Cartier Round Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s Contemporary Wedding Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1960s More Bracelets
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century More Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Link Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1930s Art Deco More Bracelets
Diamond, Platinum
Antique 19th Century Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Early 2000s Contemporary Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Platinum
1990s More Bracelets
White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum
2010s Band Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Link Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Band Rings
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Brooches
Diamond, Gold, Platinum
Early 2000s Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum, White Gold
Vintage 1950s Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1930s More Bracelets
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1930s Brooches
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
Antique 19th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Brooches
Citrine, Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Link Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Platinum
Early 20th Century Art Deco More Bracelets
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Brooches
White Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Link Bracelets
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Charm Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum
Antique 19th Century More Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1960s Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1960s Brooches
Amethyst, Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Platinum
20th Century Modern Band Rings
Diamond, Onyx, Platinum
20th Century Modern Brooches
Coral, Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Modern Band Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Brooches
White Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Wrist Watches
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 2000s Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1970s More Rings
Coral, Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Contemporary Wedding Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Tourmaline, Platinum
Early 2000s Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century Contemporary Band Rings
White Diamond, Platinum
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Cartier Biography and Important Works
Perhaps 1847 was not the ideal time to open a new watchmaking and jewelry business, as the French Revolution was not kind to the aristocracy who could afford such luxuries. Nevertheless, it was the year Louis-François Cartier (1819–1904) — who was born into poverty — founded his eponymous empire, assuming control of the workshop of watchmaker Adolphe Picard, under whom he had previously been employed as an assistant. Of course, in the beginning, it was a relatively modest affair, but by the late 1850s, Cartier had its first royal client, Princess Mathilde Bonaparte, niece of Napoleon Bonaparte, who commissioned the jeweler to design brooches, earrings and other accessories.
Under the leadership of Louis-François’s son, Alfred, who took over in 1874, business boomed. Royalty around the world wore Cartier pieces, including Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, the Maharaja of Patiala and King Edward VII, who had 27 tiaras made by the jewelry house for his coronation in 1902 and issued Cartier a royal warrant in 1904. (Today, the British royal family still dons Cartier pieces; Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, regularly sports a Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch.)
Cartier’s golden years, however, began when Alfred introduced his three sons, Louis, Pierre and Jacques, to the business. The brothers expanded Cartier globally: Louis reigned in Paris, Pierre in New York and Jacques in London, ensuring their brand’s consistency at their branches across the world. The trio also brought in such talents as Charles Jacqueau and Jeanne Toussaint.
One of Cartier’s earliest major successes was the Santos de Cartier watch — one of the world's first modern wristwatches for men. (Previously, a large number of people were using only pocket watches.) Louis designed the timepiece in 1904 for his friend, popular Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who wanted to be able to check the time more easily while flying.
Cartier’s other famous timepieces include the Tank watch, which was inspired by the linear form of military tanks during World War I, and the so-called mystery clocks. Invented by watchmaker and magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin and later crafted exclusively for Cartier in the house’s workshop by watchmaker Maurice Couët, the mystery clocks were so named because the integration of glass dials on which the clocks’ hands would seemingly float as well as structures that are hidden away within the base give the illusion that they operate without machinery.
On the jewelry side of the business, Cartier’s internationally renowned offerings include the Tutti Frutti collection, which featured colorful carved gemstones inspired by Jacques’s trip to India and grew in popularity during the Art Deco years; the /buy/panthere-cartier/ target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">panthère motif, which has been incorporated into everything from brooches to rings; and the Love bracelet, a minimal, modernist locking bangle reportedly inspired by medieval chastity belts.
While the Cartier family sold the business following the death of Pierre in 1964, the brand continues to innovate today, renewing old hits and creating new masterpieces. It’s certainly one of the most well known and internationally beloved jewelers in the world among clients both existing and aspirational.
On 1stDibs, find a growing collection of contemporary and vintage Cartier watches, rings, necklaces and other accessories.
