Some believe the idea of metaphysical properties in gems was first cultivated in the ancient cultures of Babylonia and India where astrologers believed gems were filled with magic and spiritual powers. In early societies a stones’ healing and mystical properties had more meaning for its wearer than its aesthetic qualities. Celestial planets were linked to specific stones and this ultimately led to the foundation of our Western birth month, zodiac sign and gemstone traditions.

A popular look for the bold “Right Hand Ring”, this style setting surrounds a larger center stone with several smaller stones. It is designed to create a beautiful larger ring from many smaller stones.

The Akoya pearl is the most familiar type of cultured pearl. Grown in pearl oysters off the coast of Japan, Akoya pearls are created by inserting a nucleus (small shell bead) into the oyster. The oyster becomes irritated by the foreign substance and begins to secrete nacre to cover the material. On the average the pearl spends one to four years in the oyster and grows to between 6 mm to 9mm in size. Even though pearls are harvested en masse on pearl farms, producing a quality pearl is an extremely rare event. It is estimated that half of all nucleated oysters do not survive — and of those that do, only 20% bear marketable pearls.

The company found a six story building at 653 Fifth Avenue which was owned by banker Morton F. Plant. Cartier proposed a trade, their most valuable strand of pearls, which at the time were valued at $1,000,000 for the building. Mrs. Plant gladly accepted the deal. 653 Fifth Avenue is still the current address of Cartier New York.