Biography

To learn more about who stands behind A Jour, please read my biography. "Klaus Kutter, he was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. At the age of five, he moved with his family back to Switzerland. In 1987, he entered the apprenticeship program at the Jens Grisson "Atelier" in Geneva, Switzerland. After four years, in 1991, under the critical eye of Master Grisson, he graduated with the best national jewelry exam results in a decade. In Geneva, his primary work was developing special edition ROLEX watches and ROLEX jewelry, as well as some PATEK PHILIPPE watches. Klaus worked on a important crown and much more. In 1992, he took over the Jewelry Design Department at the KRIA Company in Milan, Italy. There he had the privilege of working directly with jewelry designer FULVIO PORLEZZA, a leading Italian designer. In 1994, Klaus returned to his roots, back to the US, where he began A Jour, INC."

My Philosophy

A Jour's philosophy is that jewelry should be beautiful to look at. A It should have volume, movement, and style. Jewelry must have a nice touch and feel to it. It shouldn't feel empty, hollow or cheap. A Jewelry should sound good, clean, and solid. It should be made of high quality materials. Jewelry lets you show off your personality. A It tells the world who you are.

Every piece of jewelry leaving my facility is stamped with the à jour stamp. à jour jewelry is jewelry that you can be proud of. Every piece is guaranteed with a warranty.

Do you love jewelry?

Jewelry is my passion. I design jewelry to be dynamic and feminine. I use only the finest materials, including 18Karat gold, platinum, diamonds, genuine precious stones and fine silver for my creations. My jewelry is designed to accentuate every movement of your body. Look at the play of the light and you will understand. Designer jewelry often lacks functionality. à jourJewelry.com creates jewelry that is comfortable, elegant, and fun to wear, as well as durable. I think women should be able to look and feel beautiful every day. At A Jour I make it possible. I not only make jewelry, but more important, I live jewelry. "à jour" is French, and means "up to date". "Mise á jour" is also a technical term used in the manufacture of fine jewelry, which describes the way the metal is cut away behind gemstones and diamonds to free the light flow It has also ornamental value. (See drawing)

"These would be the backs of various pieces prepared in the "mis á jour" technique. Because this technique requires a great deal of skill and detail work, it is becoming a lost art. At A Jour, however, I am keeping this tradition alive. A Jour, INC. began as Jewelry Prototype Development Company. I soon realized that my talents were being wasted in the industry. What I really wanted was to deal directly with you, my customer. My goal is to make high quality, fine jewelry wearable and functional. How would I accomplish this? First, by creating jewelry that is classy. Second, by dealing directly with you, the consumer, directly after production with no middleman involved.