Luxury consumers usually compare renowned luxury jewelry brands Tiffany and Cartier to each other. These brands have become household names all over the world throughout the years, and they always deliver when it comes to launching timeless, unique luxury pieces. Both are some of the oldest luxury jewelry brands, yet they’re still considered the best for several good reasons.
Tiffany and Cartier are popular choices for everyday jewelry, engagement rings, wedding rings, fine jewelry, and statement jewelry, with both brands having iconic, standout pieces. The question is, which of these jewelry brands is worth your money?
Tiffany & Co’s Most Popular Jewelry
If you’re into romantic and instantly recognizable pieces, then you should consider the following from Tiffany & Co.
- Heart Pendant Necklace
One of the best pieces of jewelry Tiffany & Co. offers is the iconic Heart Pendant Necklace. The pendant contains the engraving “Please Return To Tiffany & Co. New York 925” and comes in different sizes and design variations, including in the form of a charm bracelet.
- Solitaire Engagement Ring
If you’re on the market for an engagement ring, Tiffany & Co’s Solitaire Ring is inarguably the most popular diamond engagement ring in the world.
The Iconic Tiffany Box
It may be safe to say that 99.9 percent of Tiffany & Co’s customers treat their Tiffany boxes like they’re pieces of jewelry, too. The famous Tiffany Blue Box is one of, if not the most, instantly recognizable packaging in the entire jewelry industry. The company trademarked the stunning color as Tiffany Blue and listed it as Pantone 1837–the year Charles Lewis Tiffany founded the brand. Desired almost as much as Tiffany jewelry itself, fans of the brand even buy second-hand Tiffany boxes. Learn more about this famous box from the brand itself.
Its popularity led the brand to launch the Tiffany Blue box charm, which is made with the highest quality sterling silver complete with a Pantone 1837 enamel finish.
Read 9 Most Beloved Tiffany and Co. Jewelry Collections for more information on the brand’s best-selling products.
Cartier’s Best Jewelry Collections
For pieces that always make people’s heads turn and jaws drop, Cartier’s fine jewelry collection is for you. The most coveted pieces from the brand include:
- The Cartier Love Collection
Cartier’s most popular jewelry pieces are, without a doubt, from its Love Collection, especially the Cartier Love Bracelet and Love Ring.
The Cartier Love Bracelet is a bangle-style accessory with a unique screw design. Unlike traditional bracelets that you can easily slip on and off your hand, the Love bangle comes with a special screwdriver that locks the jewelry in place, symbolizing being “locked into love” or your unyielding commitment to a special someone. However, you don't need to be in love to wear this icon of a piece. In modern times, the Love Bracelet has also become a symbol of wealth, status, and financial independence.
On the other hand, the Cartier Love Ring doesn't require a screwdriver to be worn and removed. It only bears the same exquisite design as its bracelet counterpart.
The Love Collection is available in 18k yellow gold, 18k white gold, 18k rose gold, and platinum. It also comes in variations adorned with diamonds. Through the years, the collection has expanded to include earrings, necklaces, and dainty bracelets.
Read Certified Iconic: The Six Most Beloved Cartier Collections to find out more about the brand’s best-selling pieces.
Tiffany & Co. Watches vs. Cartier Watches
One of the most popular timepieces from Tiffany’s is the stainless steel Tiffany 1837 Quartz Watch complete with a stunning mother-of-pearl dial and diamond indexes. It costs $3,800 (as of August 2022).
The Tank Louis Cartier Watch is an 18k rose gold beauty set with 40 brilliant-cut diamonds and a beaded crown set with one brilliant-cut diamond weighing 0.65 carat. Timepieces from Cartier are known for their staggering price points, and the Tank Louis is no exception with a price tag of $39,100 (as of August 2022).
Tiffany Prices vs. Cartier Prices
Although both Tiffany & Co. and Cartier produce high-end jewelry, Cartier is the more expensive option. Charles Lewis Tiffany was considered the “King of Diamonds” after De Beers, but Cartier has legitimate royal ties, as Cartier was an official purveyor of jewels to the British crown.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) revealed that Tiffany & Co. rejects over 99 percent of gem-grade diamonds in the marketplace. The brand has a more varied selection of prices in comparison to Cartier, and its standards for diamonds are incredibly high.
So, which should you choose between Cartier and Tiffany? If you want gorgeous luxury jewelry from a high-end royal brand, Cartier is the perfect match for your good tastes. Meanwhile, if you want high-quality diamonds that are worth every dollar despite their price points (and because you now know that their standards for diamonds are almost too high to reach), then Tiffany’s is your best bet.
Tiffany incorporates sterling silver in their offerings, while Cartier uses more platinum and gold. Regardless, both luxury brands produce some of the finest jewelry in the world. Just be cautious of buying sterling silver pieces if your skin has high acidity levels.
Takeaway
If you’re looking forward to splurging on expensive jewelry pieces that retain value better, Cartier is the ideal choice. However, if your budget is smaller and you would rather have diamonds and more affordable metal options like sterling silver, then head to your nearest Tiffany & Co.
To conclude this Cartier versus Tiffany comparison, though they are competitors, both brands are worth your money. Jewelry pieces from Cartier and Tiffany are not only unique, but they also hold their value, which, in some instances, increase over time.
Whichever brand or piece you choose should depend on your personal preferences, whether you want chunky pieces like the Tiffany HardWear Collection or something more bold and striking such as the Cartier Panthère Collection.
The Relux team hopes you found this blog post about Tiffany versus Cartier helpful. If you’re ready to shop, check out our selection of secondhand authentic Cartier and Tiffany jewelry. Best of luck on shopping for your first or next designer jewelry!
