[[1909-2009]] Celebrate Cartier’s Centennial

100 years is a big deal and 2009 marks the American Centennial of world renowned French Jewelery House, Cartier.  The company first opened its doors in America on Fifth Avenue in New York City in 1909.  Because of this special milestone, Cartier has showcased some exciting events throughout this year, has published a book, and of course, launched some significant jewelry which celebrates this occasion.  

All year long, guided tours are available at the NYC boutique location featuring “100 Creations,” anything from one-of-a-kind jewels from Cartier, to objects, to pieces celebrities have worn in the past will be on display.  The book which is being released June 15, 2009 is called Cartier I Love You.  Pre-orders are being placed anywhere from Barnes & Noble or Amazon.  The book features photography by Bruce Weber and is an ode to all things Cartier. The gold-bordered, distinctively red cover and case are designed to look like a Cartier jewelry box—-right down to the authentic Cartier ribbon sewn into each binding!

The centennial jewelry remakes the popular Trinity style, with the three rings combined, each fashioned in different colors of gold.  Below are two bangles from the collection.

Must-Have Jewelry Books

Most book shelves are filled with boring books, with dull subjects and are visually unappealing. If your book collection makes you dread reading and instantly fall asleep, then these will surely entice you! Filled with interesting information about all things sparkly, with vibrant pictures, leaving you wanting to read on. Any jewelry lover would enjoy each and every one of these books.

Jewels in the Lourve
by: Adrien Goetz, Claudette Joannis
Price: $14.96

Rings: Jewelry of Power, Love, and Loyalty
by: Diana Scarisbrick
Price: $31.50

Jewels of the Tsars: The Romanovs and Imperial Russia
by: Prince Michael of Greece
Price: $34.65

Jewels: A Secret History
by: Victoria Finlay
Price: $10.88

Bejeweled: Great Designers, Celebrity Style
by: Penny Proddow, Marion Fasel
Price: $40

Cartier
by: Hans Nadelhoffer
Price: $47.25

Obsession: Marine Link Bracelets

The marine link has an elegant, classic, as well as trendy look to it. Hilary Duff is spotted here with an extremely large version of the marine link bracelet. I wonder if hers is real good or fake…can’t imagine the pricetag if it were real!  Her other wrist dons the double link version of Cartier’s Love Charity Bracelet.

Below is an example from Ross-Simons done in 14k yellow gold, with a price of $445 on clearance.

This option is actually from Sam’s Club and priced at $275.11, very random price. Anyway, it is 14k yellow gold as well but this one has more of an emphasis on the marine links–oversized and bold!

Cartier Love Charity Bracelets

THE LOWDOWN:  The combination of two wonderful things–jewelry and charity. 

The Love Bracelets from Cartier are not only beautiful, but are hip and trendy right now.  Cartier had some good marketing for these pieces–I’ve seen the ad for them in almost every fashion magazine.  On top of that, a celebrity party was held in its honor, with some of the top celebrities becoming ambassadors with their own cord color. 

NOT SO GOOD: Each bracelet sells for around $475, with $100 going to charity.  A little too expensive if you ask me, for a silk cord and an 18k gold mini ”Love” ring.  I would rather spend that kind of money on a good lobster dinner and some tiny diamond studs.  I think I will be waiting for them to hit eBay…

www.cartier.com