Jean Prounis, founder of Prounis

WHITEbIRD opens the new year with a rare encounter: the arrival, in exclusive French preview, of the jewellery house PROUNIS.

Founded in New York in 2017 by young designer Jean Prounis, PROUNIS creates jewellery in 22-carat gold inspired by ancient civilisations and antique jewellery. Delicate granulation, generously scaled cabochons and sculptural curves give each piece the feeling of having emerged from another era, as if unearthed from a forgotten treasure.

Drawing from Etruscan, Greek and Nubian worlds, these creations recall ancient forms and original gestures. Positioned between jewellery and object, PROUNIS restores jewellery to its earliest function: an object that patinates, is passed down, and becomes both an intimate archive and a fragment of History.

In her early 30's, Jean Prounis already seems inhabited by an ancient memory, shaped by her Greek heritage. From her hands, and those of her New York artisans, unique pieces are born, the result of slow, millennia-old techniques and carefully selected stones.

An interview with Jean Prounis, a young designer with an old soul and golden hands.

1.At only 32 years old, you are already exhibiting alongside some of the world’s leading designers across the globe. What is your background? When did jewellery become your way of thinking about the world and expressing ideas?

Prior to launching Prounis, I studied jewelry and metalsmithing in college. A course in ancient metalsmithing techniques with the renowned goldsmith Cecelia Bauer cemented my path and love for jewelry as a means of expression. The handwrought processes I learned then remain central to our practice today, such as chain making, bezel setting, repoussé and granulation. These techniques and preservation of past awakened a deep sense of connection to my Greek heritage and to the stories of my youth. Jewelry became not just a medium, but a way of understanding history, memory and time.

2.Your creations exist between jewellery and object. Where do the inspirations for these singular pieces come from?

I draw from my love of antiquities, bridging my family heritage with the age-old craft of handwrought jewelry. Initially I sought to make pieces for myself, homages to the high-karat wonders enclosed in glass vitrines at places like the Louvre, The Met and the British Museum. I wanted to create contemporary pieces that carried that same sense of timelessness and reverence, objects that could exist in dialogue with history while remaining entirely wearable and relevant today.

3.Twenty-two carat gold is your signature. Why this choice, and what does it allow you to express, aesthetically and symbolically, that other alloys cannot?

22-karat gold carries a profound historical weight. Its color, density and warmth immediately evoke the past. It's the same alloy of gold used in many ancient civilizations, and its sheer weight alone communicates value and permanence. Aesthetically, 22-karat gold has a beautiful, buttery quality that lower karat alloys simply cannot replicate. 

4.The past is omnipresent in your work. Why is memory, whether familial or historical, so important to you?

Memory and the past are our roots. I believe it's essential to honor and value them. In my work, I'm constantly in conversation with the past, not to reproduce it per se, but to carry its essence forward. Family memory, cultural heritage, and historical traditions in craft all inform the objects we create. They're reminders that we are part of a continuum, and that the objects we make today will become the memories and heirlooms of tomorrow.

5.PROUNIS is also a family story. You pay tribute to your great-grandparents, founders of the legendary restaurant Versailles. How does this heritage inform your brand or the design of your jewellery-objects?

The Versailles lives on in the visual and material language of Prounis in many ways. The sage green silks textiles that defined the restaurant have become our signature brand color. There was such care and craftsmanship in every detail, a commitment to beauty, quality, and timelessness that I seek to continue. My great-grandparents created a space that honored tradition while offering something genuinely special and personal.

6.Your pieces engage in a dialogue with Antiquity without ever reproducing it. How do you strike the balance between historical reference and creative freedom?

My approach is one of an homage rather than replication. I’m interested in translating the spirit, techniques and intentions of historical jewelry into something that feels alive today.

7.Among the pieces you are presenting at WHITEbIRD, which one is closest to your heart, and what story does it tell?

The Duo Loop-in-Loop Chain, it truly is closest to my heart in that I personally wear it everyday! The chain tells the story of ancient handwoven loop-in-loop chains, a technique that dates back thousands of years and requires incredible skill and patience. The clasp on the chain is another nod to antiquity, which features our signature Mycenae-inspired fibula clasp, a.k.a. the first safety pin. This piece embodies everything we stand for, ancient reference, contemporary wearability, and the kind of craftsmanship that transforms jewelry into a lasting object of meaning.

8.You work using ancient techniques. How did you learn them, and why was it essential for you to reactivate them today?

I learned these techniques through dedicated study with master craftspeople like Cecelia Bauer, and through our own research and practice in our studio. Reactivating these ancient methods today feels essential, especially in this age of technology and mass production. I'm committed to preserving craft, to keeping alive the knowledge and skills that have been passed down through generations. Prounis is enmeshed in New York's jewelry district and is deeply committed to keeping manufacturing alive in New York City while relying on recyclable and responsible materials. These techniques create a different kind of finished piece, one made slowly and intentionally.

9.You make the jewellery yourself, alongside some of Manhattan’s finest jewellers. What does a typical day at PROUNIS look like?

We make all our jewelry in our New York studio. Devon is our senior goldsmith who has worked with me for over six years, and Jia works alongside her, they're both incredibly talented. We also collaborate with several specialized jewelers in the jewelry district for certain techniques.
A typical day is wonderfully varied. It might include working with clients in our showroom, reviewing intricate details on custom pieces, developing new ways to execute a particular design challenge, researching historical references for upcoming collections, or going through our extensive gem folders selecting stones for new work. There's a lovely rhythm between the creative, the technical, and the interpersonal aspects of the work. Each day is different but always grounded in the hands-on craft that's at the heart of everything we do.

10.Since Prounis was founded, what challenge stands out the most? What are the achievements you are most proud of, and which difficulties did you not expect to face?

The price of gold has certainly been a significant challenge! The dramatic rise in gold prices over recent years has affected pricing and accessibility. However, it's proven our pieces are more than just jewelry, but also a wise investment. The value of 22-karat gold, combined with our craftsmanship means our pieces truly appreciate over time, both materially and sentimentally.
I'm most proud of building a practice that stays true to our values. Creating a sustainable business model around slow craft in a fast-paced world wasn't something I fully anticipated the difficulty of, but it's been deeply rewarding.

11.In our New York City Guide, our New York-based designers share their favourite places. Which ones do you return to, to meet other creatives or to nourish your creativity day by day?

I love my daily walk from my apartment to our studio. Each day, it reignites my love for New York and the endless paths you can take through the city. On the way, I pass through Washington Square Park and often stop for a coffee at Café Integral.
For inspiration, I return again and again to New York’s incredible museums- the Met, the Noguchi Museum, and the Museum of Natural History.
To nourish myself creatively and physically, I like to pause from the city, whether it’s surfing in Rockaway or hiking in upstate New York.
To meet other creatives, I enjoy inviting a friend or someone I admire to dinner and learning more about them. I Sodi is my favorite place to do so.

11. Chinese mini-portrait:

If PROUNIS JEWELRY were...

a stone: Star Sapphire

a flower: Oncidium

a dish: Spaghetti Limone

a work of art: a Rothko, he allows pigments and natural elements to do the speaking and I feel we try to exude this with our material selections

a book or an author: a family owned book passed down, with notes in the margins

a place or a landscape: golden hour, anywhere

13.How do you feel about joining WHITEbIRD, and what would you like to share with our customers?

I'm incredibly excited to join WHITEbIRD. Paris has provided a wealth of inspiration to me over the years. I did an exchange photography program in France for a summer when I was 14, and we spent a couple weeks in Paris. The city's history, design, and refinement left a lasting impression that profoundly influenced my design sense. There's something about Parisian aesthetics, the attention to detail, the reverence for craft, the way beauty is woven into daily life, that resonates deeply with the Prounis philosophy.

I am so honored to have my collection in the city that got me started on this creative journey! To WHITEbIRD's customers, I'd love to share that each Prounis piece is made to be worn, loved, and passed down, these are objects designed to patinate beautifully with time, to become part of your story and eventually part of your legacy.

Thank you for answering all our questions and welcome to Prounis collection!