Must Have Rare and Collectible Cartier Necklaces

Brief History of Cartier

Cartier was founded in 1847 by Louis-Francois Cartier and opened its first boutique in 1859. With a roster of visionary designers such as Charles Jacqueau, Pierre Lemarch and enigmatic creative director Jeanne Toussaint, Cartier’s designs articulated a wide range of influences into highly original and elegant jewels that defined their eras. Aldo Cipullo created two of the most important modern collections for Cartier including the Cartier Love in 1969 and Cartier Juste un Clou collections in 1971.

In 1993, Cartier was merged with other brands, creating the Vendome Luxury Group. The Vendome Luxuruy Group became Richemont and now owns 19 luxury brands including Van Cleef & Arpels and Buccellati. Cartier is one of the most popular luxury jewelry designer brands with over 5M google searches per month. In 2023, Sotheby's sold nearly $30 million in Cartier jewelry with prices ranging from $5,000 to over $2.8 million.

Cartier Diamond necklace — Cartier High Jewlery Diamond Necklace

Rare & Collectible Cartier Necklaces

Whether you are a seasoned collector or new admirer of Cartier necklaces, we have highlighted four rare and collectible Cartier necklace styles. While some of these specific Cartier necklaces may be hard to source, these provide a foundation for Cartier necklaces that are rare and collectible. We chose these Cartier necklaces since they are timeless in their design, represent the most iconic motifs or reflect Cartier's heritage of quality and luxury. If you are looking to add rare and collectible Cartier necklace to your collection, read on to learn more about four distinct styles to consider.

Cartier Juste un Clou

Famous Cartier designer Aldo Cipullo created the Cartier Juste un Clou bracelet in 1971, two years after launching the iconic Cartier Love bracelet in 1969. He transformed a nail into an elegant bracelet that was both modern and edgy. The bracelet was originally called the Cartier Nail Bracelet and was inspired by the beauty of every day objects. Like the Cartier Love Bracelet, the Cartier Juste un Clou (just in nail in French) played a pivotal role in Cartier's modern success and identity. The collection was relaunched in 2012 to celebrate Cartier's 165th anniversary and expanded to include an entire jewelry collection including necklaces. The Cartier Juste un Clou collection is now part of Cartier's signature jewelry collection along with the Cartier Love and Cartier Panthère Collections. Cartier collectors often start with a Juste un Clou necklace or other neclace from one of its signature collections.

Cartier Panthère

The Panthère de Cartier motif was first introduced in 1914 and remains one of the most iconic symbols synonymous with Cartier. Cartier's earliest connection to the panther was an advertisement in 1913 called Dame à la Panthère featuring an elegant model and a sleek black cat. According to some, Louis Cartier chose the panther in tribute to Jeanne Toussaint, who he called his ‘Petite Pantheré (she also famously wore a full-length coat made of panther fur). The first Cartier Panthère jewelry piece was crafted for the Duchess of Windsor, Wallace Simpson in 1948. The Cartier Pantheré brooch was gold and enamel set with a cabochon emerald. A Cartier Pantheré necklace is also highly desirable by Cartier collectors. We love the Cartier Pantheré Maillon (or link) necklaces, especially with diamonds. Each link is individually attached for comfort and movement and is designed to wrap around the neck like a cat.

Cartier Necklace Diamond Gem Set

Cartier has a rich history in sourcing impressive colored gem stones from India and setting them using French design techniques. Jacques Cartier traveled to India in 1911 to witness the coronation of King George as Emperor. This trip would introduce Cartier to the stone carving techniques of Indian jewelry. The colorful carved stones was a departure from the white diamond garlands and bow designs and geometric Art Deco jewelry of the 1920s. The carved center emerald of Colombian origin featured in this necklace from around 1930 is a rare and highly collectible Cartier necklace. The necklace combines the geometric designs popular during the Art Deco period with the colorful stones used in Indian jewelry. Bold and colorful necklaces from this period are highly sought after by Cartier collectors since these one of kind creations rarely come to market.

Cartier Necklace: High Jewelry

Cartier's long association with royalty starting in 1902 when Kind Edward VII commissioned Cartier to create 27 tiaras remains strong today. Cartier was described as the "Jeweller of Kings and King of Jewellers" by King Edward VII. This association naturally led to Cartier being one of the top jewelers for high jewelry by royalty, wealthy elite and celebrities. A one a kind floral and foliate diamond necklace created for a princess is the ultimate Cartier diamond necklace for collectors of Cartier High Jewelry. The brilliant-cut, pear- and cushion-shaped diamonds in this Cartier necklace are D to F color and Internally Flawless to VS2 clarity.

Advantages to Buying Van Cleef & Arpels on the Secondary Market

1. Access

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

2. Flexibility

Sotheby’s offers multiple ways to purchase Van Cleef & Arpels 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 Van Cleef & Arpels pieces not available online.

3. Value

While Van Cleef & Arpels boutiques offer their iconic jewelry collections, finding specific designs, gemstones, or styles can sometimes be a challenge due to limited availability. Sotheby’s provides a curated selection of Van Cleef & Arpels pieces, including rare and sought-after designs, available for purchase without the need to visit a physical store. Shopping with Sotheby’s allows you to discover exceptional Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry, from vintage masterpieces to contemporary classics, all in one place. Whether you're searching for a timeless diamond engagement ring or a unique statement piece, Sotheby’s offers a seamless and efficient way to acquire the perfect Van Cleef & Arpelstreasure, saving you time while ensuring authenticity and quality.

4. Discovery

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

Buy and Sell Van Cleef & Arpels Necklaces at Sotheby's

Sotheby's often has rare and collectible Van Cleef & Arpels necklaces available at auction. Sotheby's also has a curated selection of Van Cleef & Arpels necklaces available for immediate purchase on marketplace. If you would like to view a Van Cleef necklace, a salon specialist would be happy to assist. Sotheby's is also able to source Van Cleef & Arpels necklaces from its global supplier network.

The price of a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace ranges from around $7,000 for a basic Alhambra pendant necklace to over $250,000 for a gold and diamond Van Cleef & Arpels necklace. Most Van Cleef & Arpels necklaces range from $20,000 - $100,000 if the necklace has diamonds and other gemstones. The size, quality and quantity of the diamonds and gemstones in addition to the craftsmanship of the design all factor into the price of a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace. Additionally rare vintage or custom designed Van Cleef & Arpels necklaces are more expensive than a style that was made in larger quantities and is readily available on the secondary market.