Cartier presents Étourdissant—a vibrant high jewellery collection inspired by the colourful days and nights of the French Riviera 

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Photographed by PJ Lam

Imagine the creation of artworks that depict the vibrant hues of the dazzling Mediterranean—using a rich variety of precious gems as your colour palette. That’s precisely what Cartier has achieved with its most recent collection, Étourdissant. Superlatives abound at the sight of the Parisian maison’s latest designs, which will captivate even those who believe they have seen all there is to see in the rarefied world of haute joaillerie.

Indeed, the historic brand is confident about its most recent designs that it chose the name Étourdissant, which loosely translates from the French as “stunning” or “dazzling”— and it’s an entirely appropriate moniker. Exquisite precious stones in vibrant colours are combined with brilliant metals to create bold shapes and form breathtaking jewels that conjure up images of sizzling summer days and sultry nights on the Mediterranean.

It’s no surprise to learn that the collection was influenced by the ethereal beauty of the French Riviera and that the collection was launched (quite aptly) in Cap d’Antibes in the south of France last June. It was presented again in Miami during Art Basel—equally appropriate, as it’s no exaggeration to say that the collection is as much a work of art as it is a showcase of high jewellery. Click through the gallery below to experience the breathtaking collection.


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Photographed by PJ Lam

The Étourdissant collection comprises two halves: Daylight, which is bursting with colour in a celebration of sunny skies, sparkling oceans and myriad flora, and Evening Shadows, which presents darker, deeper shades that are reminiscent of night-time strolls under a blanket of stars.

Left: Altière brooch in platinum with rubellite drop, onyx, emerald eyes, rock crystal, calibrated rubies and diamonds by Cartier; belt (worn as a choker) by Salvatore Ferragamo

Right: Marina earrings and bracelet in yellow gold with nephrite jade and diamonds by Cartier; swimsuit by Michael Kors Collection


       
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Photographed by PJ Lam

The most precious gemstones—including diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, opals, tourmalines, corals, tanzanites, garnets and chrysoprases—have been chosen for the richness of their materials and their unique ways of transforming light. There are some Cartier classics incorporated in the designs, too, including the celebrated panther and much-loved tutti-frutti favourites. There are also new shapes, with stones that have been specially calibrated to radiate the vast range of vibrant colours.

Left: Arabica necklace and bracelet in white gold with sapphires, aquamarines and diamonds by Cartier; dress by Hugo Boss

Right: Sindura bracelet and earrings in platinum with carved rubies, onyx and brilliant-cut diamonds by Cartier; dress by Salvatore Ferragamo


           

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Possibly the loveliest piece of all is the Hyderabad headband, which is comprised of platinum, an 18.23-carat carved octagonal-shaped emerald from Colombia, carved sapphires and emeralds, ruby drops, ruby, emerald and sapphire beads, onyx, triangular-shaped diamonds, brilliant-cut diamonds, and a silk cord. Amazingly versatile, the headband can also be worn as a bracelet or a choker. Also gorgeous is a cuff that incorporates a glittering 189-carat opal of purple, pink, green and blue that features an irregular setting, which consists of a complex mosaic of purple sapphires, emeralds and pavé diamond triangles.


       

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The mix of tutti-frutti stones can be seen in the Pushkar earrings, which blend carved garnets of orange and green with purple tanzanites and diamonds, and which are helmed by two smooth black opals that are cabochon-cut and set in white gold and diamonds. Equally colourful is a special deep-orange coral, which features in the Flamboyant range in a cuff that is contrasted with black onyx and white diamonds, while the Teinte bracelet combines the coral with a pale-green chrysoprase and onyx.


                

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Photographed by PJ Lam

Other exceptional pieces include a necklace of amethyst and fire-opal beads, which embraces a 175-carat amethyst cabochon with a panther atop it, while another panther features in an art deco-style piece incorporating a three-dimensional rock crystal, baguette diamonds and a cornflower-blue sapphire cabochon.

Panthère Mystérieuse pendant watch in white gold with diamonds, onyx and agate emerald eye by Cartier; swimsuit by Fella Swimwear


            

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Photo courtesy of Cartier

The platinum Garance necklace boldly blends two cushion-shaped rubies from Mozambique and 26 round- and oval-shaped rubies from Burma with diamonds in a knotted design—and the matching Garance earrings are a must. Then there’s the sautoir made with amethyst and chalcedony stones, and a pretty pink and white gold necklace with clusters of brown and white diamonds that look like sea urchins.

There’s so much to covet in this collection, which is exceptional even by Cartier’s elevated standards. After 160 years in the industry, the legendary Parisian maison has once again surpassed itself.


 Photographed by PJ Lam; Styled by Justine Lee