Little Richard may have wailed, “Tutti Frutti, aw- rooty” in mid 1955, but the House of Cartier was decades ahead of the flamboyant rhythm and blues singer.
Jacques Cartier originally created his luscious over-the-top jewelry design in the 1920s using richly hued sapphire, ruby and emerald, often accented with diamonds. This opulent combination became synonymous with the House of Cartier. Genuine tutti-frutti jewels of the era were set in platinum, as were all haute couture jewels of the day.
Socialite Daizy Fellows commissioned an enormous tutti-frutti neckpiece from Cartier in 1936. Known as an elegant woman of taste, and possibly one with outrageous taste, the stand out piece was deliberately head-turning.
The term tutti-frutti is still occasionally used in reference to colorful jewelry today. But the iconic Cartier meant it to be one made of the trio of precious gemstones; ruby, sapphire and emerald, and possibly diamonds.
Award winning trade journalist and gemologist Diana Jarrett is also a Registered Master Valuer Appraiser and a member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA). She’s a popular speaker at conferences and trade shows. Jarrett writes for trade and consumer publications, various online outlets, and for sightholders and other industry leaders.. Contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , visit her website, www.dianajarrett.com, and/or follow her on FaceBook and Twitter (Loupey).
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
