Cartier, Jeweler of the Arts

To create a work of art using precious or semi-precious stones that have been pierced, engraved, unmounted or even damaged, and can therefore no longer be used in classic jewelry; to bestow new life on these pearls, emeralds, sapphires, mandarin garnets, moonstones, paved diamonds, chalcedonies, rubies… This was the mission that the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain and Cartier entrusted to four internationally renowned contemporary artists, well known to the Fondation.

David Lynch, Alessandro Mendini, Takeshi Kitano and Beatriz Milhazes each met and worked with the Cartier master jewelers; from this passionate exchange four exceptional art works were created—extraordinary unique materials for the artists and a new life for these stones that no longer corresponded to the jeweler’s high standards.

The development and execution of this veritable précis of gemology was the work of Cartier Joaillerie, while each artist and their creation revived the soul of these stones and symbolized their eternity in their own special way. Together, artists and master jewelers have crafted a precious story of gemstones.