Tutti Frutti

Tutti Frutti

Sapphires, rubies and carved emeralds – Tutti Frutti creations are emblematic of the Cartier style, a result of the meeting between creativity and jewellery-making technique. An inspiration that is more alive than ever and that continues to explore the interplay of gemstones, volume and modularity within dazzling pieces.

Origins and influences

In 1911, Jacques Cartier undertook his first journey to India where he discovered the culture of carved stones. In the following decade, the Maison combined these gemstones with plant-inspired designs. Initially described in Cartier’s registers using the term “foliage”, this creative genre adopted the name Tutti Frutti in the 1970s and was registered as a trademark by the Maison in 1989. Today it is one of Cartier’s signature styles.

Carved stones

Emeralds, rubies and sapphires, carved or sculpted into the shape of leaves, flowers or berries, or cut into fluted beads: these stones, emblematic of traditional Indian jewellery, came to inspire Cartier through never-before-seen colour combinations.

Loyal clients and Tutti Frutti style

The passion for this unique jewellery spread across the entire world, enchanting a sophisticated clientele who appreciated fashion and the arts. They included Lady Mountbatten (1901-1960) and Daisy Fellowes (1890-1962), who were considered two of the world’s most elegant women.

From the 1920s to the present day, discover the Tutti Frutti style through eight iconic creations

Cartier savoir-faire: the quest to continually go further

For Tutti Frutti creations, the journey from design to the realised object represents the first of many challenges. This stage entails numerous unknown elements and requires minute adjustments, sometimes even including re-conceptions. Another challenge, unique to Tutti Frutti, is that the carved stones must never overlay one other. The jewellers design and create fine custom-made, invisible and light armatures which are affixed to the back of the necklace like metal lace. For adjustable pieces, the modularity requires the use of ingenious constructions which are entirely undetectable. Cartier's savoir-faire is the result of a dialogue between designers, jewellers and engineers. It is developed through at times unexpected encounters and brought to life through a process of evolutions.