The Cartier Diamond That Almost Went to Jacqueline Onassis
In 1969, Cartier bought a 69.42-carat diamond at auction for $1.05 million. The press speculated it would go to Jackie Onassis. It went to Richard Burton — for Elizabeth Taylor.
Read more →Topic
Famous Clients
The maharajas, royals and socialites whose commissions shaped Cartier's greatest work. From the Delhi Durbar to Hollywood.
52 reference terms · 25 posts
Reference
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Morton Plant The American railroad and steamship magnate whose Fifth Avenue townhouse became the Cartier New York premises, acquired through a transaction that has become one of the firm's most retold stories.
From the Blog
A Natural Pearl Necklace Made for Marjorie Merriweather Post
Another fabulous Cartier jewel spotted in Washington — a 4-stranded natural pearl necklace made for Marjorie Merriweather Post in 1936, with the most jaw-dropping diamond back.
Read more →
The Cartiers and Their Pearls: Webinar Summary
Natural pearls were once the most valuable gems in the world, and the Cartiers built much of their early reputation on them. A summary of the Hillwood estate webinar with Francesca Cartier Brickell.
Read more →
Bahrain: Exploring the Land of Pearls
What an incredible trip to the land of pearls. Almost seems surreal.
Read more →
The Cartiers and the Pearl Market
One hundred and ten years ago, Jacques Cartier arrived in Bahrain for the first time. Writing home to his brother Louis, he described his mission: to investigate the pearl market and find the most effective way to purchase pearls.
Read more →
Rest in Peace, Queen Elizabeth
Like so many, I've been shaken and really saddened by the death of Queen Elizabeth II. What an incredible monarch, and indeed person - in so many ways.
Read more →
Jacques Cartier’s Library - Behind the Scenes
Design inspiration - going behind the scenes in Jacques Cartier’s library
Read more →
The Nizam of Hyderabad Cartier Necklace
The story of the Nizam of Hyderabad Cartier necklace — and how Queen Elizabeth II wore it in her first official portraits as the new Queen.
Read more →
Cartier and the Maharaja
Repost @bazaarindia - CARTIER AND THE MAHARAJA: In a Bazaar exclusive, Francesca Cartier Brickell, a descendant of the iconic jewellery family, retrac...
Read more →
The Cartier Diamond Part II
(Read The Cartier Diamond Part I first) After Kenmore won the newly named 69.42ct Cartierdiamond, Richard Burton, the underbidder, was furious.
Read more →
The Cartier Diamond Part I
Quite a few records broken at auction recently, which reminded me of a great auction story: the 1969 battle between #RichardBurton and #RobertKenmore ...
Read more →
Prince Philip visiting English Art Works
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.
Read more →
The Williamson Pink Diamond Cartier Brooch
Anyone else love the Queen's Williamson diamond brooch? Made 68 years ago by Cartier London, it's mounted in platinum and comprised of many diamonds of...
Read more →
Wallis Simpson's Cartier London Engagement Ring
Jewellery means many things to many people. Wallis Simpson's Cartier engagement ring went further — it came to symbolise the choice between love and duty.
Read more →
The Story Behind The Royal Family’s Enduring Love Affair With Cartier
Really fun to see my article in British Vogue — 'The Story Behind The Royal Family's Enduring Love Affair With Cartier' — complete with wonderfully...
Read more →
Thank you to all who joined Part I of 'The Cartiers and the British Royal Family'
Well, that was majestic! Thank you to all who joined Part I of 'The Cartiers and the British Royal Family' live session yesterday.
Read more →
Pearls for your Debutante Daughter
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.
Read more →
The Cartier London Halo Tiara
The Cartier Halo tiara: made by Cartier London in 1936, worn by Princess Elizabeth on her wedding day, and by Kate Middleton in 2011.
Read more →
Cartier Diamond Kokoshnik
When it comes to tiaras, it's hard to beat those commissioned by the Romanovs.
Read more →
Grand Duchess Vladimir: A legendary Cartier Client
Grand Duchess Vladimir, born Marie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, joined the Romanov Dynasty in 1874 when she married Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich, unc...
Read more →
Queen Marie of Romania’s Cartier Sapphire Pendant
In 2003, this 478 ct sapphire sold for CHF 1.9mn at a Christies’ auction.
Read more →
Princess Marie Bonaparte's Cartier Tiara
Princess Marie Bonaparte was quite a catch. Not only was she the great-great-niece of Napoleon, she was also wealthy through her mother's family.
Read more →
The Cartiers and The Romanovs
I'm so excited for this month's talk when I'll be joined by Prince Dimitri — the great-great-great-grandson of Tsar Alexander II — for a uniquely personal...
Read more →
Grace Kelly's Cartier Engagement Rings
A bit of Hollywood glamour now... Grace Kelly, who was given not one but two Cartier engagement rings by her Prince Charming, Prince Rainier of Monaco.
Read more →
Maharajas and Mughal Magnificence
Fascinating to see this treasure trove of Indian art coming up for auction at Christie's in New York.
Read more →Related Webinars
Episode 10
The Cartiers and their Pearls
Francesca Cartier Brickell discusses The Cartiers and the remarkable story of the family behind the iconic jewelry empire.
Watch webinar →
Episode 9
The Cartiers and the Maharajas - Part II
The extraordinary commissions and legendary jewels created for Indian royalty, including the Patiala Necklace and the deep relationships between the Cartier brothers and the maharajas.
Watch webinar →
Episode 8
The Cartiers and the Maharajas - Part I
How the Cartier brothers built relationships with Indian princes and maharajas, exploring the cultural exchange and the remarkable jewels that emerged from these royal commissions.
Watch webinar →
Episode 7
The Cartiers and The British Crown - Part II
The continued relationship between Cartier and British royalty, including the iconic commissions and the firm's role as royal jeweler to multiple generations.
Watch webinar →
Episode 6
The Cartiers and The British Crown - Part I
The special relationship between the Cartier brothers and the British royal family, from Edward VII's patronage to the most famous royal commissions.
Watch webinar →
Episode 4
The Cartiers and Marjorie Merriweather Post
The fascinating story of one of America's wealthiest heiresses and her extraordinary relationship with Cartier, including her legendary collection of jewels and objets d'art.
Watch webinar →
Episode 3
The Cartiers and The Romanovs
The dramatic story of Cartier's relationship with the Russian Imperial family, from the height of their patronage to the revolution and the dispersal of the legendary Romanov jewels.
Watch webinar →
Episode 2
The Cartiers and The Maharajas
An introduction to the legendary relationship between Cartier and the Indian princes, setting the stage for the extraordinary commissions and cultural exchange that would follow.
Watch webinar →
The Cartiers: Bejewelled India
In 1911, the youngest Cartier brother, Jacques, sailed to India for the Delhi Durbar with a pearl expert and gem-laden bags. The maharajas he met on those early trips would shape Cartier's designs — and its fortunes — for decades.
Watch webinar →
Cartier Stories: Tutti Frutti Origins and Pierre's Great Depression Marketing
An interview tracing two connected stories: the Indian origins of Cartier's Tutti Frutti jewels — the carved rubies, emeralds, and sapphires that became synonymous with the firm's style — and how Pierre Cartier navigated the Great Depression with unconventional marketing that kept New York's doors open.
Watch webinar →
Jacques Cartier: A 100-Year Legacy of Bahraini Pearls
Jacques Cartier made multiple trips to Bahrain to buy natural pearls directly from the trading families there. This film explores his legacy in the region and the extraordinary role Bahraini pearls played in Cartier's most celebrated jewels.
Watch webinar →
Jacques Cartier's Travels to the Middle East in Search of Pearls
Jacques Cartier's pearl-buying expeditions to the Middle East, and the trading networks he built there, were central to Cartier's ability to produce the great pearl jewels of the early twentieth century. This short film traces those journeys.
Watch webinar →
Recreating History: Jacques Cartier and the Pearl Trading Families of Bahrain
A film recreating the pearl-trading encounters between Jacques Cartier and the Bahraini merchant families he visited in the early twentieth century. Shot in Bahrain with the descendants of those families.
Watch webinar →
Francesca Cartier Brickell Visiting Bahrain and Jewelry Arabia
Francesca Cartier Brickell visits Bahrain — where Jacques Cartier came to buy natural pearls — and attends Jewelry Arabia, connecting the family's historical pearl-trading journeys with the region today.
Watch webinar →
How Cartier's New York Store Was Swapped for Maisie Plant's Pearl Necklace
In 1917, Pierre Cartier traded a double-strand natural pearl necklace, valued at around one million dollars, for the Morton Plant mansion at 653 Fifth Avenue. Maisie Plant wanted the necklace; Cartier wanted the building. The exchange became one of the most famous transactions in jewellery history.
Watch webinar →Related Videos
Francesca Cartier Brickell visiting Bahrain and Jewelry Arabia
Francesca Cartier Brickell retraces her great-grandfather's 1912 journey to the Gulf pearl trade.
Watch video →
Cartier Stories with Frank: From the Tutti Frutti origins to Pierre's Great Depression marketing
Francesca Cartier Brickell reveals how her great-great-grandfather brothers built the Cartier jewellery empire.
Watch video →
Recreating history: Jacques Cartier and the Pearl Trading families of Bahrain
Cartier Brickell recreates a 1910 photograph with descendants of Bahraini pearl merchants.
Watch video →
Jacques Cartier's travels to the Middle East in search of pearls
Jacques Cartier's Middle East travels sourced pearls and inspired jewelry designs for generations.
Watch video →
How Cartier's New York store was swapped for Maisie Plant's pearl necklace
How Cartier swapped a New York townhouse for Maisie Plant's million-dollar pearl necklace.
Watch video →
Jacques Cartier: A 100-Year Legacy of Bahraini Pearls (Part I)
Jacques Cartier sought Bahraini pearls 110 years ago, learning firsthand how rare these gems truly were.
Watch video →
The Cartiers Book Launch at Jaipur Literature Festival 2020
Francesca Cartier Brickell launches her family history book at Jaipur Literature Festival, revealing untold stories of Cartier's jewellery empire.
Watch video →
The Cartiers: Bejewelled India
Jacques Cartier's transformative Indian journeys created some of the jewellery empire's most significant pieces.
Watch video →From the Archives
