The Cartier Mansion is a six-floor former residence-turned-boutique located on the corner of 52nd Street and 5th Avenue in New York City. Anyone can tour the first four floors of boutique space, but the events space and roof deck above that are off-limits.
As soon as you enter the Cartier Mansion, the enormous scale is apparent.
This first entry room also showcases the latest and greatest of Cartier's collection, including a new southwest-inspired collection called Cactus de Cartier.
This prickly but elegant necklace is made from 18K yellow gold and emeralds, and set with 204 brilliant-cut diamonds. Like many of Cartier's best pieces, the price is available upon request — don't ask if you don't want to know.
There's also a portrait of Mae Caldwell Manwaring Plant, the wife of Morton F. Plant, who had originally owned the house.
But times changed, and the neighborhood became much more commercial. In 1917 the mansion was sold to Cartier for $100 in cash, plus a perfect double-stranded natural pearl necklace estimated to be worth $1 million at the time (about $20 million now).
That strand of pearls inspired this one, which was created in celebration of the mansion's renovations. The original has sadly been lost to history, disappearing after selling for a fraction of its estimate in an estate sale after Mae Caldwell Manwaring Plant died.
In the renovations, a staircase was added above the home's original 52nd Street entrance. A staircase was in the original home when it was a residence, and has been restored in a similar location.
Also featured in this main vestibule is Cartier's Love collection. The bracelets are easily identifiable, cost about $6,000, and come with a screwdriver that the wearer must use to put them on. The bracelets are a favorite of celebrities and frequently make an appearance on "Keeping Up With the Kardashians."
The panther motif can be see throughout the mansion, like in this large painting. It's a Cartier symbol dating back to 1914, when the brand's advertising featured a panther.
The panther is now synonymous with the brand and has its own collection, Panthére de Cartier.
Upstairs, a mid-floor mezzanine for VIP clients hangs over the main floor. The furniture used throughout the mansion was sourced by Despont. Some of them are antique Cartier pieces, but many are brand new and created just for the boutique.
There's a plush, closed-door salon for clients requesting a bit of privacy in their jewelry transactions.
The second floor is where the real magic happens. This brightly decorated room is known as the Princess Grace Salon after Grace Kelly, and it contains Cartier's diamond collection.
Chief among them is Cartier's engagement ring collection.
Many of the diamonds shine so brightly, their glimmer seems artificial.
The collection also includes non-engagement diamond rings.
Cartier is famous for its red gift boxes, which are highlighted throughout the mansion.
The eastern side of the second floor contains the brand's high jewelry and vintage-inspired designs.
Many of these are more elaborate and colorful than Cartier's other designs.
They vintage-inspired jewelry pays homage to past Cartier pieces.
The pieces play on Cartier's storied past, putting it in context in the present.
The oak paneling used throughout the home was salvaged and modeled into the new room designs. Some of the detailing is original.
The high jewelry salon is named after Elizabeth Taylor, a famous wearer of Cartier's fine jewels.
These pieces are the most expensive and elaborate Cartier has to offer — they're the shiniest of the shiny.
There are large pearl necklaces ...
... matching glimmering sapphires ...
... and enormous diamond rings.
Barriers were removed from the interior of the mansion, and you can see clear from one side to the next on each floor.
The third floor is where wristwatches are given their chance to shine.
Cartier has a long history with making watches.
Arguably the most famous of Cartier's watch offerings is the Tank, which is considered the most iconic watch to have a rectangular face.
They come in an incredible variety, including some that showcase the brand's expertise with precious metals.
Men's watches can be found in the Andy Warhol salon. Warhol was a noted fan of the Tank, and was frequently photographed wearing his.
The men's Tank models were on display as well.
This room, filled with watches, is named after Gary Cooper, another noted fan of Cartier pieces. It's encased in real leather wallpaper.
The price of Cartier's watches can reach the tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
We finish our tour on the fourth and final floor of retail, which hosts Cartier's accessories collections.
Some of these accessories are more elaborate versions of the watches seen downstairs.
Some of the accessories are a little less practical, like this hawk-shaped desk pen.
The brand continues to have loads of appeal with celebrities and tastemakers. The Weeknd recently wore a similar panther ring on the cover of his new album.
