Luxury jewelry has historically been a symbol of class and extravagance, which is why this industry has always been highly competitive. Some brands however, have stood well ahead of the rest throughout centuries and remain unrivaled even today.
If you like all things luxury and bling, you must be familiar with the names Chaumet and Cartier. Backed by a rich history and heritage, both of these brands are among the most regal and opulent, high end jewelry brands that ever hit the market.
In this article, I will be comparing Chaumet and Cartier with respect to their quality, aesthetics, value offered for money and much more.
About The Brand
Chaumet
Chaumet was founded in 1780 and since then, has been associated with wealth and royalty. The house introduced jewelry pieces that were unparalleled in quality, craftsmanship and magnificence, and were particularly popular among the nobility of the time such as Empress Jospehine and Napoleon.
Today, Chaumet is seen as an embodiment of French luxury and heritage. It remains popular throughout the world and has a dedicated following of loyal customers that view the brand as a depiction and part of their personas.
Cartier
Cartier is among the most popular jewelry houses in the world today, and is more or less synonymous with wealth and elite class. The brand has been around for nearly two centuries, and since then it is associated with royalty, aristocracy and high society in general.
Even though the addition of perfumes and timepieces in their collection over the past years has been welcomed by their customers, it is Cartier’s finest quality, exquisite jewelry that remains the major reason for its popularity even today.
Quality And Aesthetics
Chaumet
The fact that Chaumet has been endorsed by kings and queens speaks volumes about its quality and caliber.
Chaumet uses the finest quality metals and the rarest of gemstones to create its jewelry, which is why it stands out in a full room. Most of the Chaumet pieces are crafted with 18 carat gold, which is the most expensive type of gold available.
Similarly, the diamonds and other gemstones that the brand uses are also chosen for their supreme shine, sparkle and rarity.
All of this, combined with the centuries old skills and meticulous craftsmanship results in jewelry that is not only jaw droppingly stunning, but also superior in standard.
Although Chaumet has evolved with time to match the demands of the contemporary world, its signature style and aesthetic still revolves around the vintage French heritage, dainty and intricate patterns that are timeless and elegant.
Cartier
Cartier ranks among the most sought after high end jewelry brands today, and for all the right reasons. It crafts jewelry that is meant to last a lifetime, and thus makes sure to employ the finest skills and expertise that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Cartier only uses the best quality metals and diamonds in its products. The brand holds the status of a pioneer in using platinum metal in the formation of jewelry. Today, platinum has become one of the most preferred metals in jewelry making around the world.
As opposed to Chaumet, Cartier freely adds a touch of modern, bold designs in its jewelry collections. Most of its collections have an underlying clean and geometrical aesthetic, and a neutral color palette which gives an overall lavish appearance to them.
Online Shopping Experience
Chaumet
The online shopping experience of Chaumet is particularly important because Chaumet does not have a store in the US.
The Chaumet website is minimalist and easy to navigate, with drop down menus and categories. This allows you to directly reach the tab with your required jewelry i.e rings, necklaces etc, or the desired collection. The website allows you to zoom in on the pictures to make sure that you can view the products closely and from different angles.
In case you are facing a problem or have a query, Chaumet allows you to speak to their representatives over email and call, through their website.
Cartier
Cartier has an appealing website with modern fonts and plenty of pictures and detailed specifications.
The website is quite straightforward, with all the categories and most of the products listed on the first page. This accounts for a hassle-free experience.
Warranty And After Sale Services
Chaumet
Chaumet stands behind its products and offers a number of customer and after sales services, which shows the brand’s confidence in its creations.
If you are not satisfied with your purchase, you can exchange it within 30 days of buying it. Chaumet bears all the shipping and return shipping costs.
Moreover, Chaumet offers hassle-free resizing of rings, ultrasonic cleaning, polishing and repairs of their jewelry at their boutiques, as well as official retailers.
You can also contact Chaumet if you are having a hard time locating an official retailer, and a representative will guide you and make sure you get your desired services.
Cartier
Cartier provides a 2 year warranty with some of its products such as watches and writing instruments. Like most other brands, it offers a 30 days no-question-asked return policy, and bears the shipping and return shipping.
Cartier allows you to avail a myriad of services for your products, such as resizing of rings, cleaning and polishing of jewelry and repair in case of damage. All of these services are available at Cartier official stores.
Chaumet Bee My Love Vs. Cartier Love
Chaumet Bee My Love
The Bee My Love collection is undoubtedly one of Chaumet’s most iconic creations. However, the product that has gained the most popularity has been the BML bracelet.
This is an elegant and exquisite piece that radiates an aura that is more towards the feminine side. The bracelet has a signature honeycomb pattern, which is unique and regal.
However, unlike the Cartier Love, this BML bracelet has not been overexposed and you will not find it on every other arm, which makes it even more special.
The 18K BML bracelet retails for approximately $6000.
Cartier Love
The Cartier Love collection is among the most sought after jewelry collections that have ever been created. It has become a sign of wealth and extravagance, although the over exposure and production of millions of replicas has negatively affected its charm.
The Cartier Love bracelet is made of solid 18K gold, and is thicker and wider than the Chaumet BML. It has a more unisex appearance and is closed with screws.
When compared with the Chaumet BML, this Cartier Love bracelet has undoubtedly been way more popular and well-liked. It retails for about $7500.
Price And Value For Money
Chaumet
As mentioned above, Chaumet is one of the most high end, luxury brands out there. Therefore, it is not surprising that its products are among the most expensive expenditures that one can make.
A 3.5 mm rose gold Chaumet wedding band for instance, costs a whopping $1600.
Nonetheless, Chaumet’s impressive history and the quality of the workmanship explains the high price point and makes it worth the hefty investment for those who value these qualities and can afford it.
Cartier
Cartier is also a high end brand and is very similar to Chaumet in terms of its retail costs. A Cartier wedding band, similar to the Chaumet one mentioned above, with a 4 mm size and rose gold material, retails for $1580. This cost is staggeringly higher than the cost of a regular wedding band without the Cartier label.
Over the years, Cartier has become a symbol of love and commitment in high society. This alone makes the investment worthwhile for a lot of jewelry enthusiasts who can afford it. It is also important to note that Cartier products have a high resale value and only increase in value over the years.
Conclusion
With all the information above, it is not difficult to conclude that Chaumet and Cartier are closely comparable in almost all the parameters that matter.
However, Cartier has been more successful in adapting to the changing trends and bringing a touch of modern aesthetics to its designs while maintaining its timeless and elegant core. This is also a major reason for it being more popular than Chaumet. In addition, the presence of Cartier boutique globally also gives it an edge over Chaumet.
At the end of the day however, the choice is a highly personal one. Here are some other brand comparisons you may want o read before making a purchase decision: