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The Cartiers: The Untold Story of the Family Behind the Jewelry Empire

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Description

“A dynamic group biography studded with design history and high-society dash . . . [This] elegantly wrought narrative bears the Cartier hallmark.”—The Economist The “astounding” (André Leon Talley) story of the family behind the Cartier empire and the three brothers who turned their grandfather’s humble Parisian jewelry store into a global luxury icon—as told by a great- granddaughter with exclusive access to long-lost family archives “Ms. Cartier Brickell has done her grandfather proud.”—The Wall Street Journal The Cartiers is the revealing tale of a jewelry dynasty—four generations, from revolutionary France to the 1970s. At its heart are the three Cartier brothers whose motto was “Never copy, only create” and who made their family firm internationally famous in the early days of the twentieth century, thanks to their unique and complementary talents: Louis, the visionary designer who created the first men’s wristwatch to help an aviator friend tell the time without taking his hands off the controls of his flying machine; Pierre, the master dealmaker who bought the New York headquarters on Fifth Avenue for a double-stranded natural pearl necklace; and Jacques, the globe-trotting gemstone expert whose travels to India gave Cartier access to the world’s best rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, inspiring the celebrated Tutti Frutti jewelry. Francesca Cartier Brickell, whose great-grandfather was the youngest of the brothers, has traveled the world researching her family’s history, tracking down those connected with her ancestors and discovering long-lost pieces of the puzzle along the way. Now she reveals never-before-told dramas, romances, intrigues, betrayals, and more. The Cartiers also offers a behind- the-scenes look at the firm’s most iconic jewelry—the notoriously cursed Hope Diamond, the Romanov emeralds, the classic panther pieces—and the long line of stars from the worlds of fashion, film, and royalty who wore them, from Indian maharajas and Russian grand duchesses to Wallis Simpson, Coco Chanel, and Elizabeth Taylor. Published in the two-hundredth anniversary year of the birth of the dynasty’s founder, Louis-François Cartier, this book is a magnificent, definitive, epic social history shown through the deeply personal lens of one legendary family. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ballantine Books


Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 8, 2021


Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 656 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0525621636


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 38


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.89 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.1 x 1.34 x 9.17 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #78,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #6 in Antique & Collectible Jewelry (Books) #13 in Fashion & Textile Business #185 in Rich & Famous Biographies


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If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Tuesday, Jun 2

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • A book for everyone interested in history, business and beauty.
Format: Hardcover
This book is really brilliant. It isn’t a picture book like a coffee-table book First of all, if you’re a reader, 600+ pages is not really a long book for what it covers; which is why it took 10 years to write. It’s filled with comprehensive, authenticated information from access that a writer/biographer wouldn’t normally have access It really is a story about the process to create a successful. Hard work and perseverance through bad times such as the first- and second-world war. Diplomatic relationships between owner and consumer. Creating a product that kept its relevancy over 150 years. I loved the inclusion of family thoughts as it gave the book personality. These relationships affect everything in any family business. I think the three brothers did an excellent job in identifying strengths (both staff and themselves), creating teams of experts. To see an earring design out of the curve of a vase or to see a color combination from a historic object without copying is astonishing. Buy this book not just for the allure of the beautiful objects, but because it covers a lot of business principles and clever deal-making which was the key behind their enduring legacy in history. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2019 by D. Scott Tjaden

  • when precious jewels were in vogue
Format: Kindle
Detailed history of Cartier and the family that created it. Informative and interesting read. Well written, with good flow. Detailed
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2025 by Craig S.

  • Beautiful Story
Format: Kindle
What a beautiful read of a magnificent family with their successes and challenges. Also magnificent pictures from different points in history and examples of the Carrier jewelry.
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2020 by marilyn foutes

  • Highly recommend
Format: Audiobook
Beautiful stories about business, family, craftsmanship, design, and world history in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2025 by Bridget Ann

  • Fascinating book on a family owned company.
Format: Kindle
I really enjoyed reading this book about the Cartier business and family. So many beautiful pieces were made in their studios for clients all around the world. Many of those pieces can be seen online in great detail as you read if you so choose as I think back the family patriarch’s motto “always be kind” is one I hope to live for. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2025 by Marburks

  • an outstanding homage to luxury
Format: Kindle
Beautifully written this fast paced book is a detailed, chatty insight to the hard work and familial ties that created an enduring empire committed to excellence, beauty and luxury. It also pays homage to the many dedicated, loyal employees who worked alongside the family. Highly recommended
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2025 by fiona McKenzie

  • Fascinating world history through the lens of a family
Format: Kindle
I couldn’t put this one down. This was an amazing story of the wealthy and powerful through revolutions and wars as seen through a family having to adapt and change with the times. The combination of art, fashion, society, luxury and world history are told with personal letters and pictures of a family whose story is every bit as wondrous as the gorgeous treasures that were created under their name. I absolutely loved it! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2023 by J. Heitmeier

  • History of Cartier From A Family Member Well Worth Reading
Format: Hardcover
Excellent chronicle of the unique house of Cartier. From late 1800's to 1970, Cartier was family owned. This family worked hard and their innovations in high end jewelry making are still in use. I have always loved the artistry of their creations and this book does justice to that element, but this book is so much more. The book is honest about the family members, good and bad. The book also gives a window of awareness to the massive wealth of those who did business with Cartier and was an education in itself. This book is sad in a way too because all things come to an end and the only constant is change. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2020 by Linda

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