SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C. Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display
“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
The “Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” exhibition brings more than 350 historic objects out of the brand’s archives. It opened on April 12 and will run until Nov. 16 at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. (Image © Victoria and Albert Museum, London)
London—The Victoria and Albert Museum in London’s South Kingston neighborhood has a new exhibition that charts the history of Cartier.
“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” is the United Kingdom’s first major exhibition dedicated to the brand’s jewels and watches in almost 30 years, the museum said.
It shows Cartier’s evolution into “an unparalleled force in the jewelry and watch world,” showcasing its art, design, and craftsmanship since the turn of the 20th century.
More than 350 objects will be featured, including jewelry, historic gemstones, watches and clocks.
Drawings from the V&A and Cartier archives also are on display for the first time, along with works from the Royal Collection lent to the museum by King Charles III, and objects on loan from major U.K. and international museums, and private collections.
Throughout the years, Cartier’s client list has included royalty and members of the aristocracy, becoming known as “the jeweler of kings and the king of jewelers.”
Highlights of the exhibition include the Williamson diamond brooch Queen Elizabeth II commissioned in 1953, Princess Grace’s engagement ring from 1956, Mexican film star María Félix’s snake necklace from 1968, and a collection of the brand’s signature “Panthère” jewelry.
The exhibition explores how Louis, Pierre, and Jacques Cartier, along with their father Alfred, transformed the Parisian family jeweler into a household name.
It is divided into three main sections.
One explores the creativity of Cartier and the emergence of its signature style, another shows the legacy of its technical ingenuity and craftsmanship, while the third addresses the brand’s approach to image-making and maintaining its legacy and relevance in a changing world.
The exhibition also highlights the history of Cartier London, culminating with a display of tiaras.
“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” is the United Kingdom’s first major exhibition dedicated to the brand’s jewels and watches in almost 30 years, the museum said.
It shows Cartier’s evolution into “an unparalleled force in the jewelry and watch world,” showcasing its art, design, and craftsmanship since the turn of the 20th century.
More than 350 objects will be featured, including jewelry, historic gemstones, watches and clocks.
Drawings from the V&A and Cartier archives also are on display for the first time, along with works from the Royal Collection lent to the museum by King Charles III, and objects on loan from major U.K. and international museums, and private collections.
“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” includes Princess Grace’s Cartier engagement ring, which she wore in her final film “High Society.” (Image courtesy of The Princess Grace Foundation)
Throughout the years, Cartier’s client list has included royalty and members of the aristocracy, becoming known as “the jeweler of kings and the king of jewelers.”
Highlights of the exhibition include the Williamson diamond brooch Queen Elizabeth II commissioned in 1953, Princess Grace’s engagement ring from 1956, Mexican film star María Félix’s snake necklace from 1968, and a collection of the brand’s signature “Panthère” jewelry.
The exhibition explores how Louis, Pierre, and Jacques Cartier, along with their father Alfred, transformed the Parisian family jeweler into a household name.
It is divided into three main sections.
One explores the creativity of Cartier and the emergence of its signature style, another shows the legacy of its technical ingenuity and craftsmanship, while the third addresses the brand’s approach to image-making and maintaining its legacy and relevance in a changing world.
The exhibition also highlights the history of Cartier London, culminating with a display of tiaras.
The Cartier “Stomacher” brooch was a special order from 1913. It features carved crystal and diamonds set in platinum. (Image © Cartier)
The “Patiala” necklace was commissioned by Bhupinder Singh, the Maharajah of Patiala, with diamonds, topaz, lab-grown rubies, smoky quartz, citrine, and yellow and white zirconia set in platinum (Image © Cartier)
One of the many tiaras in the exhibition is the “Scroll” tiara worn by Elizabeth II to her coronation and by Rihanna on the cover of W magazine in 2016. It was commissioned for the Countess of Essex in 1902 with diamonds in silver and gold. (Image © Cartier)
This is the Mountbatten Bandeau in Tutti Frutti style from 1928. It features emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and diamonds set in platinum. (Image © Victoria and Albert Museum, London)
Of the many watches included in Cartier’s exhibition is the “Crash” wristwatch that was made by Wright & Davies for Cartier London in 1967. The watch uses sapphire, gold, and blue steel, along with a leather strap. (Image © Cartier)
This brooch was crafted by Cartier London in 1933 with amethyst, sapphires, and diamonds set in platinum. It was worn by Jacques Cartier’s wife Nelly. (Image © Cartier)
Helen Molesworth and Rachel Garrahan, who also worked as editors on the exhibition’s accompanying book, “Cartier,” curated the exhibition.
The 256-page book features more than 150 Cartier pieces. It was published by V&A Publishing, in association with Cartier.
The book debuts on May 27 and is available for pre-order now. It is $70.
It is also available at the V&A Shop for a special price of £35 ($46.43).
The Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy exhibition opened on April 12 and will run until Nov. 16.
Tickets are £27 ($35.80) for weekdays and £29 ($38.45) for weekends, with V&A members entering for free.
For more information on the event and to purchase tickets, visit the V&A website.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
