For its extraordinary range of bracelets, watches, rings and other adornments, French luxury house Cartier is undeniably one of the most well known and internationally revered jewelers in the world among clients both existing and aspirational.
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 panthère motif, which has been incorporated into everything from brooches to rings; and the Love bracelet, a minimal, modernist locking bangle inspired by medieval chastity belts that transformed fine jewelry.
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.
Find contemporary and vintage Cartier watches, engagement rings, necklaces and other accessories on 1stDibs.
Vintage 18K Yellow Gold, Citrine, Onyx, and Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage gold, citrine, onyx, and diamond cocktail ring. In 18 karat yellow gold. With a large cushion mixed cut 18.40± ct citrine (transparency: transparent, color hue: yell...
Citrine, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19.75 Carats Smoky Quartz and Citrine Diamonds Gold Ring
By Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc.
Located in New York, NY
The stones are set in 14K Yellow Gold The ring has a large Smoky Quartz 17.60ct It also has a Citrine 2.15ct. These beautiful stones are surrounded by diamonds 0.26ct. The ring is a...
Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Citrine Onyx Diamond Ring 14k Double Checkerboard Round 3.51ctw Sz 5
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 5 Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold & 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Citrine Treatment: Heating Carat(s): 3.45ct Cut: Double Checkerboard Round Color: Yellow Natural...
Citrine, Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold 0.48ct Diamond and Citrine Ring MF17-050626
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
Add a bold pop of color to any ensemble with this luxury ring. Citrine gemstones with a total weight of 9.0 carats beautifully complement the 18K Yellow Gold setting. Diamond accents...
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$3,850Sale Price|30% Off
11.49 Carat Natural Cushion-Cut Citrine and Black Diamond Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Hong Kong, HK
NOW ON SALE! Enjoy 30% off while stocks last! A beautiful cocktail ring, it features a natural cushion-cut citrine weighing 11.49 carat surrounded by round-brilliant black diamonds ...
Citrine, Black Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,610Sale Price|55% Off
Natural Glittering Brazilian 16Carats Citrine & Diamonds Gold Cocktail Ring
By Aria Jewelry Design
Located in Raleigh, NC
Glittering huge glorious natural cushion cut 17.45 mm x 16 mm Brazilian Citrine from the famous mine in Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil enhanced with tin...
Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
$2,398Sale Price|20% Off
Designer Cocktail Ring in 18kt Gold with 5.45 Ctw in Diamonds & Madeira Citrine
Located in Miami, FL
Sculptural cocktail ring with Santa Ana Madeira Citrine. Gorgeous designer's cocktail ring carefully crafted with geometric architectural patterns in solid yellow gold of 18 karats with high polished finish. It is embellished with a great selection of natural earth mined diamonds and an exceptional Madeira citrine from the Santa Ana mines, located in Uruguay. Diamonds: Mounted at the sides in a channel setting, with 16 graduated round brilliant cut diamonds, 0.64 carats, white colorless F/G color, VS-2 clarity. Gemstones: Mount in the center in a bezel setting, with 1 oval bullet cabochon cut (12 x 7.5 x 7 mm) of a natural Uruguayan vivid and fiery orange Madeira Santa Ana citrine of 4.81 carats. Birthstone: For the month of November. Weight: 12.75 Grams, (8.17 Dwt). Size: 6.5 and may be easily sized on request. Measurements: 21 mm by 13 mm (0.83 x 0.51 Inches) and raise 13 mm over the finger. Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark, the mark for the assay of the gold and signed, "RAI 18KT". Madeira Santa Ana citrine, is belonging to the quartz family, it is one of the most sought-after varieties of citrine. This gemstone is named after the fortified wine made in the Madeira Islands, just off the coast of Portugal. This rare and unique color forms less than two-percent of all citrine. Santa Ana Madeira citrine is one of the most valuable citrines, displaying an intensely saturated red-orange to red-brown color. Gemstones with highly saturated yellow, orange and reddish tones are considered to be the most valuable. Santa Ana Madeira citrine has excellent clarity with no eye-visible inclusions. The gemstone is vitreous and attains remarkable luster when polished. Citrines appear to be dichroic in polarized light. Gemstone like Santa Ana Madeira citrine can be cut in any shape, showing off its color and luster tremendously well. Find it in various classic and fancy shapes like oval, round, rectangular, cushion, pear and trillion...
Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold 0.27ct Diamond and Citrine Ring MF40-012926
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
A unique design makes this luxury ring unlike anything youve seen before. The cut of the deep-hued Citrine center stone mimics the rounded shapes found on the 18K Yellow Gold setting...
Diamond, Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Marina B Citrine, Onyx & Diamond Ring
By Marina B
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with a center Oval cut Citrine, two Pear-Shaped citrines on the side, Onyx, and Round brilliant cit Diamonds. Signed by Marina B Size 4 1/2, resizable
Citrine, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
Chanel Comete Diamond Citrine 18k Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring Sz 6 1/4
By Chanel
Located in Feasterville, PA
Chanel Comete Diamond Citrine Yellow Gold Ring. Crafted in 18K yellow gold. Features a twisted band design. Center stone: cabochon-cut citrine. Accented with two diamonds set in star...
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Barry Kieselstein Cord Golden Citrine Diamond Platinum Ring
By KIESELSTEIN-CORD
Located in Southampton, PA
This 1999 Kieselstein-Cord platinum cocktail ring showcases approximately 2.5 carats of diamonds surrounding a radiant large golden citrine. Its sleek, modernist design combines bo...
Citrine, Diamond, Platinum
Cartier Tankissi Diamond Large Amethyst Yellow Gold Ring Paper
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Amethyst Tankissi Large Ring by Cartier. With 2 baguette cut diamonds VVS1 clarity, G color 1 Oval Amethyst 12mm x 10mm Details: Size: European 52, US 6 Weight: 18.2 grams Width: 12mm Stamped Hallmarks: Cartier 750 H70XXX(serial number omitted) 52 Cartier 1999...
Amethyst, Diamond, Yellow Gold
Pasquale Bruni Diamond Citrine Large White Gold Ring
By Pasquale Bruni
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Diamond and London Blue Topaz Large Ring by Pasquale Bruni. With Round brilliant cut diamonds VS1 clarity, G color total weight approx. 1.92ct Large Golden Citrine 16...
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold
Cartier Nigeria Diamond Wide Yellow Gold Band Ring
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Nigeria Diamond Wide Band Ring by Cartier. With 125 round brilliant cut diamonds VVS1 clarity, F-H color total weight approximately 5.65ct Details: Ring Size: European...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Cartier Sorbet Diamond Tourmaline Sapphire White Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Diamond Tourmaline Sapphire Ruby Sorbet Ring by Cartier. With 10 round brilliant cut diamonds VVS1 clarity, G color total weight approx. .25ct Sapphire, Ruby and Tourmaline This ring comes with Cartier box. Details: Ring Size: European 50 US 5 1/4 Weight: 5.7 grams Width: 11mm Stamped Hallmarks: 750 Cartier 50...
Diamond, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Cartier Panthere Griffe Diamond Yellow Gold Band Ring
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Panthere Griffe Band Ring by Cartier. With 68 round brilliant cut diamonds VS1 clarity, G color total weight approx. 2.50ctw Details: Ring Size: European 54 U...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Cartier understands the value of preserving the signature codes of great design, and how to tweak it for modern aficionados.
Throughout the season, timepieces are clues to the characters' character.
