Cartier Interlocking Love Necklace in 18k White Gold
About the Item
- Creator:
- Design:Love NecklaceLove Collection
- Metal:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:21st Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Philadelphia, PA
- Reference Number:
Love Necklace
The Cartier Love necklace’s pendant features horizontal lines in the engraved “O” shapes, a reference to the round screws used to lock and unlock the bracelet that birthed this signature collection.
Initially requiring a small gold-vermeil screwdriver to wear and remove, the Love bracelet offered radical new symbolism about the eternity of love when it was launched by the legendary luxury jewelry house. Transgressive with its locking mechanism and timeless with its style — it was meant to be worn by a man or woman and match any outfit so you never had to take it off — the bracelet redefined romance in jewelry.
Italian designer Aldo Cipullo (1935–84) created the Love bracelet shortly after he joined Cartier in 1969. Born in Rome, his interest in jewelry was sparked by his father, Giuseppe, who had a costume jewelry company. Immigrating to New York City in 1959, he studied at the School of Visual Arts and went on to work with Tiffany & Co. and David Webb, though the Love bracelet at Cartier was his first big success.
The bracelet’s semicircle halves are connected by a locking mechanism. And the screwdriver that opens it can also be worn as a necklace, maybe by the person who gifted it and holds “the key” to the recipient’s heart. As Cipullo said in the late 1960s, “What modern people want are love symbols that look semipermanent — or, at least, require a trick to remove. After all, love symbols should suggest an everlasting quality.”
The Love design was not Cipullo’s sole hardware-inspired jewelry for Cartier; his unisex Juste un Clou (“just a nail”) bracelet takes the form of a curved nail. Cipullo spent only five years with Cartier, eventually moving on to start his own jewelry business, but his work remains among the house’s top sellers.
Cartier now offers a whole Love line that echoes the screw motif in all manner of adornment. The collection’s necklaces, watches, rings, earrings and cufflinks are made for versatility in daily wear, albeit in more user-friendly designs. The circular shape of the chain-link Cartier Love necklace, with its lobster-claw closure, presents its own symbol of eternity, with versions in yellow and rose gold as well as those embellished with bezel-set diamonds.
Cartier
For its extraordinary range of bracelets, watches, rings and other adornments, French luxury house Cartier is undeniably one of the most well known and internationally revered jewelers in the world among clients both existing and aspirational.
Perhaps 1847 was not the ideal time to open a new watchmaking and jewelry business, as the French Revolution was not kind to the aristocracy who could afford such luxuries. Nevertheless, it was the year Louis-François Cartier (1819–1904) — who was born into poverty — founded his eponymous empire, assuming control of the workshop of watchmaker Adolphe Picard, under whom he had previously been employed as an assistant. Of course, in the beginning, it was a relatively modest affair, but by the late 1850s, Cartier had its first royal client, Princess Mathilde Bonaparte, niece of Napoleon Bonaparte, who commissioned the jeweler to design brooches, earrings and other accessories.
Under the leadership of Louis-François’s son, Alfred, who took over in 1874, business boomed. Royalty around the world wore Cartier pieces, including Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, the Maharaja of Patiala and King Edward VII, who had 27 tiaras made by the jewelry house for his coronation in 1902 and issued Cartier a royal warrant in 1904. (Today, the British royal family still dons Cartier pieces; Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, regularly sports a Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch.)
Cartier’s golden years, however, began when Alfred introduced his three sons, Louis, Pierre and Jacques, to the business. The brothers expanded Cartier globally: Louis reigned in Paris, Pierre in New York and Jacques in London, ensuring their brand’s consistency at their branches across the world. The trio also brought in such talents as Charles Jacqueau and Jeanne Toussaint.
One of Cartier’s earliest major successes was the Santos de Cartier watch — one of the world's first modern wristwatches for men. (Previously, a large number of people were using only pocket watches.) Louis designed the timepiece in 1904 for his friend, popular Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who wanted to be able to check the time more easily while flying.
Cartier’s other famous timepieces include the Tank watch, which was inspired by the linear form of military tanks during World War I, and the so-called mystery clocks. Invented by watchmaker and magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin and later crafted exclusively for Cartier in the house’s workshop by watchmaker Maurice Couët, the mystery clocks were so named because the integration of glass dials on which the clocks’ hands would seemingly float as well as structures that are hidden away within the base give the illusion that they operate without machinery.
On the jewelry side of the business, Cartier’s internationally renowned offerings include the Tutti Frutti collection, which featured colorful carved gemstones inspired by Jacques’s trip to India and grew in popularity during the Art Deco years; the panthère motif, which has been incorporated into everything from brooches to rings; and the Love bracelet, a minimal, modernist locking bangle inspired by medieval chastity belts that transformed fine jewelry.
While the Cartier family sold the business following the death of Pierre in 1964, the brand continues to innovate today, renewing old hits and creating new masterpieces.
Find contemporary and vintage Cartier watches, engagement rings, necklaces and other accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Philadelphia, PA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Cartier Diamond Charm Necklace and Charm Bracelet Set in 18k White GoldBy CartierLocated in Philadelphia, PACartier diamond charm necklace and charm bracelet set in 18k white gold, accompanied by a Cartier pouch. This set features 5 removeable 18kwg ...Category
Early 2000s French Charm Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Bulgari Parentesi Adjustable Length Diamond Pendant Necklace in 18k Rose GoldBy BulgariLocated in Philadelphia, PABulgari Parentesi adjustable length diamond pendant necklace in 18k rose gold The pendant features 64 round brilliant cut diamonds totaling approximately 1.18 carat with F-G color a...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
- Amulette De Cartier Diamond, Lapis & Mother of Pearl Necklace in 18k White GoldBy CartierLocated in Philadelphia, PAAmulette De Cartier diamond, lapis and mother of pearl necklace in 18k white gold. This necklace features 4 lapis motifs measuring approximately 17mm each, as well as 6 mother of pe...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Cartier Agrafe Diamond Necklace in 18k White GoldBy CartierLocated in Philadelphia, PACartier diamond link necklace in 18k white gold from the Agrafe collection, accompanied by Cartier certificate of authenticity. This ne...Category
Early 2000s Link Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Cartier Diamond Pasha Pendant Necklace in 18kwg W/ Certificate of AuthenticityBy CartierLocated in Philadelphia, PACartier 18k white gold and diamond Pasha pendant on a black cord necklace accompanied by a Cartier certificate of authenticity. This pendant features ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond
- Bulgari 7.70 Carat Round Diamond Link Necklace in 18k White GoldBy BulgariLocated in Philadelphia, PAThis Bulgari link necklace features approximately 7.70 carats of round brilliant cut diamonds with G-H color and VS clarity, set in 18k white gold. The necklace measures 15.75" lo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Cartier Baby Love Necklace in 18K White GoldBy CartierLocated in Naples, FLCartier Baby Love Necklace In 18K White Gold. This Necklace Has 2 interlocking Love Rings On A 16" Chain. SN. FO3604Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Materials18k Gold, White Gold
- Vintage Panthère De Cartier Pendant Necklace in 18k White GoldBy CartierLocated in London, GBA beautiful vintage Cartier 'Panthère De Cartier' panther pendant necklace set in 18k white gold. The pendant depicts Cartier's most iconic motif, the panther, made of geometric openwork yellow gold and set with two pear cut tsavorite garnet eyes. The panther elegantly hangs from a Cartier 65...Category
2010s Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, White Gold
- 18K White Gold Interlocking Circle NecklaceLocated in Old Tappan, NJ18K white gold interlocking circle necklace furnished with round brilliant-cut diamonds 0.16 carats total weight. * Diamonds are G color, VS2/SI1 clarity * Interlocking circle penda...Category
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Vintage Cartier Pink Tourmaline Cushion Cut 18k White Gold Tank Pendant NecklaceBy CartierLocated in Birmingham, GBVintage Pink Rubellite Tourmaline 18 Karat White Gold Pendant Necklace. Stunning white gold pendant set with a 5.6mm tension set fine pink rubellite tourmaline. Fine jewellery hou...Category
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsTourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
- White Diamond Rose Cut Pendant Necklace in 18k White GoldLocated in Los Angeles, CAGorgeous 0.65 ct. rose cut pear shape with 0.80 ct. rose cut pear shapes white diamond rounds handmade in 18k white gold. This pendant is chic and feminine.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsWhite Diamond, White Gold
- 18k White Gold Crescent Moon NecklaceLocated in Venice, CAThis 18k white gold crescent moon necklace is encrusted with sparkling diamonds. The crescent moon has a rounded shape, with wonderful dimension...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, White Gold
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How to Spot a Fake Cartier Love Bracelet
This iconic jewel has captured countless hearts with its elegant design and its amatory symbolism. Counterfeiters have taken note of the demand and created fake versions. If you’re looking for a genuine Cartier Love bracelet, it’s crucial to check all the elements for authenticity. Our guide will teach you the telltale traits of a knockoff.
The 14 Most Iconic Watches for Women
Style, craft and heritage combine to make these designs undeniable classics.