanship. It is a meeting place and the setting of the brands most beautiful accomplishments : Art de Vivre, Jewelry and Accessories as well as legendary collections.

A year after launching Les Précieux, its daring jewelry collection, Baccarat innovates with two new lines, subjects to every desire: the accessories’ collection Folie Douce that combines the sensuality of fur with the glitter of crystal and B on Time, the first watch designed by Baccarat. With Folie Douce, Baccarat reinterprets the classics with impertinence, combining refined materials (mink, fox...) or informal ones (rabbit) with colored crystal.Stole, bag or purse, the fur , generous and sensual, beautifully showcases the Baccarat crystal. Baccarat also brings a real creativity to the watchmaking industry, with an original design that breaks with the traditional codes and unique combinations of materials and colors. Sober, eccentric or classical and stylish, B on Time will meet all your wishes thanks to its interchangeable bracelets. Its crystal case, matched with precious white, yellow or pink gold dials set with gems or plain traps time in a drop of light as if to better control it...

Baccarat commissions the American designer Barbara Barry to design a new collection. With its refined, sensual lines and its rich details that let light play in the thick crystal, Tranquility naturally fits into the Baccarat style. Barbara Barry takes advantage of this opportunity to give table settings a youthful feel by freely mixing thoroughly contemporary tall glasses and tumblers. A trendsetter! Tranquility also includes table linen (tablecloths, place mats, napkins, etc.) featuring the Baccarat signature. Baccarat worldwide: 35 boutiques (compared with 3 in 1994).

The release of the first perfume in Baccarats Les Contes dAilleurs (Tales from Faraway lands) trilogy: Une Nuit étoilée au Bengale (A Starry Night in Bengal), followed by Les Larmes Sacrées de Thèbes (The Sacred Tears of Thebes) in 1998, and Un Certain été à Livadia (A Certain Summer in Livadia) in 1999. Retrospective Baccarat exhibition in Segovia, Spain entitled «Baccarat Una Historia del Cristal Frances», followed by a major Baccarat exhibition in Japan (1998-1999) in four museums (Yokohama, Osaka, Hiroshima, Tokyo).

A revolution in glassware with the launch of the Constellation collection and in particular, the Vega line. This line plays on the paradoxes between the fineness of the crystal bowl, the long stem constructed out of an assemblage of large cut beads and the thickness of the magnifying glass base.

Launch of the first Baccarat jewelry line. Baccarat crystal was introduced to the fashion world with two annual collections and has won over an increasing number of women throughout the world. A new collection called Mémoire groups together replicas of old pieces. Every two years, Mémoire calls on the talents of the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (Best Craftsmen in France) who work at the glassworks. Every other year, contemporary design is also featured in a special collection called Rencontre. A designer chosen by Baccarat is given the freedom to create exceptional pieces in co-operation with the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France. Baccarat took part in the «Fabergé Orfèvre des Tsars» exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, and the «Tables Royales» exhibition at the Château de Versailles.

Creation of the Baccarat Pacific subsidiary in Tokyo, where a first boutique opened its doors in 1985. Today, Baccarat boasts eleven boutiques in the Far East (Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and China). Baccarat’s relationship with Japan dates back to the late 19th century with the tea ceremony pieces commissioned by the Harumi House. In 1909, glass stemware engraved with a chrysanthemum – the emblem of the Imperial House – was created for the Emperor of Japan.

Creation of the Masséna stemware service, extremely popular in the United States.

Creation of the American subsidiary Baccarat Inc. Opening of a wholesale shop and a retail boutique in New York.

This signature began to be etched with acid or sand-blasted onto all the pieces. Stemware was designed for President Franklin D. Roosevelt of the United States.

For the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts held in Paris, Georges Chevalier, a Baccarat designer since 1916, designed the Baccarat-Christofle Pavilion. Every drop of Georges Chevaliers talent came out in a water theme. A magnificent 3-meter high chandelier representing a waterfall was purchased for Sydneys Royal Theater. Five years later, the Prince of Wales ordered stemware with square bases for his yachts.

Baccarat: the “Russian” oven burned day and night to fill the lavish orders of the court of Tsar Nicholas II, following his visit to Paris. Candelabras, fountains, centerpieces, and luxurious stemware including a vodka glass, were specially designed for this market.

Development of the Indian market with orders of furniture and crystal lighting fixtures, among other items. Baccarat opened up trading-posts all over the world (Tonkin, Montevideo, Mexico, Havana, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Philippines, Cambodia and the United States).

Paris held its third World Fair, Baccarat won its third gold medal. A new style called “Japanism” considerably changed the decorative arts (ceramics, crystal, furniture, fabrics and wallpaper). Baccarat began using a new engraving technique called “taillegravure”.

Defeat of Napoleon III in Mexico. For the first time in France, Japan participated in the Paris World Fair. Baccarat presented a magnificent pair of vases engraved by Jean-Baptiste Simon and won another gold medal.

France and Great Britain signed a free-trade treaty. The first brand signature was registered at the Paris Commercial Court. The logo was set on a label affixed to the bottom of each piece until 1936.

The first World Fair in Paris. Baccarat won the gold medal.

The Harcourt set is still manufactured today. With its decoration of flat cut sides and its architectural style, it is an emblem of the brand. A great traveler, it graces many prestigious tables all over the world.

The Launay, Hautin et Cie company was created, grouping together the Baccarat, Saint-Louis and Choisy-Le-Roy crystalworks. Head office: 30, rue du Paradis-Poissonnière, Paris. Illustrated catalogues were published.In 1857, the company closed down. Baccarat remained at this address.

November: the first shipment to Turkey. In the following years, this market grew considerably with orders of lighting fixtures, candelabras, banisters, and also mocha sets and hookahs (!) for the palaces of Constantinople.

King Louis XVIII of France commissioned a set of stemware. Since then, Baccarat has created stemware for the Kings Charles X, Louis-Philippe, the Emperor Napoleon III, and the French presidents. Today, Juvisy stemware still graces the tables of the Elysée Palace. Free housing was offered to the glassworkers on the glassworks site.

Perfume bottle production took off, soaring to 4,000 bottles a day (compared with 150 in 1897!). All of the great perfume-makers, later followed by fashion designers, commissioned Baccarat to create their bottles. Among them were Coty, Houbigant, Patou, Schiaparelli, Elizabeth Arden, Guerlain, Dior, Montana, Versace, and Lancôme, just to name a few.

Creation of a chandelier with 230 lights to celebrate Baccarats 230th birthday.

Release of the Simplissimes collection, which groups together contemporary creations and replicas (lighting fixtures, candleholders, carafes, caviar bowls, vases, ashtrays, glasses). The items were created by the young designers Jean-Marie Massaud, Caroline Bouzinac and Jean Oddes for the Brummel service made in Baccarats design workshops in 1911, and touch on the 1930s of Georges Chevalier and then the 1970s with American Van Day Truex and Italian Roberto Sambonet. From contemporary creations to early 20th-century designs, Simplissimes presents objects of formal simplicity which strike the perfect balance between functionality and aestheticism.

King Louis XV of France gave Bishop de Montmorency-Laval of Metz permission to found a glassworks in the village of Baccarat located in Lorraine in eastern France.

The first crystal oven went into operation at Baccarat on 15 November. Until then, the glassworks produced windowpanes, mirrors and stemware. Over 3,000 people work at the site.

Italian designer Roberto Sambonet designed a first collection for Baccarat. He was followed in 1974 by Van Day Truex. Since then, many French and foreign designers and artists have worked with Baccarat, including Salvador Dali, César, and Robert Rigot. In 1982, a new in-house designer joined the team: Thomas Bastide. Since the 1990s, occasional co-operation with outside designers has been on the rise with Andrée Putman and the Pampilles line, Patrice Butler and a new approach to lighting fixtures with the Saphir line, Thierry Lecoule and his Lyre furniture or more recently Jean-Marie Massaud, Jean Boggio, Mathias, and the American designer Barbara Barry. Symbols of their times, each of these creations help the brand to confirm its modern identity.

A retrospective exhibition for Baccarats bicentennial was held in Paris at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs (Museum of Decorative Arts), Palais du Louvre.