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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M HeistMuseum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.
