Jewellery, gem and pearl specialist, author and publisher Didier Brodbeck – celebrated for his countless contributions to the trade – passed away in Paris on February 7, 2025. He was 84.

Brodbeck had a comprehensive background in business and communications, having graduated from renowned French business schools EDHEC and INSEAD and worked as a former advertising executive at J Walter Thompson specialising in the luxury industry, particularly watches and jewellery.

He was also a long-time consultant for the GIE Perles de Tahiti and the Brazilian Institute of Gems and Precious Metals. 

In 1999, Brodbeck established and became editorial director of A World of Dreams, the first French magazine for the general public dedicated specifically to jewellery and watches. The magazine, also published in Russian and Chinese, is still available in newsstands today.

A key figure in Place Vendôme and at major jewellery fairs around the world, Brodbeck was known for his insatiable curiosity and sense of humor, on top of his journalistic pursuits, which were instrumental to the success of Dreams.

His rich repository of written works include, Journal Imaginaire d'Abraham-Louis Breguet (1991); Le diamant dans tout son éclat (1992); Horlogerie made in France (1996) and The Tahitian Pearl As Seen By Creative Jewelers (1997).

He also wrote two books on the phenomenon of counterfeits, Chic et Toc: Le vrai livre des contrefaçons (1990) and Faux ou Vrai (1993). 

Brodbeck was likewise a prominent figure at international jewellery events and conferences where he talked about jewellery trends and trade developments. By mid-2000, he was back to writing books, including Bijoux (2006) in collaboration with photographer Thomas Dhellemmes; and Le Miracle de la Perle d’Or (2007) on behalf of the Philippine Association of Pearl Producers/Exporters. 

He also wrote a biography dedicated to Brazilian jeweller Ruth Grieco, published in 2012; and co-authored Tanzanite, Born from Lightning (2016) with Hayley A. Henning. In 2019, he contributed to the production of Black Opal, only from Australia while Jewelmer, beyond the golden pearl – his latest published work dedicated to the golden pearl of the Philippines – came out in 2021.