Four of the Most Expensive Cartier Rings

Brief History of Cartier

Cartier has long been synonymous with luxury, elegance, and exceptional craftsmanship. Founded in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier in Paris, the brand quickly became a favorite among royalty, celebrities, and discerning collectors. Over the decades, Cartier has pioneered revolutionary jewelry designs, from the iconic panther motif to the Love bracelet, solidifying its status as a leader in haute joaillerie. Today, Cartier rings remain among the most coveted pieces at prestigious auction houses like Sotheby’s, where they often achieve record-breaking prices. In this article, we explore four of the most expensive Cartier rings sold in recent years, showcasing the unparalleled artistry and rarity that define the brand.

Cartier Sky Blue Diamond Ring — ^{‘THE SKY BLUE DIAMOND’, FANCY VIVID BLUE DIAMOND CARTIER RING WEIGHING 8.01 CARATS}

Cartier Blue Diamond Ring

In 2016, Sotheby’s auctioned this Fancy Vivid Blue diamond Cartier ring for $19.5 million. The centerpiece of this extraordinary piece is an 8.01-carat Fancy Vivid Blue diamond, a rare and highly sought-after gemstone known as ‘The Sky Blue Diamond.’

Graded Fancy Vivid Blue by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), this designation is the highest possible color grading for blue diamonds, awarded to less than 1% of those submitted. The diamond was also classified as Type IIb, an ultra-rare category that includes fewer than 0.5% of all diamonds. David Bennett, Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby’s International Jewellery Division, described it as "a wonderfully clear celestial blue, presented in an extremely elegant square emerald cut – in my view, the most flattering of all the cuts for a colored diamond."

Cartier Sapphire Ring

One of the most remarkable sapphire rings crafted by Cartier was sold by Sotheby’s in 2023 for nearly $3.3 million. This exquisite ring features a 33.51-carat emerald-cut Burmese sapphire, fringed with dazzling baguette diamonds. What makes this sapphire particularly exceptional is its ‘royal blue’ hue and the fact that it has no indications of heat treatment—an exceedingly rare characteristic among sapphires of this size and quality.

This stunning ring once belonged to Constance Prosser Mellon, a noted philanthropist and collector. She and her husband, Richard King Mellon, played a significant role in Pittsburgh’s mid-20th-century revitalization, contributing generously to institutions such as the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University.

Cartier Diamond Ring

Another Cartier masterpiece, a 33.13 carat step-cut diamond ring, sold for $3.2 million at auction in 2022. This striking piece was classified as D Color and VVS1 Clarity by the GIA, meaning it exhibits the highest grade of colorlessness and nearly flawless clarity. Additionally, the diamond was designated as Type IIa, a classification reserved for the purest and most chemically rare diamonds.

Accompanied by multiple reports from GIA and Gübelin, the diamond’s impeccable transparency and quality were further validated. One GIA report even suggested that with minor repolishing, the stone might achieve an Internally Flawless grade—an extraordinary testament to its near-perfection.

Cartier Sapphire and Diamond Ring

This Cartier Sapphire and Diamond ring was sold for an impressive 1,800,000 USD in June 2024. Featuring a remarkable 14.51-carat cushion-shaped sugarloaf cabochon sapphire of Kashmir origin, the ring is further adorned with baguette diamonds set in platinum. Signed "Cartier Made in France" and numbered 1781 and 71282, this exceptional piece exemplifies Cartier's commitment to creating timeless, sophisticated designs. The sapphire, a medium-deep blue with exceptional saturation and clarity, is complemented by approximately 1.30 carats of diamonds graded G-H color and VS-SI clarity, enhancing the ring’s allure.

Adding to its historical intrigue, the ring's interior is engraved with the partial inscription "Theodora From C," suggesting a personalized provenance. Accompanied by a Cartier-signed box embossed with the date "17 Nov. 1938," the ring also comes with dual authentication reports: an AGL certificate and a Gübelin report confirming the sapphire's Kashmir origin and lack of heat treatment. This stunning piece of jewelry is a shining example of Cartier's lasting legacy in fine jewelry.

Cartier’s legacy in the world of fine jewelry remains unmatched, and these record-breaking sales are a testament to the brand’s timeless appeal. Whether featuring rare blue diamonds, unheated Burmese sapphires, flawless diamonds, or prized Colombian emeralds, Cartier rings continue to captivate collectors and jewelry enthusiasts alike. As new Cartier creations emerge and historic pieces resurface at auction, the fascination with these exquisite treasures will undoubtedly persist, securing Cartier’s place as a premier name in luxury jewelry for generations to come.

Advantages to Buying Cartier on the Secondary Market

1. Access

Sotheby’s provides exclusive access to a curated selection of Cartier jewelry from its long established global network of sellers. As a leading marketplace, Sotheby's offers pristine Cartier pieces in the most coveted designs and gemstones. Our jewelry specialists are dedicated to sourcing the most desirable Cartier pieces from collectors around the world.

2. Flexibility

Sotheby’s offers multiple ways to purchase Cartier jewelry, including online and in person at our locations in New York, Hong Kong, Zurich, Paris, and London. We also provide a concierge service to help source specific Cartier jewelry pieces not available online.

3. Value

While authorized Cartier boutiques offer their latest collections, finding specific designs—especially those with strong collector demand—can be challenging due to availability constraints. Sotheby’s presents a curated selection of Cartier jewelry, including rare and discontinued designs, available for purchase without the need to visit multiple retailers. Shopping with Sotheby’s ensures access to exceptional Cartier jewelry pieces, from vintage masterpieces to contemporary classics, all authenticated by experts.

4. Discovery

One of the greatest advantages of shopping in a global luxury marketplace is the chance to discover unique, one-of-a-kind Cartier pieces and rare, limited-edition designs no longer available at retail. Our curated selection of Cartier jewelry is continuously refreshed, ensuring that you’ll always find something new and exclusive.

Buy and Sell Cartier Rings at Sotheby's

Sotheby's often has rare and collectible Cartier rings available at auction. Sotheby's also has a curated selection of Cartier jewelry available for immediate purchase on marketplace. If you would like to view Cartier jewelry, a salon specialist would be happy to assist. Sotheby's is also able to source Cartier jewelry from its global supplier network. Prices for Cartier rings begin around $5,000 for white gold and diamond rings, with prices rising substantially for highly coveted designs, such as diamond engagement rings, which can surpass $100,000.