DEBACQ and 1812: A Parisian Name, Reintroduced
The history behind the DEBACQ name reaches back to a Parisian jewelry business established in 1812. Today, we have reintroduced DEBACQ with a more accessible approach: expressive pieces for the way we dress now. This is a look at the historical name, the jewelry that survives in the record, and the purpose of the collection today.
Why 1812 is part of the DEBACQ story
The date belongs to the beginnings of the business that would become known as Debacq & Cie. In its account of the jeweler, Hancocks London traces those origins to Raymond Sabe, who established a business manufacturing and trading gold jewelry in Paris in 1812.
That distinction matters: 1812 marks the beginning of the historical enterprise, not the first appearance of every later version of its name. The story developed through different people and partnerships. It is more interesting than a date printed beneath a logo.
From the early business to Debacq & Cie
Jeweler and researcher Jean-Jacques Richard records an association between Sinice Debacq and Victor Sabe in 1838, and dates the name Debacq et Cie to 1868. His illustrated history of Debacq brings together period records, photographs and family accounts.
Historic references use forms including Debacq & Cie and Debacq et Cie. Our present-day brand is DEBACQ: the name reintroduced for a contemporary collection, with a different approach to what a jewelry wardrobe can be.
- 1812
- Raymond Sabe establishes the Parisian jewelry business from which the historical house developed.
- 1868
- Richard's research dates the adoption of Debacq et Cie to this period.
- Late 19th century
- Surviving jewelry attributed to Debacq & Cie includes elaborate floral diamond pieces, documented in auction records.
- Today
- DEBACQ is reintroduced with a contemporary collection and the aim of making distinctive jewelry more accessible.
What the surviving jewelry reveals
One record gives the history a tangible form. Christie's catalogued an 1880s floral diamond ornament and brooch attributed to Debacq & Cie, accompanied by a fitted case bearing the name. The piece included flowerheads mounted en tremblant, allowing movement.
The Christie's catalogue entry also describes fittings that allowed some of the firm's jewels to be worn in different ways. For us, that invites a question that still matters: how does a piece become part of the life of the person wearing it?
The historical business did not remain unchanged. Richard's account follows the later Peyret family chapter and a decline in activity during the twentieth century. The contemporary collection is a reintroduction of the name, not jewelry preserved from those workshops.
DEBACQ today: a name reintroduced, a wider invitation
Today’s DEBACQ is a new, independent maison reintroducing the name through a contemporary collection. Our aim is not to recreate the wardrobe of another century. It is to make distinctive jewelry something more people can enjoy wearing: a sculpted hoop with a familiar shirt, a line of stones above a plain neckline, a ring chosen simply because its shape feels right.
Accessibility is part of that intention. We want choosing a piece to feel personal, rather than reserved for a rare occasion or a fine-jewelry budget. The collection is built around different ways of wearing jewelry, from a small daily detail to a more expressive evening choice.
DEBACQ is the name we use today. You can read about the current house on our Maison DEBACQ page, or explore the visual introduction to the historical story on our 1812 page.
A more accessible collection, clearly described
Today's DEBACQ collection includes 18K gold-plated and 18K white-gold-plated finishes over brass, with cubic zirconia in stone-set designs. These are plated pieces, not solid-gold jewelry; cubic zirconia is not diamond.
That is a different material proposition from the antique diamond jewels described in auction catalogues. We make that difference clear so you can choose for the design, the materials and the way you plan to wear the piece. Our materials and care guide explains the finishes and how to look after them.
A closer look at the collection today
A single pair of earrings can express the current direction without needing to reproduce a historical jewel. The Sculpted Teardrop Hoops place a pear-cut stone within a curved metal outline: a contrast between polished form and a small point of light.
Questions about DEBACQ and its history
What does 1812 refer to?
It refers to the origins of the Parisian jewelry business established by Raymond Sabe, which later became known as Debacq & Cie. It is a historical reference, not the production date of the jewelry in today's collection.
Is the current brand called DEBACQ or Debacq & Cie?
The current brand is DEBACQ. Debacq & Cie is a name found in historical records of the Parisian jeweler. Today's collection is presented under the shorter DEBACQ name.
Where can I explore DEBACQ jewelry today?
Visit the official DEBACQ online store to browse the current collection. Individual product pages describe the materials, available options and current prices.
The next chapter is in the wearing
History gives the name context. What happens next is more personal: the earrings you reach for before leaving home, the ring you choose for yourself, the piece that becomes part of a familiar outfit. That is the invitation of DEBACQ today.
Discover DEBACQ jewelry
Written by Ben Levante
