Jean Dinh Van (1927–2022) was a French jeweller of Vietnamese origin and a leading figure in the renewal of French jewellery during the second half of the twentieth century. Trained in drawing at the École des Arts Décoratifs and in metalwork at the École de Joaillerie in Paris, he joined Cartier in 1950, where he refined his skills as a jeweller for nearly a decade.

In 1965, he founded his own jewellery house in Paris and developed a resolutely modern approach to jewellery, creating pieces designed for everyday wear rather than solely for special occasions. Inspired by sculpture, geometric forms and everyday objects, he transformed elements such as locks, handcuffs, razor blades and chain links into a distinctive and immediately recognizable visual language. His creations are characterized by clean lines, balanced volumes and a constant pursuit of simplicity.

By breaking away from the traditional codes of high jewellery, Jean Dinh Van made a significant contribution to the renewal of French jewellery design in the 1960s and 1970s, at the intersection of design and sculpture.

En 1965, il fonde sa propre maison à Paris et développe une conception résolument moderne du bijou, pensée pour accompagner la vie quotidienne plutôt que pour les seules grandes occasions. Inspiré par la sculpture, les formes géométriques et les objets usuels, il détourne notamment serrures, menottes, lames de rasoir et maillons pour créer un vocabulaire immédiatement reconnaissable. Ses créations se caractérisent par la pureté de leurs lignes, l’équilibre des volumes et une recherche constante de simplicité.

En libérant le bijou des codes traditionnels de la haute joaillerie, Jean Dinh Van contribue profondément au renouvellement de la création joaillière française des années 1960 et 1970, à la frontière du design et de la sculpture.