EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond CutsThe singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.
TrendsNov 21, 2019
In a New Jewelry Book, a Cartier Delves into Her Family
Francesca Cartier Brickell takes a deep dive into the brand’s journey and the four generations that ran it in her soon-to-be-released work.
Francesca Cartier Brickell did a decades’ worth of research for a new book delving into her family’s history. Here, she’s holding a photo of the three Cartier brothers and their father. (Photo credit: Jonathan James Wilson)
New York—Every jewelry lover wants to learn the history behind the industry’s storied houses like Van Cleef, Bulgari and Cartier.
When the tale comes straight from a member of the founding family, it becomes irresistible; such is the case with a new book coming out soon about Cartier.
Francesca Cartier Brickell is the great-great-great-granddaughter of Louis-François Cartier, who founded the brand in 1847 in Paris.
Cartier Brickell’s late grandfather, Jean-Jacques Cartier, was the fourth and last generation of the family to manage and own a branch of the company before it was sold in the 1970s. 
The trunk contained hundreds of letters believed to have been lost forever, including missives about commissions for King Edward VII, Grand Duchess Vladimir of Russia, Coco Chanel, the Duchess of Windsor, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly and Queen Elizabeth.
It also included important family moments like birth announcements, telegrams after someone had died, love letters and airmail envelopes with pages outlining business struggles and successes, strategies and advice.
“The more I read, the more I realized that I couldn’t bear that the letters might simply be packed back into their resting place for another few decades,” Cartier Brickell writes in the book’s introduction.
In addition to having regular conversations with her grandfather after the discovery to hear the stories straight from him, Cartier Brickell also researched her family’s history extensively, traveling the world to track down people with connections to her ancestors and looking through long-lost family archives to uncover new stories and create the full narrative.
The result? A book full of never-before-told stories of drama, romance, the struggle of keeping a business alive during hard times and celebrating some of Cartier’s best moments.
“The Cartiers: The Untold Story of the Family Behind the Jewelry Empire” delves into the jewelry brand and the family behind it, tracing its history from revolutionary France to its sale in 1974.
Seen here are the three Cartier brothers and their father. From left to right they are Pierre, Louis, Alfred and Jacques.
“The Cartiers” looks at the jewelry house’s rise to popularity and its many celebrity and royal clients. Here, actress Elizabeth Taylor is wearing the 69.42-carat pear-shaped Cartier (or Taylor-Burton) Diamond while presenting at the 1970 Academy Awards. (Photo credit: Getty Images)
An Art Deco diamond bandeau from LA Collection Privée
The book centers on the story of the founding Cartier’s three grandsons, whose collective motto was “never copy, only create”—Louis, a visionary designer who created the first men’s wristwatch; Pierre, the savvy businessman who bought Cartier’s New York headquarters on
Fifth Avenue for a double strand of natural pearls; and Jacques, a gemstone expert who inspired the iconic Tutti Frutti design.
The three brothers are credited with turning Cartier into an internationally renowned brand in the early 1900s.
In addition to the family’s stories, the book also offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at some of Cartier’s most iconic jewels, like the cursed Hope Diamond, the Romanov emeralds and its classic panther pieces, as well as the numerous celebrities, fashion icons and royals who wore them.
It also offers archival photos for a visual peek at the brand’s history and a timeline to help history buffs map it out.
Published by Ballantine Books, “The Cartiers” is available for pre-order now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and many other booksellers (links can be found online).
It will be published Nov. 26.
The three brothers are credited with turning Cartier into an internationally renowned brand in the early 1900s.
In addition to the family’s stories, the book also offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at some of Cartier’s most iconic jewels, like the cursed Hope Diamond, the Romanov emeralds and its classic panther pieces, as well as the numerous celebrities, fashion icons and royals who wore them.
It also offers archival photos for a visual peek at the brand’s history and a timeline to help history buffs map it out.
Published by Ballantine Books, “The Cartiers” is available for pre-order now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and many other booksellers (links can be found online).
It will be published Nov. 26.
More on Trends
The Latest
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income WorriesPlans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.
Weekly QuizAug 22, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil CampaignThe Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-GiftingIn his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry EmpireThree C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 StoresThe retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Pops Up at 2025 US OpenThe pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.
IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes OffThe New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”
CrimeAug 20, 2025
Another CA Jewelry Store Rammed With Car, RobbedThe latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster RestorationThe new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2025
Take the Jewelers for Children ‘Trinity of Purpose’ ChallengeParticipants who attend any three Rings of Strength events will be awarded a special medal.
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner LucapaThe investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry RetailSmith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ EarringsThe counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.
