SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
