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Cartier
A Fine Diamond Ring, Cartier, Circa 1987
Full-Cataloguing
The name also evokes the myths surrounding an ancient mine in Eastern India, which gave birth to legendary diamonds including The Koh-i-Noor and The Regent. Revered by gem traders and collectors since the Renaissance period, Golconda was considered an exclusive source of the best diamonds in the world. Unfortunately, by mid-18th century, the insatiable appetites of Indian maharajas and European monarchs have completely exhausted its supply. Golconda diamonds, often said to be beyond white, is classified as Type IIa. With less than 1% of the world's diamonds certified as type IIa, this pure diamond is as rare as it is beautiful.
Cartier
FrenchWith the Constitution of 1848 came a new standard for luxury in France. Founded one year prior by Louis-Francois Cartier, the house of Cartier was one of the first to use platinum in jewelry making. This incredibly expensive material became the stepping-stone for Cartier to experiment in form, mechanisms and attitude. It helped men move from pocket watches to wristwatches, effectively making the watch much more functional and prominent in a man's overall wardrobe.
Cartier did not only touch on functionality. Inspired by a commissioned painting by George Barbier featuring a black panther at the feet of an elegantly bejeweled woman, Cartier began incorporating wild animals in his designs—most notably, Cartier Panthère rings, bangle bracelets and watches. Yet it wasn't until the late 1960s that the house of Cartier debuted their iconic yellow and rose gold LOVE collection, which includes the famous bracelet that only a special screwdriver can open.