It’s All In The Name
“Tiffany’s!… Cartier!… Black Starr!… Frost Gorham!… Talk to me Harry Winston! Tell me about it!…” These immortal words, uttered by Marilyn Monroe, are as true today as they were in 1953. Signed jewels by the leading jewellery houses have always been in great demand, with their combination of style, quality and workmanship.
Such is the power of a name that a vintage piece by Cartier can be worth between three and five times as much as a comparable piece by an unknown maker. Known as “jeweller to kings, king of jewellers”, the house of Cartier has held warrants from the Royal courts of the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Russia, Siam, Greece, Serbia, Belgium, Romania, Egypt, and Albania.
Founded in 1847 by Louis-Francois Cartier, and inherited by his son Alfred in 1874, it was to be Alfred’s three sons, Louis, Pierre and Jacques who would establish the name of Cartier on the world stage, each taking control of the branches in Paris, New York and London respectively.
Yet it is not just the name of Cartier that can command a premium. Van Cleef & Arpels, the French makers of “haute” jewellery for the rich and famous, (and who, incidentally, patented the technique of the invisible setting whereby stones are cut to fit the mount and held in place from the reverse), are also a highly sought-after brand name.
Founded in 1896 by Salomon Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef, they opened their first shop in 1906, in Paris, at 22 Place Vendome. Since their inception they have supplied jewellery to the likes of Marlene Dietrich, Ava Gardner, Barbara Hutton, the Duchess of Windsor and King Farouk of Egypt.
Tiffany & Co was initially founded in New York in 1837 as a stationery and fancy goods emporium. The company was originally run by Charles Lewis Tiffany and Teddy Young, but the name was shortened to Tiffany & Co in 1853, when Charles Tiffany took control, and the firm began to put more emphasis on jewellery. Tiffany jewels have been worn by the Astors, Vanderbilts, Huttons and Morgans as well as many Hollywood stars and members of European royal families.
In the current economic climate, jewellery by leading brands, such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels or Tiffany - to name a few - are going to hold their value more than unsigned pieces. So, if you are looking for a short term loan, and you have brand name jewellery to pledge as security, you will get a better loan offer than you would for a comparable, unsigned piece.
If you are interested in a loan, visit Borro.com today, or call us, free, on 0800 756 9877.
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