More than 300 tiaras, brooches, timepieces, and necklaces from Cartier will appear in Melbourne, pieces that have been worn by the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Margaret, the Duchess of Windsor, and Rihanna.
Joining the exhibition will be watches featuring Australian opals, as well as Cartier’s Tutti Frutti jewels, highlighted by dazzling rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. Tony Elwood, director of the NGV, told Forbes that the exhibition was not to be missed.
“Cartier is world-renowned for its excellence in jewellery and timepiece design and innovation – a reputation fostered by the three entrepreneurial brothers Pierre, Louis and Jacques Cartier,” he explained.
“This exhibition tells the story of how they transformed their grandfather’s jewellery business into one of the most prestigious international jewellery houses with a clientele including royalty, high society and movie stars.”
Cartier was founded in Paris by watchmaker Louis-François Cartier in 1847. His grandsons, Pierre, Louis, and Jacques, took the jewellery brand to London and New York, and King Edward VII described Cartier as the “jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers” in 1904.
The Cartier Collection exhibition has been at the V&A Museum in London since April 2025, and will soon be on loan to Melbourne’s NGV.
More reading
Surrealist jewellery showcase celebrates cultural anniversary
2025 Sydney Fair: From little things, big things grow
Australian Opal Exhibition: Buzz around national gemstone continues to grow
2025 Australian Opal Awards winners in the spotlight
French Queen’s jewellery featured in extravagant showcase
Incredible Cartier exhibition not to be missed