Monaco’s most coveted jewellery honour, the Monaco Glamour Award, was proudly awarded in 2025 to Belgian jewellery designer and creative powerhouse Celine Roelens — a visionary artist who finds her greatest inspiration in strong, multifaceted women.
Born in 1980, Celine Roelens is a Belgian high-end jewellery designer, certified gemologist, and founder of the fine jewellery brands ‘Celine Roelens ‘ and ‘The Goldbeetle’. With deep artistic roots and a lifelong passion for craftsmanship and beauty, Celine has built a distinctive universe around rare gemstones, refined design, and personal expression.
Raised in a family of passionate jewellers, she was immersed in the world of gemstones and precious metals from an early age. Her parents were true artisans, and their family business instilled in her a profound love for everything that sparkles and shines.
Her natural creativity quickly emerged, setting her apart even as a child. She won numerous drawing and recitation contests and was actively involved in theater and musical performances.After an initial year studying Graphic Design, she felt an undeniable pull toward more tangible, hands-on creation. This led her to enroll in the prestigious goldsmith jewelry design program in Antwerp, Belgium. There, she immersed herself in the technical and artistic aspects of jewelry making. Her journey continued with internships in renowned ateliers across Italy and Germany, followed by professional experience at the Antwerp Diamond Club. She later obtained dual certification as a Diamond Grader and Gemologist at the Diamond High Council, solidifying her technical mastery of stones.
In 2015, in the theme “A la Carte”, Celine created her “Asparagulicious” jeweled hat. A masterpiece that earned her a well-deserved final place in the HRD Awards (international jewelry competition organized by the Diamond High Council). Her “asparagus hat” traveled the world for 2 years. The creation consists of no less than half a kilo of 18K gold and is set with more than 1,200 diamonds.
Luxury Monte-Carlo
In June 2025, Celine participated for the first time in the Luxury Monte-Carlo high jewellery event, a top international event where jewellery designers from all corners of the world present their most beautiful creations.
The captivating creations of Celine resulted in an amazing debut. She won first prize in the category ‘Monaco Glamour’ during this event.
Congratulations on winning the Grand Prize at Luxury Monte-Carlo 2025! What did this recognition mean to you personally and professionally?
“It was truly the icing on the cake, the ultimate recognition of all my hard work. As a child and teenager, I came to Monaco every year with my family, since our grandparents lived nearby. I remember walking past the world-renowned jewelry boutiques, completely in awe of the craftsmanship and elegance. To now be recognized here myself… if someone had told my younger self this would happen one day, I would have never believed them. That makes it all the more meaningful. It was incredibly heartwarming to see how many people reached out to congratulate me when I returned to Belgium,” - says Celine.
Which piece or collection did you showcase at the event, and what made it stand out to the jury?
“Two one-of-a-kind rings from my latest collections caught the jury’s eye.
One featured a unique bi-coloured pink tourmaline of 6.95ct in a special barrel-shaped cut, finished with a gradient of pink sapphires and diamonds.
The other showcased a rare mandarin garnet of 6.87ct surrounded by marquise-cut diamonds and orange sapphires.”
The combination of gemstone quality, expert craftsmanship, and intricate fishtail-style settings made the difference for the jury.
They were particularly enthusiastic about the design and the structure of the jewellery. The grand prize winner masterpiece was the one with the mandarin garnet, orange sapphires and diamonds.
Monaco attracts a very discerning clientele—how do you think your jewellery resonates with this audience?
“People in Monaco are accustomed to luxury and quality, so that’s definitely a plus. They appreciate my standards and craftsmanship.
Unfortunately, they usually only have access to major jewellery houses, which only use niche coloured stones in their high-end collections, and at extremely high prices.
Even though I run a small brand, my one-of-a-kind collections are much more accessible and exclusive. I also work custom-made, directly with clients, offering a much more personal and honest experience, something that’s rare even in Monaco. That’s where I can really make a difference.”
What was your first thought when your name was announced as the winner?
“‘It’s finally happening—haha!’ It felt a bit surreal to stand there. I got emotional and had to hold back tears, I’m a real sensitive soul. It was a pity that my husband couldn’t be there; he had to stay home because our oldest son had exams. But luckily, my father was there, proudly witnessing it all.”
What was the feedback from collectors, press, and fellow designers during the event?
“Fantastic! I could see from their faces that they were impressed. I also learned a lot from talking to designers from other continents, it was fascinating to hear how things work in their countries.”
Family Heritage
What inspired you to become a jewellery designer, and how did your journey begin?
“As a child, I was always into theatre and art, you could often find me in my father’s workshop, where I sculpted my first jewellery pieces in lost wax. My father would cast them in silver so I could finish them and give them to my friends at school. I inherited my sense of aesthetics from my creative mother, and my technical-commercial side from my father.”
How has your Belgian heritage shaped your creative direction?
“Our workshop and jewellery boutique were on the ground floor of a typical Flemish townhouse. We lived above it. The house was incredibly inspiring, with mosaic decorations, herringbone parquet floors, and fireplaces inlaid with opals. The boutique’s entrance was impressive and luxurious, with high ceilings and marble stairs. Clients could watch my father and the other goldsmiths at work through the store. I often travelled with my parents abroad to source the most beautiful gemstones, and we were frequently at the Diamond Club in Antwerp.
I was truly born into it. My father was very demanding and punctual, not the easiest teacher. But I later reaped the benefits of his knowledge, for which I’m deeply grateful. My mother was a top salesperson who made my father’s jewels shine in stunning displays—she also laid the foundation for what I’m capable of today.”
How would you describe the DNA of Maison Celine Roelens?
“My DNA, inherited from my family, is about uncompromising quality, combining the best and most exclusive gemstones with timeless, classy design and exceptional craftsmanship.
A golden rule: if I don’t stand behind it or find it 100% beautiful, I can’t sell it. My gut feeling has to be right. I don’t just make and sell jewellery, I create and share emotions. My pieces must evoke feelings inspired by nature’s beauty and the special occasions for which they’re given or bought.”
What is the most important lesson you learned from your father?
“First, follow a good education and gain plenty of experience elsewhere, beyond what I learned in my father’s workshop. I studied jewellery design at the academy, became a goldsmith and gemstone setter, and interned at various ateliers in Valenza, Italy. I also earned certifications as a gemologist and diamond grader and worked at the Diamond Club in Antwerp. I worked with my parents for 10 years before continuing their legacy.
Second, ‘What you don’t have, you can’t sell.’ Dare to invest, take risks, as long as your gut says it’s right. Believe in yourself. On a small tray, you can easily have €50,000 worth of materials, these are major investments, so I always keep that advice in mind.
And lastly, if you see a gemstone that keeps you up at night, buy it! Don’t hesitate. We won’t keep finding top-tier niche gemstones forever, they’re becoming increasingly rare. Unlike white diamonds, which are found globally, niche gems like ParaIba tourmaline are sourced from only a few places, or even a single country. Just 0.02% of all mined gemstones are top ‘eye-clean’ quality, and after cutting, only 20% of the rough stone is usable, the rest is lost.”
Finding Inspiration, Sourcing Gemstones
Do you remember your very first jewellery design?
“I believe so. My first commercial design, before that I made artistic pieces just for myself, was a yellow gold ring with two angular prongs holding a cone-shaped cabochon amethyst set upside down. The band had angular facets as well.
I also made it in different colour combinations of gold and gemstones. It was a real success, timeless yet modern. To this day, I still see clients wearing that ring, even 26 years later. I must’ve been about 19 when I launched that collection. It’s funny, those ladies still tell me, “Celine, I bought one of your first designs!” The appreciation and love from my clients is huge, it’s a unique and touching feeling.”
Can you walk us through the creative process from sketch to finished piece?
“For my one-of-a-kind collections and custom pieces, the creative process always starts with finding the right gemstone. I then explore how to best showcase this rarity in a piece of jewellery. When working with coloured stones, it’s important to keep things classy and niche, avoiding a “colouring book” effect, if you know what I mean.
The key is to combine the right gemstones with perfect Belgian craftsmanship and a variety of setting or finishing techniques. The magic lies in sensing the right combinations.
My goal is to create one-of-a-kind jewellery that still inspires awe even decades later when passed down to the next generation, jewels that reflect timelessness, class, and sustainability, much like my favourite French brand, Hermès.
They remain true to tradition and quality, just like I do. They also choose to produce locally and in small ateliers. While you can’t really compare an Hermès handbag to a oneof-a-kind jewel, in my craft, we simply can’t make two identical pieces, each gemstone is unique in colour, size, clarity, and cut.
When I sketch, I start with a mood board of ideas, then draw the final design in watercolour. My 3D designer uses this to make a wax print, which I or the client (for custom pieces) can try on to evaluate wearability, height, width, etc. Once finalized, the design is cast in the chosen gold colour. Then, goldsmiths and gem-setters complete the piece and place the stones.
After a thorough quality check, the engraver applies our master stamp and official hallmarks. The piece is then certified for authenticity and clarity by an independent lab in Antwerp.
Next, I handle marketing and the photoshoot for social media and our website. Pricing is also a big part of the process. A successful sale means we can grow and create even more beautiful pieces, though some gemstones in my collection are no longer for sale because I’m keeping them as investments.
I also created an intriguing collection, ‘The Goldbeetle,’ inspired by the beetle as a good-luck charm. These necklaces, rings, and earrings allow you to insert a photo, ashes of a loved one, or a meaningful engraving.”
What criteria do you use when selecting gemstones for your collections?
“First and foremost, they must make my heart race, thanks to their intense, unique colour, flawless clarity, and irresistible brilliance. It’s like picking a puppy from a litter, you just know which one is meant for you! I’m constantly sourcing gemstones.
Thanks to my global network, I receive daily offers. My cutters know I only accept the best and refuse to compromise. Because of our long-standing relationships, I often get first pick before the stones head to global fairs.”
How do you ensure your materials are ethically sourced?
“I work only with mine owners and cutters with whom my father and I have built trusted relationships over the years. This ensures I know exactly where the gemstones are sourced from and under what conditions, for instance, avoiding child labour.
Often, these are small, independent, family-run mines in remote areas. My brokers go directly to the mines for me every month and know the on-the-ground reality.
Technically, I could do this myself, but time is a constraint, and culturally, this remains a male-dominated field. In any case, the entire market has become much more transparent and regulated compared to my father’s time. Every gemstone is certified by an independent lab, which indicates whether it’s been treated and where it was found.
I only work with untreated, natural gemstones, the ‘real thing.’ No lab-grown gems for me, they have no resale value and require tons of energy to produce. The pure gold I buy also carries an ‘ethically sourced’ hallmark.”
Which gemstone do you believe is most underrated—and why?
“Definitely all niche coloured stones. Compared to white diamonds, they’re still undervalued and far too inexpensive.
Colourless diamonds are found all over the world and look the same regardless of origin. Under a microscope, you can’t even tell where they’re from. Yet white diamonds are heavily marketed to make consumers believe they’re rare.
Niche coloured stones, however, are far more exclusive and scarce, often found in only one place in the world. When those sources run out, that’s it.
These gems were formed millions of years ago when the Earth was born, they won’t be made again. Because of their rarity, large jewellery houses rarely use them, so they remain unknown to the general public.
For example, tsavorite, an intense green gem, is found only in the Tsavo Park region between Kenya and Tanzania. But beware: the stones sold to tourists there are often those rejected by professionals due to poor clarity or cut.
I love advising clients on investment-worthy gems that we know will soon be impossible to find, like Mahenge spinel, mandarin garnet, or lagoon tourmaline.
Clients often give me a nice budget, and I carefully search for interesting pieces, it can take weeks or even months.”
Are there any materials or techniques you are especially passionate about?
“As a child, I was fascinated by sapphire’s colour variations. While 91% are blue, 9% are pink, orange (like Padparadscha), green, or purple, and these are the ones I find truly special. Their light refraction is intense due to their hardness. Sapphire is almost as hard as diamond. But finding intense-coloured, well-cut pink, orange, green, and purple sapphires is tough, they’re often too pastel or dull.
They usually have to be cut in their country of origin (Sri Lanka or Madagascar) before export. Sometimes I buy a poorly cut but beautifully coloured sapphire and have it re-cut in Germany, factoring in the inevitable loss in carat weight, which can be challenging cost-wise.
I also remain in awe of mandarin garnet, watermelon tourmaline, lagoon tourmaline, or Paraiba tourmaline. It’s always a celebration when I get to acquire one.”
“I sell emotion"
What story are you hoping each jewel tells?
“I don’t just sell jewellery, I sell emotion. It’s not just a product, but something valuable that was gifted by someone special or bought for yourself at a meaningful moment. That story, the process, the people, the emotion, makes it all so unique. My clients are my driving force. They return so much love and appreciation, and that’s a constant source of inspiration.”
What inspires you outside of the jewellery world, art, travel, architecture?
“Unfortunately, I don’t find much time to travel for pleasure, though I hope to make more time for it in the future. Thailand and Namibia are on my bucket list. My husband and I recently had the chance to buy a unique farmhouse in the heart of the Flemish Ardennes. The rolling landscapes are breathtaking, like being on holiday in Tuscany every day, except for the weather!
Right now, we’re in the middle of renovation and interior planning. At the moment, we’re staying at the lovely boutique hotel Nomad in Altea, Spain, where we’re getting tons of inspiration. I constantly take pictures of details that move me, to later incorporate them into our future home. I also love buying colorful fruit bowls and ceramics at local markets.
It’s a joy to work on our dream home together with my husband.”
How do trends influence your creative decisions, if at all?
“I rarely pay attention to trends because I believe they don’t apply to high-end jewellery. Trends are fleeting, and that’s not what my creations stand for. My main source of influence is my clients, how they dress, how they respond to my work.”
Is there a piece you consider your signature creation?
“My talisman collection “The Goldbeetle” is definitely one of the most recognizable. In Belgium, well-known singers and TV hosts wear my creations on national television, and I always get a lot of feedback. People often recognize my jewellery because of the colorful and special gemstones.”
How do you balance the creative and business sides of running your maison?
“Maintaining a balance between creativity and business isn’t easy. But after 25 years, I can say it feels natural and flows smoothly. As a creative person, admin is definitely not my favorite task. I do a lot myself and find it hard to delegate. Thankfully, my right-hand woman Michèle, also a gemologist, has been taking on more of that work recently.
As a small business, there’s so much involved in selling jewellery. I always say I wear many hats in one job: sourcing gemstones, negotiating prices, designing collections, marketing, pricing and budgeting, working directly with clients, and handling admin. And I do all this while also raising two kids and being married to an entrepreneurial husband. It can be intense and challenging, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
My kids often say: ‘Mom, you are your jewellery.’ That’s how passionate I am. The freedom and independence, especially as a woman, are priceless.”
Return to Monaco
Did you have a chance to explore Monaco? If so, how did you find the country?
“Oh, I know Monaco quite well! Many years ago, my grandparents built a stunning villa “au bord de mèr” in Cap Martin, Roquebrune. Every year, our whole family would stay there for a month, those childhood memories are so precious. I often visited Monaco with my mom and sisters to go shopping and later with my husband and kids to spot beautiful cars. My daughter Claire is the biggest fan of Charles Leclerc!
Even today, I love coming back. I still feel at home in this tiny but truly extraordinary, glamorous country.”
Can we expect to see Maison Celine Roelens return to Monaco or expand in the region?
“Definitely! The award confirmed it, we need to return and showcase my collections to the Monégasque public. A photo doesn’t do my jewellery justice; it has to be seen in person to appreciate the brilliance.
I also love sharing my knowledge about niche coloured stones. In Belgium, as a gemologist, I frequently give lectures. It’s amazing to see how people view coloured gemstones differently afterwards.
It would be a dream to fly to Monaco and do something similar for a select group of interested guests. At such events, we always bring a large selection of loose gemstones and jewellery for clients to choose from. This custom service is truly one-of-a-kind.”
Did the Monte-Carlo experience inspire any new ideas or directions for your upcoming collections?
“Absolutely! It confirmed that I should keep following my gut and keep investing in top-tier gemstones. It was also valuable to learn which colours were most popular among Monégasque clients.
Blue was a clear favourite, think tanzanite, Santa Maria aquamarine, and blue zircons. Not surprising when you consider Monaco’s stunning azure coastline.”
The Legacy
Today, she runs her own design studio located in the historic heart of Ghent, Belgium. Her atelier is the birthplace of vibrant, one-of-a-kind pieces that fuse traditional craftsmanship with a strong, contemporary aesthetic.
What sets Celine Roelens’ jewelry apart is her unwavering focus on colour, specifically, the use of extremely rare and naturally vivid gemstones. She specializes in exceptional stones such as Padparadscha sapphire, Paraïba tourmaline, mandarin garnet, spinel, indicolite, rubellite and Santa Maria aquamarine. Gems that are far rarer and more exclusive than diamonds. Each piece is designed around the gem, not the other way around.
This deep respect for the intrinsic beauty of gemstones defines her creative philosophy. For Celine, the choice of colour is not only a stylistic Decision, it is a way to connect emotionally with the wearer. She believes that colour can highlight a woman’s personality and empower her in her daily life.
Her sourcing process is rigorous and uncompromising, often taking months and involving personal relationships with trusted international suppliers. Her eye for quality and detail ensures that each gem used meets the highest standards of beauty, durability, and uniqueness.
A quintessential symbol of her design ethos is The Goldbeetle collection, launched in 2020. Inspired by the rare and luminous Chrysina resplendens beetle from Costa Rica, a centuries-old talisman believed to bring luck, wisdom, and protection, each beetle in the collection is handcrafted in Belgium.
What legacy do you hope your jewellery will leave behind?
“Each of my pieces carries my master stamp. It’s barrel-shaped and includes a symbol and original number. Even hundreds of years from now, it will always be traceable to me as the creator, which is a beautiful thought.
Due to the valuable materials, my jewellery will always be cherished and passed down through generations, even long after I’m gone.”
Celine finds her greatest inspiration in strong, multifaceted women. Her mission is to create jewelry that resonates with their spirit, pieces that are more than decorative, that speak to who they are.
EXCLUSIVE:
Purchase a downloadable PDF file of this interview made exclusively with the Living in Monaco magazine.