A genuine Cartier Love bracelet or Trinity ring is worth far more than its gold weight — the signature, serial number and design carry a premium a scrap buyer will never pay. We verify the serial and hallmarks, assess your service papers and box, and value the brand alongside the metal and diamonds, offering whichever is higher.
Free insured postage. Written valuation. Paid in 72 hours.
The short answer
To sell Cartier jewellery in the UK, get an authentic, serial-verified valuation rather than a scrap weight. Genuine pieces — Love bracelets, Juste un Clou, Trinity, Panthère and Tank jewellery — are signed "Cartier", carry a unique serial number and a 750 or 950 metal mark, and are worth well above their gold and diamond content because of the brand premium. Fair Vintage verifies the serial and hallmarks, assesses any papers and box, and pays by bank transfer within 72 hours, with free insured postage both ways.
Cartier is the most valuable maker's name in jewellery, and an authentic signature transforms what a piece is worth. This page is for Cartier jewellery — bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings and brooches. If you have a Cartier watch — a Tank, Santos, Ballon Bleu or Panthère timepiece — see our sell Cartier watches page instead, where movement and reference numbers are assessed.
The Cartier Love bracelet — the screw-motif bangle secured with its own screwdriver — is the most sought-after piece in the range. Classic and small models, plain and diamond-set, yellow, rose and white gold. The Love ring and Love necklace share the design and the demand. Valued on model, width, metal, diamonds and the presence of the screws and screwdriver.
The "just a nail" collection — bracelets, rings and necklaces built around Aldo Cipullo's wrapped-nail motif. Plain and pavé-diamond versions in three golds are keenly collected and hold value strongly on the secondary market. Serial number and hallmark confirm authenticity.
The three interlocking bands of yellow, rose and white gold — rings, bracelets and necklaces first designed in 1924. Classic, small, large and pavé versions. A timeless, instantly recognisable design with consistent resale demand across generations.
The panther motif — rings, bracelets, earrings and pendants, often set with tsavorite eyes and onyx markings, some fully pavé with diamonds. Vintage articulated Panthère pieces and modern collection items alike are highly desirable and valued on gem quality, gold and design.
Jewellery inspired by Cartier's icons — Tank and Santos rings, cufflinks and bracelets, and the contemporary Clash de Cartier and Écrou collections. Signed, serial-numbered and hallmarked pieces command the full brand premium.
Earlier signed Cartier Paris, London and New York work — brooches, necklaces, dress rings and gem-set pieces. Older serial formats and archive references help us date and attribute them. Period Cartier is often worth more than comparable modern jewellery for its craftsmanship and rarity.
Authentic Cartier or a copy? It changes everything. A genuine signed and serial-numbered piece carries a premium many times its metal value; a good copy is worth only its gold. Every Cartier piece is signed "Cartier", numbered with a unique serial, and stamped 750 (18ct gold) or 950 (platinum) with a French assay poinçon. If you are unsure, photograph the signature and serial and we will verify it before you post anything.
Every genuine piece is signed Cartier and carries a unique alphanumeric serial number, together with a metal fineness mark — 750 for 18-carat gold or 950 for platinum — and usually a French assay poinçon such as the eagle's head. The engraving is crisp, deep and evenly spaced; counterfeits typically show soft, shallow or misaligned lettering and incorrect serial formats. We cross-reference the serial against known reference and production data, verify the hallmarks, and assess the metal colour, diamond quality, condition of the finish and completeness of screws, fittings and clasps. The Cartier name and design then sit as a premium above the intrinsic gold, platinum and diamond value.
Original certificates, receipts, the branded box and — for a Love bracelet — the screwdriver all help verification and add value, so send whatever you have. None of them is essential: the serial number and hallmarks let us confirm the model and often the year even when the papers are long gone. For guidance on gathering documentation before you sell, see our guide to selling inherited jewellery without feeling rushed.
Serial number and hallmarks verified, papers and box assessed, brand premium valued above the metal and diamonds, and the higher figure offered. Free insured postage both ways. No obligation — we return your jewellery free if you decline.
Request a free valuation →How do I know if my Cartier jewellery is genuine?
Genuine Cartier jewellery is signed "Cartier", carries a unique alphanumeric serial number, and is stamped 750 for 18ct gold or 950 for platinum, usually with a French assay poinçon such as the eagle's head. Crisp, evenly spaced engraving and precise finishing are characteristic. Counterfeits often have soft or misaligned lettering, an incorrect serial format or the wrong metal mark. Email us clear photographs of the signature and serial and we will verify authenticity before you post anything.
Do I need the certificate, box and papers to sell Cartier jewellery?
No — we buy with or without the original certificate, box and receipt. Full documentation and the branded box add value and make verification faster, so send whatever you have. If the papers are lost the piece is still very saleable: the serial number, hallmarks and Cartier's archive records allow us to confirm the model and often the year of production.
How much is a Cartier Love bracelet worth second-hand?
A pre-owned Love bracelet in plain 18ct gold typically retains a strong proportion of its retail price, and diamond-set or larger-width versions command more. Value depends on the metal colour, whether it is the classic or small model, the condition of the finish, and whether the screws and screwdriver are present. Demand is consistently high, so resale values sit far above the gold weight. We quote against live secondary-market evidence, not scrap.
Do you buy Cartier jewellery without the original screwdriver or screws?
Yes. A missing screwdriver or a replaced screw on a Love bracelet or Juste un Clou reduces the figure slightly but does not stop us buying — these parts can be sourced. Do not force or over-tighten the screws yourself. Send the piece as it is, note anything missing, and we factor it into the valuation transparently.
Is my Cartier jewellery worth more than its gold and diamond value?
Almost always. The Cartier name, design and provenance carry a substantial premium over the metal and stone content. A signed Love bangle or Trinity ring is worth considerably more than an unbranded piece of the same weight. We assess the brand and collector value alongside the gold, platinum and diamond value, and offer whichever is higher — which for genuine Cartier is nearly always the brand value.
Which Cartier collections hold their value best?
The Love bracelet is the most consistently sought-after, followed by Juste un Clou, the Trinity ring and bracelet, and Panthère de Cartier. Tank and Santos jewellery, Clash de Cartier and vintage signed brooches and necklaces also retain strong value. Diamond-set and discontinued references can be especially desirable. Whatever the collection, an authentic signature and serial number are the foundation of the valuation.
Do you buy vintage and estate Cartier jewellery?
Yes — vintage and estate Cartier is a specialism. Earlier Tank and Panthère pieces and hand-finished mid-century work, along with signed Cartier Paris, London and New York jewellery, are keenly collected. Older serial formats and archive references help us date and attribute a piece. Period Cartier is valued on model, era, craftsmanship, gem quality and condition, and frequently exceeds the value of comparable modern jewellery.
Should I have my Cartier jewellery cleaned or serviced before selling?
There is no need to pay for a service or professional polish first. A gentle wipe with a soft cloth is enough; aggressive polishing can round crisp edges and wear the hallmarks that prove authenticity. We assess honest, worn condition every day and would rather see the piece as it is than an over-refinished surface. Save the cost of a service — it rarely adds more than it takes off the offer.
Can you buy Cartier jewellery that is engraved or personalised?
Yes. A personal engraving — initials, a date or a message — has only a modest effect on value, as light engraving can usually be polished out during refurbishment. Deep or decorative engraving is assessed case by case. Send the piece with the engraving intact; do not attempt to erase it yourself, as amateur work can damage the surface and the hallmarks.
Do you buy Cartier jewellery inherited through probate or an estate?
Regularly. We provide clear written valuations suitable for executors, and can value an inherited Cartier piece for probate as well as purchase. We never rush a family decision, itemise each piece separately, and return anything you decide to keep free of charge. If several beneficiaries are involved, a written valuation gives everyone an independent, evidenced figure to work from.
Will I pay Capital Gains Tax when I sell Cartier jewellery?
Jewellery is a personal possession, so Capital Gains Tax can apply if a single item sells for more than the £6,000 chattels threshold and shows a gain over what you paid or its probate value. Many single pieces fall under the threshold, but a high-value diamond Cartier item may not. We are not tax advisers — for anything substantial or inherited, confirm your position with HMRC guidance or an accountant. We provide the written sale figures you need.
How does selling my Cartier jewellery to you work?
Request a free, fully insured postage pack, send your Cartier jewellery to our specialists, and receive a written valuation explaining the figure. If you accept, payment is by bank transfer within 72 hours — and we pay a 3% penalty if we miss that guarantee. If you decline, we return the piece free of charge by insured post. Postage is covered both ways and insured up to £5,000, so there is no cost or risk in getting a figure.
Also see: Sell jewellery · Sell diamond rings · Sell Cartier watches · Jewellery valuation
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