Rating and value of Cartier jewels, rings, bracelets, necklaces

If you own a piece of Cartier jewelry, and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their appraisal services.

Our specialists will work to carry out a free appraisal of your jewelry, and provide you with an accurate estimate of its value on the current market.

Then, if you wish to sell your piece, we will direct you to the best possible device to obtain the optimum price.

Rating and value of Cartier jewelry

Cartier jewelry is a popular item at auction. They are collected by bidders of all nationalities. Now, prices for these objects can rise considerably under the auctioneer's hammer.

Love and Juste un clou bracelets are particularly prized, by buyers from all over the world.

The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €130 to €1,118,000, at the moment, a consequent gap but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to these objects.

In 2020, a Tutti Frutti bracelet dating from the 1930s sold for $1.34 million. The auction had set a record for an online sale.

Order of value from a simple work to the most prestigious

Style and technique of Cartier jewelry

Cartier's style is based on a combination of classic elegance, understated luxury and immediate recognizability, with iconic and symbolic motifs such as the panther, which embodies strength and elegance.

The house has produced recognizable signature collections throughout the 20th century, such as the Love, the Trinity model or Tutti Frutti jewelry, each with an immediately legible design.

Today, Cartier's style dialogues between tradition and modernity : shapes remain streamlined, precious metal is treated in a contemporary way (platinum, white gold) while respecting its jewelry heritage.

The house's inspirations are multicultural, with Indian, Oriental, art deco and natural (leaves, flowers and animals) influences reflected in the ornaments and motifs.

Cartier's craftsmanship is exceptional, and each piece of Cartier jewelry is designed with " métiers d'arts ", which combine jewelry-making, setting, engraving, enameling, and more. The haute-joaillerie craftsmen employ specific techniques such as " fur setting " or serti " fourrure ", which is applied to the panther.

Thus, the stones, which can be sapphires, onyx or others are surrounded by very fine metal wires to simulate fur. The jewels are crafted with noble materials and high-quality gemstones, such as 18k gold, platinum, exceptional diamonds or calibrated gemstones.

Polishing, guilloche, surface plays to catch the light, discreet mounting of claws and fluid structures are used to perfect the finishing and lighting techniques.

Cartier jewelry also relies on modularity and mechanical innovation, with certain models incorporating transformation systems (clips, bracelets, necklaces) or articulated mounts for greater comfort and portability.

The history of the House of Cartier

The Cartier workshop was founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier, who took over the workshop from his master, Adolphe Picard. In 1874, he passed the business on to his son, Alfred Cartier, marking the transition to a more commercial and international dimension.

In 1899, one of the emblematic boutiques opened at 13 rue de la Paix. At the very beginning of the 20th century, the company established itself in London (1902) and New York (1917-1919) via the New York house, embodied by a historic building: the Mansion on 5th Avenue, the result of one of the most famous property swaps in history, the building having been acquired by Cartier in exchange for a diamond.

In 1902, on the occasion of the coronation of King Edward VII, Cartier made 27 tiaras for the English court, consolidating its status with royal families.

Cartier became a key player in luxury jewelry, working with precious metals, gemstones, platinum and registering patents such as the invisible setting to push back the boundaries of jewelry design.

Craftsmanship became central, with jewelers, setters and designers developing a style synonymous with elegance, exclusivity and innovation. The positioning " joaillier des rois et roi des joaillers " is attributed to Cartier by Edouard VII, reinforcing the house's image of international prestige.

The twentieth century is a period of globalization, the house moves from being a family business to an international brand, infested in many luxury markets around the world.

From 1970 to 1990, the house restructures, consolidates its activities and diversifies into watches, leather goods and accessories.

Today, Cartier is part of the Richemont luxury group, and operates in over 200 boutiques worldwide, while pursuing craftsmanship, technical innovation and heritage transmission.

The iconic Cartier collections

I.           Love

The Love collection was launched in 1969. It was designed by Aldo Cipullo for Cartier. The concept is initially a screw-lockable wristband, symbolizing commitment and fidelity (the bracelet can only be removed with a special screwdriver).

The visual style of the jewelry often materializes in yellow gold, although it was later declined in white and rose gold and sometimes set with diamonds, the decorative screws are visible, with a streamlined design. The Love collection is then declined in necklaces, rings or even earrings.

The Love bracelet is conceived as a unisex piece of jewelry, worn on the wrist as a visible element of commitment. Today, the Cartier bracelet, even if it remains an airport nightmare, has become a cultural reference object of contemporary jewelry, both a fashion and fine jewelry piece.

II.          Trinity

The Trinity ring was designed in 1924 by Louis Cartier. His friend Jean Cocteau is said to have inspired the final design. The concept is based on three gold rings (yellow, pink and white) symbolizing love, friendship and fidelity, or the past, present and future.

The visual style is materialized by smooth interlocking rings, with chromatic harmonization between three shades of gold, variations in rings, necklaces and bracelets. The jewelry is discreet but highly symbolic, worn on the finger or wrist, unisex like the Love collection.

This was an innovation as early as 1924, offering a piece of jewelry said to be " intimate " and modular was indeed daring for a house renowned for its aristocratic luxury.

III.          Tutti Frutti

The Tutti Frutti collection was born in the 1920s-1930s, influenced by Art Deco and Indian and Oriental inspiration. The concept is to create richly colored jewelry combining precious and fine stones (rubies, emeralds, sapphires), yellow gold, sculptural volumes and nature-inspired motifs.

The visual style materializes in a chromatic explosion, and a mix of materials and volumes, with a " jewel-sculpture " effect more than a discreet ornament. This is high jewelry, often a unique piece or small series, worn as a statement.

This collection marks Cartier's ability to blend stylistic innovation, jewelry craftsmanship and aesthetic cosmopolitanism.

IV.          Juste un clou

Although Juste un clou was formalized as a collection in 2012, the concept dates back to the 1970s via Aldo Cipullo. The concept is to transform an ordinary object (a nail) into a precious object, redefining jewelry through a minimalist and ironic reading.

The visual style materializes in white, yellow or rose gold, and various lengths (rings, bracelets, necklaces) with a massive design that flaunts its " tool " as an aesthetic element. Its function is that of a jewel-tool, assumed as such and worn by modern personalities, blending luxury and attitude.

The Juste un clou collection embodies everyday jewelry, but with Cartier's haute joaillerie quality, and a reflection on the object and symbolism.

Know the certain value of your jewel   

If you happen to own a Cartier jewel or think you might, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using our form on our website.

A member of our team of experts and licensed auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your scarf, as well as ad hoc information about it.

If you wish to sell your work, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account market inclinations.