Rating and value of Cartier gold lighters

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

Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your piece, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on the current market. Then, if you'd like to sell your work, we'll direct you to the best possible arrangement to get the best price for it.

Their value can vary according to the material : if it's gold-plated, steel or lacquer, the second-hand market is more favorable to increase the value of your object. On the other hand, if it is gold, it will seem appropriate to present it at auction.

Quote and value of Cartier lighters

Cartier lighters are highly prized objects at auction. They are collected by bidders of all nationalities. Now, prices for these objects can rise considerably under the auctioneers' hammer.

Gold lighters are particularly prized, by buyers from all over the world. The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €15 to €5,500, at the moment, a consequent gap but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to these objects.

In 2023, a rectangular-shaped yellow gold lighter sold for €5,500, originally estimated at €3,500 to €4,500. 

Order of value from a simple work to the most prestigious

Style and technique of Cartier lighters 

Cartier lighters are often made in gilded or silvered metal. Some also feature Chinese lacquer or imitation tortoiseshell. The most widely distributed are those in gilded metal, followed by vermeil-colored Chinese lacquer lighters, reminiscent of the Cartier house color.

However, the house also produced gold lighters, sometimes set with precious stones, interesting to present at auction and always prized by collectors.

Reasons to sell a Cartier lighter at auction

Gold Cartier lighters are timeless pieces that meet with great success on the auction market. Often seen in auction rooms, these objects are not indifferent to collectors, who can obtain pieces that are no longer marketed by the House of Cartier.

History of Cartier lighters

The Cartier house, taken over by Louis-François Cartier in 1847, originally designed and marketed the first wristwatches for men, designed for aviation, Louis Cartier himself being a pilot.

The house is taken over by his heirs, and numerous creations are born before the lighters : Tank watch, exchange of the Hope diamond to acquire the Cartier boutique on New York's 5th Avenue, diplomatic gifts, creation of the crash watch...

It was the same year, 1968, when the house created a diamond snake necklace for Mexican actress Maria Felix, that Cartier granted Robert Hocq a license to create lighters, originally designed in an oval shape, with a retractable knob. The lighter would later be adapted to the house's original creations, such as the Trinity ring, the Love bracelet, the panther, Santos lighter, Vendôme lighter.   

This object is discreet and elegant, and does not feature any distinctive Cartier iconography except on the logotype lighter.

Recognizing an original Cartier lighter

The counterfeit market is increasingly strong in making all kinds of dupes, including luxury housewares such as lighters. On online platforms, the resale of these items is steadily increasing, and many customers are being tricked.

That's why, even if techniques exist to recognize a genuine Cartier lighter, including looking at the signature (which can incidentally be counterfeit), it's vital if you think you own a valuable (gold) lighter to have it appraised in order to date it and be sure of its authenticity.

Know the certain value of your lighter  

If you happen to own a Cartier lighter 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, not forgetting to send you 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 the inclinations of the market.