S.F. Bay Area — California
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Attractions
The Legion of Honor
"Cartier and America" Exhibit
 — Dec 19, 2009-April 18, 2010*

*Extended Thru' May 9, 2010

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

Cartier, New York, Bandeau, 1924

"Cartier and America" Exhibit
Diamonds really are a girl's best friend! OMG... wait until you see this stunning "Cartier and America" exhibit. If you like fine jewelry... and who doesn't, you won't want to miss this exhibit — exclusively at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. Even if you're not into jewelry, this exhibit goes way beyond fine jewelry — these are pieces of magnificent works of art and history.

There hasn't been an exhibit like this anywhere in the world for 20 years. The last one was in Paris and since then, a significant number of pieces have been added that weren't available previously. There's no other place in the world (not even Cartier in Paris) where you can see this exquisite display of jewels.

Cartier, London, Necklace, 1932

Cartier celebrates its 100th year in America anniversary with this eye-catching exhibit — the jewelry and works of art include pieces from the Private Collection of Cartier. The dazzling exhibit features a spectacular array of more than 200 objects, including jewelry of the Gilded Age and Art Deco periods.

Cartier, Paris, special order 1936,
altered in 1963 - "Tutti Frutti" Necklace

Celebrity & Royalty Pieces
Follow the history of the House of Cartier and get up-close views of famous pieces owned by Americans, including a pair of rock crystal and diamond bracelets worn by Gloria Swanson in the movie "Sunset Boulevard" and Daisy Fellowes’s famous “Tutti Frutti” necklace (photo above).

Duke & Duchess of Windsor
See the exotic "Flamingo Clip Brooch," made up of diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, citrine and platinum. The Duke of Windsor provided Cartier with four bracelets and had the brooch made as a special order for the Duchess of Windsor in 1940 — it has never been seen in a museum before now.

Cartier Paris, Flamingo Clip Brooch, 1987

The "Panther Clip" Brooch (photo right), made up of sapphires, diamonds, yellow diamonds, platinum and white gold (bought by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor in 1949), is yet another exquisite piece of jewelry— the Kashmir cabochon sapphire is 152 carats.

Princess Grace of Monaco
For the first time, an American museum features the personal jewelry of Princess Grace of Monaco (from the time of her wedding to Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, in 1956), including her Engagement Ring (a 10.47-carat emerald-cut diamond set with two baguette diamonds mounted in platinum, pictured right) — it's absolutely breathtaking! Her Grand Diamond Necklace (a wedding gift) is equally spectacular. Grace Kelly wore her diamond engagement ring on the set of her last film, the 1956 movie "High Society" before she became Princess of Monaco.

Elizabeth Taylor
Wait until you see Liz Taylor's fabulous Ruby and Diamond Necklace, Bracelet and Earrings — a gift from husband Mike Todd (see pics top right). The jewels are truly stunning.

Cartier New York,
Star of South Africa Brooch, 1917

One of our favorite pieces is the "Star of South Africa" Brooch — also known as the Dudley Diamond (Lady Dudley) — the historical diamond and platinum piece (pictured above) is strikingly beautiful.

Cartier London, Tiara, 1936

Exhibition curator Martin Chapman declares, "This is a great opportunity to see some of the finest pieces of jewelry, clocks, and works of art by the legendary firm of Cartier — made for Americans or made in America.”

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Cartier Paris,
Snake Necklace, 1968

Cartier, Paris, Bib Necklace, 1947

The "Cartier and America" Exhibit is one of the best we've been to at the Legion of Honor — we can't wait to go back again!

See More Cartier Exhibit Pictures

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