Legendary Diamonds and Cartier

By Erika W.

Cartier has housed some of the most remarkable diamonds in the world.

The Hope Diamond

The Hope Diamond – Cartier necklace
Notes on the Hope Diamond at Cartier.com

A gemological wonder with an amazing legend, the 45.52 carat blue Hope Diamond has fascinated us for centuries. Please visit Encyclopedia Smithsonian for the detailed history. The Hope Diamond is a rare type IIb, which displays strong orange-red phosphorescence after exposure to short wave ultra violet light. Pierre Cartier acquired the magnificent gem in 1909.

Evalyn Walsh McLean wearing the Hope Diamond
Notes on the Hope Diamond at Cartier.com

Pierre Cartier sold the Hope Diamond to Evalyn Walsh McLean in 1910. At first, Mrs McLean was not drawn to the enormous blue diamond, so Cartier gave her the jewel on approval. “For hours,” she recalled, “that jewel stared at me. The setting had been changed completely to a frame of diamonds and there was a splendid chain of diamonds to go about my neck. At some time during the night I began to want the thing.”- Cartier by Hans Nadelhoffer

The Star of South Africa

The 47.69 carat Star of South Africa Diamond
mounted in a brooch by Cartier in 1910

The Star of South Africa’s discovery in 1869 sparked “diamond fever” around the world. Pierre Cartier had the task of mounting the 47.69 carat pear shaped diamond for J.P. Morgan in 1910. The diamond was set as a brooch with a lily of the valley motif.

The Jubilee Diamond

The 245.35 carat Jubilee Diamond
mounted in a brooch by Cartier in 1937

The Jubilee Diamond was cut to 245.35 carats in 1897, the year of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Cartier’s Jeanne Toussaint designed the brooch in 1937 after it was sold to Paul-Louis Weiller.

More Cartier Legends

Cartier and Princess Grace

Cartier and The Duchess of Windsor

Elizabeth Taylor and Cartier

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