Jewellery / Society

Cartier's high jewellery is a heartfelt thank-you to gemstones

By Eleanor Kittle
Model in black wears a necklace from Cartier high jewellery against a white background with a blue swipe of paint

Photo: Courtesy of Cartier

Cartier's high jewellery collection sings the praises of the gemstones that bring it to life

There is a certain je ne sais quoi to Cartier gemstones, something rarely seen elsewhere, and that is exactly what the Maison is looking to highlight in its new high jewellery collection. Dubbed Le Chœur des Pierres, or ‘The Choir of Stones,’ this collection is a ballad to everything that makes a precious stone precisely that — precious. Through shape, colour, history, and symbolism, a stone defines a piece of jewellery.

“This collection is an ode to gemstones, a dazzling symphony in which each gem sings its own melody,” expresses Cartier’s director of high jewellery workshops, Alexa Abitbol. “This first chapter, the work of Cartier’s expert artisans, comprises more than 125 unique pieces and required more than 85,000 hours of passionate work.”

The concept of a choir, a harmony, or a symphony is central to the collection. “Le Chœur des Pierres plays on two different meanings evoked by the pronunciation of “chœur” in French,” explains the director of image, style, and heritage, Pierre Rainero. “ When written this way, it refers to the chorus of voices; without the ‘h,’ it signifies the heart. Pronounced identically but with two different meanings, ‘chœur’ and ‘cœur’ both express how Cartier selects gems and designs pieces to enhance them.”

Model in black wears an earring and a necklace from Cartier high jewellery against a white background with a green swipe of paint

Olorra. Photo: Courtesy of Cartier

An emerald and diamond necklace from Cartier high jewellery against a white background atop two green ovals painted

Solenara. Photo: Courtesy of Cartier

Model in black wears a earrings and a necklace from Cartier high jewellery against a white background with a pink swipe of paint

Tellura. Photo: Courtesy of Cartier

a multi coloured gemstone necklace from Cartier high jewellery againsyt a white background with a pink petal painted

Tutti Kanya. Photo: Courtesy of Cartier