Cartier

Over the weekend, we visited the Legion of Honor to see the "Cartier and America" exhibit.

I just don't understand how it's possible to create such wonderful works of art. They are so small, yet they make a big statement when you show up wearing a Cartier diamond tiara.

I can't imagine how hard it is to make these precious pieces of jewelry. You must be so careful to place the diamond perfectly, most likely it's very difficult to take it out of the metal to reset it. You must be careful not a drop the diamond under your table, where you won't be able to retrieve it until some cleaning lady finds it... and keeps it for herself (finders keepers).

There were several "mystery" clocks, and it appeared as though the hands of the clock were floating in mid-air.

Many of the jewelry pieces on display were made for or purchased by Marjorie Merriweather Post, who was heiress of the Post Cereal Empire at the time the jewelry was created for her. She gradually became the richest woman in America. To me, it seems a little strange, that a cereal company owner would be so rich. Cereal is something that isn't all that expensive, and I can't quite imagine a cereal lady owning as many jewels as there were belonging to her.

Another aspect of Cartier in America that surprised me was the condition of all the pieces on display. Many of them are about 70 years old, some older, and they are in perfectly fine condition. Of course, one doesn't wear diamond, ruby, and emerald pendant every day of the year, but I would imagine them to be in worse condition.