Explore Other Luminaries:

Ace Bailey
Andrew Quinn
Dave Alford
Don Carson

Dzeneta Arslanovic
Jason Kaplan
Stan Utley
Zev Nadler

Art Off the Wall

Each year, Experience Scottsdale profiles a selection of local celebrities, from restaurateurs and sports figures to artists and adventurers. We invite you to meet this year’s luminaries and find out what they have to say about living, working and enjoying life in Scottsdale.

French Designer Jeweler in the Scottsdale Arts District isn't just a jewelry shop – it's an experiential gallery that, according to owner French Thompson, carries some of the most unique collections in the country. "This is work that would stand out in any museum show," says Thompson.

Thompson's love affair with jewelry started more than 30 years ago after a visit to the Denver Art Museum, where he took in an exhibit showcasing contemporary designers. "This was not derivative work. Each was original, each was perfection," he says.

After 15 years as a jewelry maker for Don Bryant at The Borgata, in 1997 Thompson opened his own shop, where he showcases the original work of jewelry artists from around the world – Australia, Germany, Bali, Canada, Brazil and the United States. At any given time, shoppers find collections from 25 to 30 designers, each with a distinctive look.

"What I really do is collect artists," Thompson says. "These are the people that the industry mimics – the trendsetters. The pieces they create spark conversations because they are willing to take creative risks."

In addition to showcasing the artists, Thompson is a creator himself. His personal line focuses on eye-catching gems like tsavorite garnets and red tourmaline. And with such a variety of pieces from across the globe, it's hard to imagine how one would manage to consistently refresh inventory. Thompson combs through trade magazines and jewelry books on a regular basis to seek out cutting-edge designers.

"It's relationship-building," he says. "It's a bit like dating. You get to know the artist and their design and then you find out if it works. There are so many phenomenal designers out there, and I want to make sure they have a quality store to represent them."