A century ago, the papers both sides of the Atlantic were filled with excitement about ‘Cartier’s new bracelets’.
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174 years ago today, Louis Francois Cartier registered his first maker's mark, essentially signifying the beginning of Cartier.
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Such sad news about Prince Philip. It’s been moving to read so many tributes this weekend and see wonderful images of his 99 years. Adding to that in a very small way here with this photo – passed down to me by my grandfather Jean Jacques Cartier (who stands in the background in the glasses) - of one of the Duke of Edinburgh’s visits to Cartier London many decades ago.
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A little Cartier gold bird brooch with ruby eye for you all this Easter, perching on top of some sketches by my grandfather, Jean Jacques Cartier. As a child, I remember being mesmerised when he conjured up all types of creatures out of thin air with his trusty pencil.
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Made 68 years ago by Cartier London, it’s mounted in platinum and comprised of many diamonds of different cuts (brilliants, baguettes and marquises), including one of the finest pink diamonds in existence.
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Jewellery can mean many things to many people. Take engagement rings - much more than the value of their constituent parts, they become imbued with emotional weight too.
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Really fun to see my article in British Vogue - 'The Story Behind The Royal Family’s Enduring Love Affair With Cartier', complete with wonderfully evocative images of the royal family wearing Cartier jewels through time.
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The tonneau (translates as ‘barrel’) was one of Cartier’s earliest ever models, first created in 1906.
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The first Cartier piece I ever owned was a Trinity Ring that I was given by my parents when I turned 18. I loved it, so wearable and chic. It's made of three interlaced bands of yellow gold, white gold and pink gold which my grandfather Jean Jacques Cartier told me symbolised loyalty, friendship and love.
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Well, that was majestic! Thank you to all who joined Part I of 'The Cartiers and the British Royal Family' live session yesterday. It was such fun to explore the stories behind some of the phenomenal jewels in the Royal Collection with Caroline de Guitaut.
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When Jacques Cartier moved his family across the Atlantic to England in the 1920s, he found himself, for a jeweller, in the right place at the right time. “All of society seemed to be en fête,” the Duke of Windsor would recall of the postwar years.
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As far back as I can remember I’ve been fascinated by the links between the Cartiers and the British royal family. It was this relationship, perhaps above all others, which enabled the Cartier brothers to fulfil their childhood dream of turning their grandfather’s small Parisian store into the leading jewellery firm in the world
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Stories surrounding the origin of this ring are as numerous as its many names. What’s clear is that when Cartier launched the simple platinum, yellow gold and rose gold interlocking rings in 1924, the pared-back jewel —not a gemstone in sight—was a brave departure from the more extravagant accessories of the time.
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Jean Cocteau was an artist “to whom” according to Edith Wharton, “every great line of poetry was a sunrise, every sunset the foundation of the Heavenly City.” He was also an admirer of Cartier, writing in his early 20s that the jeweller was “a subtle magician who captures fragments of the moon on a thread of sun”.
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My grandfather told me stories about the inspiration behind the Cartier Panthers: how his father had been entranced by the big cats on trips to India through the 1920s and 30s, and how – on returning home - he used to love reading his young children The Jungle Book at night, lingering over illustrations of Bagheera the Panther.
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This Cartier diamond kokoshnik was made for Grand Duchess Vladimir, inspired by her purchase of a historic 5.22ct ruby once owned by Empress Josephine.
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Grand Duchess Vladimir, born Marie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, joined the Romanov Dynasty in 1874 when she married Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich, uncle to the last Emperor, #NicholasII. A prominent hostess in Saint Petersburg, she was known as the "grandest of all the grand duchesses”.
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In 2003, this 478 ct #sapphire sold for CHF 1.9mn at a Christies’ auction. 104 years earlier, it was the star of the show in a post-WW1 Cartier jewellery exhibition. King Ferdinand of Romania ended up buying it. He gave it to his glamorous wife, Queen Marie as a coronation gift and she wore it often, especially as it went so well with her newly acquired Cartier Vladimir #sapphiretiara.
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Princess Marie Bonaparte was quite a catch. Not only was she the g-g-niece of Napoleon, she was also wealthy through her mother’s family (real estate developers). No surprise then that when she was courted by the son of a King, it was considered an ideal match. In 1907, at 25 years old, she walked down the aisle with Prince George of Greece and Denmark in Athens.
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I’m so excited for this month’s talk when I’ll be joined by Prince Dimitri (the g-g-g-grandson of Tsar Alexander II) for a uniquely personal journey back in time to the opulent palaces of pre-revolutionary Russia.
Diamonds and high drama is a beguiling mix at the best of times but in the context of the Romanovs it becomes intoxicating. This image shows one of Cartier’s best clients of the early 20th century: #grandduchess Vladimir, wearing her Cartier #tiara and #devantdecorsage.
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