The name Cartier is synonymous with beautiful objects of quality and style. Founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier, the firm known as Cartier quickly became recognized for its exemplary workmanship and taste. As the brand became increasingly well-known, Cartier expanded their empire, opening a London branch in 1902 and a New York branch in 1909. Among Louis Cartier’s most important and lasting innovations was introducing the combination of platinum and diamonds to create garland-style jewelry, making platinum a legitimate and irreplaceable precious metal in jewelry making. Throughout World War I, Cartier introduced many innovations into the jewelry market. Primarily known for their work with diamonds, the firm designed lavish pieces, often incorporating other stones in new and unusual settings for contrast and color. By 1968, Cartier had evolved from a family business into an enormous multinational organization.
