David Yurman vs Cartier: Which Luxe Jewelry Brand Is Best For You?
David Yurman and Cartier are top luxury jewelry brands, with so many gorgeous pieces you need in your jewelry box, but which one is right for you? Find out in this David Yurman vs Cartier article.
Alongside brands such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston, De Beers, and Tiffany & Co, David Yurman and Cartier are two of the best jewelry brands in the world. Both of these designer jewelry brands offer a wide range of beautiful rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, crafted from luxurious materials, that will add a glamorous touch to any outfit and become an heirloom piece in your jewelry collection.
But with so many incredible pieces on offer, it can be difficult to decide which brand is right for you. That is why we have created this David Yurman vs Cartier article to help you decide which brand you should add to your collection.
We will look at the history of each brand, the key differences between them, and some of the best-selling pieces from both jewelry houses, before coming to a conclusion on David Yurman vs Cartier. Keep reading to find your new must-have brand and perhaps a new necklace, bracelet, or ring you need in your life!
David Yurman vs Cartier
The History of David Yurman
The designer jewelry brand, David Yurman was founded by David and Sybil Yurman in the 1970s in New York City. The husband and wife duo were both artists in their own right before moving to upstate New York and forming a business that specialized in sculptural jewelry, quickly becoming two important figures in the American craft movement.
The brand went from success to success and in 1982, David Yurman created the cable bracelet, which became a signature design in their collection and was in high demand – this twist design now links together the entire David Yurman brand, featuring in many different collections.
In 2004 a men’s collection was added to the David Yurman, designed by Evan Yurman, and it has become known for its use of unusual materials including titanium, carbon fiber, and meteorite in its designs.
David Yurman is now available in stores all over the world, and many department stores throughout the United States, including Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.
The History of Cartier
Cartier was founded in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier when Cartier took over the workshop of his master Adolphe Picard and began to design his own jewelry. However, it was not until Louis, Pierre, and Jacques Cartier took over their grandfather’s modest jewelry company in the 1890s that the brand began to grow rapidly.
Louis Cartier created some of the designs that helped Cartier to become a world-renowned brand, including the Tank watch and the ‘Tutti Frutti’ collection that featured brightly colored jewels. Cartier even began creating jewelry for the royal families of Spain, Portugal, and Serbia, and King Edward VII of Great Britain described the brand as “the jeweler of kings and the king of jewelers”.
The brand has even been a favorite of celebrities for decades too, most famously, Richard Burton bought his wife, Elizabeth Taylor, a Cartier diamond ring, which cost $1.5 million in 1969.
Cartier continues to be one of the most prestigious jewelry manufacturers in the world, with more than 200 stores worldwide, as well as three ‘Temples’ in London, New York, and Paris.
Differences between David Yurman and Cartier
To help us work out which fine jewelry brand is right for you, we are going to take a look at the key differences, including the price range, the materials used, and the brand aesthetic of each label.
1. price range
Let’s begin with the price range. At David Yurman, the bracelets range between $325 and $70,000, necklaces are available for between $165 and $95,000, earrings retail for between $275 and $21,500, and rings are available for $165 and up to $36,000.
If you are looking at Cartier jewelry, you will see that bracelets are available for between $610 and $330,000, necklaces range between $610 and $372,000, earrings retail for between $550 and $169,000, while Cartier rings begin at $760 and go all the way up to $314,000.
As you can see, Cartier is significantly more expensive, with pieces going up into the hundreds of thousands, while the most expensive prices at David Yurman just reach the tens of thousands. If you are on a tighter budget, then David Yurman is a great brand since there are more items that are at a more affordable price point.
2. Materials
The materials used by both brands differ, which changes the look of the jewelry from David Yurman and Cartier. David Yurman uses mostly sterling silver in their jewelry, which you can see from the range of David Yurman jewelry available at Nordstrom. However, there are also yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold pieces, so there is a range of finishes available.
At Cartier, most jewelry collections from the brand are available in white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold, so no matter the design you pick, you can choose the color that best suits your existing jewelry. There are also platinum pieces available from Cartier, although these are mostly engagement rings and wedding bands.
If you like a wide selection of luxurious metals in all your favorite designs, then Cartier is the right brand for you!
3. brand Aesthetics
The brand aesthetics of David Yurman and Cartier are completely different and you may find that one brand suits your personal style more than another.
David Yurman is well-known for their iconic cable design, which features throughout the earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings available from the brand. Most pieces from the brand feature this twisted design, which has been interpreted in many different ways within the David Yurman collection.
Cartier, on the other hand, has a wide range of collections, each with their own distinctive looks, clean lines, and stylish aesthetic. Some of the most popular designs from Cartier include the Juste Un Clou, LOVE, Trinity, Panthere de Cartier, and Clash de Cartier collections.
There is a wide range of stunning collections available from Cartier, so if you are looking for a diverse selection of designs and collections to choose from, then Cartier is the right brand for you.
4. Resale Price
The resale price between David Yurman and Cartier differs greatly as well and this may be something you want to take into consideration when you decide which jewelry brand to go for. David Yurman is a very popular brand in America but is not so world-renowned and the collections are not as instantly recognizable, which means David Yurman pieces do not retain their value well and have a lower resale price.
Cartier is a world-famous brand in the jewelry industry, with many iconic collections that are super glamorous and instantly recognizable – this means Cartier has a great resale value.
If you take a look at any resale sites, such as The RealReal or Fashionphile, you will see plenty of Cartier options available, in great condition, and available for an excellent resale price. So if you are looking for a brand that really retains its value, opt for Cartier.
Best-selling items from David Yurman and Cartier
We have brought together some of the best-selling pieces from David Yurman and Cartier so you can clearly see the difference in styles between these two brands and perhaps even find a piece to add to your own jewelry collection.
1. Necklaces
This David Yurman Initial Charm Necklace would make an excellent gift for a major birthday or special occasion, with a heartfelt personalized touch.
This sterling silver necklace features a delicate chain, at the end of which sits a disc pendant, framed by a twisted cable design and decorated with a diamond-encrusted initial. The simplicity and classic design of this necklace make it ideal for everyday wear.
The Trinity collection is one of our favorite designs from the Cartier brand, with a beautiful, intertwined design. This Trinity necklace has a gold chain with a round pendant sitting at the end, made up of rings of white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold – just gorgeous.
In the center of the pendant, you will see a sparkling, round brilliant-cut diamond to add a little extra sparkle to this necklace.
2. Bracelets
The Cable bracelet is one of the most famous designs from the David Yurman collection, making it a must-have in your jewelry box.
This Cable Classics Bracelet is made from sterling silver, with a twisted design, then finished with a yellow gold ring and semi-precious stones at each end of the cuff style bracelet. There is a wide range of stones to choose from, including black onyx, citrine, freshwater pearls, and blue topaz.
The Cartier LOVE bracelet is one of the most in-demand and popular pieces of jewelry in the world. This iconic design was created by Aldo Cipullo in 1969 in New York City and has been a best-seller for Cartier ever since.
The bracelet features an engraved screw design and an actual screw and screwdriver so you can secure this bracelet to your wrist, symbolizing everlasting love.
3. Rings
We love the layered look of this David Yurman Double X Crossover Ring! This sterling silver ring is made up of layered twisted cable rings, joined together with 18-karat yellow gold X’s to add a pop of color to this statement ring.
The wide ring extends up the finger for a striking, super glamorous look. The cable design is quintessentially David Yurman, while the layered look ensures a stylish aesthetic.
The Juste Un Clou collection is another range of jewelry designed by Aldo Cipullo, with a stunning, distinctive design. This Juste Un Clou ring is crafted from 18-karat white gold and looks like a screw that has been twisted around your finger, complete with a flat head and tapered end.
The unique design is now one of the most popular collections from Cartier and is also available in bracelets, necklaces, and earrings.
Conclusion
There are so many irresistible pieces from David Yurman and Cartier, but you really need to look at the price range and brand aesthetic to work out which brand is right for you.
If you have a smaller budget, love the cable design, and often choose sterling silver jewelry, then David Yurman is the right jewelry brand for you! The cable design is gorgeous but there are lots more beautiful designs too, all available for a relatively affordable retail price.
If you have more money to spend and love striking design and a range of precious metals to choose from, then opt for Cartier. There are so many incredible pieces available from Cartier, with iconic designs and luxurious metals for a high fashion, glam look.
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