Cartier Glasses and Sunglasses
Your #1 source for Cartier Glasses!
Learn to spot the difference between fake and real Cartier frames, lenses, sunglasses and eyeglasses.
Cartier is one of the big names in jewelery and Cartier eye glasses can bring that same level of bling to your eye wear. Whether you are looking for a nice pair of designer sunglasses or something that is more everyday for driving and reading there is something to offer in most of the Cartier eye wear collection. There are even Cartier eyeglasses for men. Choosing Cartier means you have over a hundred and fifty years of design and style put into a thoughtful and classy piece of fashion, something that many other companies cannot boast. Though more famous for it’s watches and jewelry many brands are starting to branch out further in an attempt to get more revenue from shoppers in this tough economic climate.
Cartier is one of the foremost names in french couture. They have designed some of the most famous pieces of jewelry including the first functional wrist watch, a brooch for Wallis Simpson and a diamond necklace for the Maharaja of Patiala. Their work with precious metals and gems speaks for itself with many celebrities and royals alike sporting their work. When Cartier began creating eyeglasses they tried to instill the same jeweled fancy into them. Their pieces are priced in line with their famous name, which for many will be far out of budget. In 2011 they released the Panthère collection of eye wear that incorporates the iconic panther right into the metal frame of the glasses. The glasses are available in 4 different colors and 2 different finishes.
When looking to purchase Cartier glasses you might be looking at paying more for the box alone than most other pairs of designer sunglasses cost for the entire package. These are certainly not a cheap piece of couture and though certainly there are fakes and knock offs available they just aren’t even close to the originals. Authentic Cartier eyeglasses will run you several thousand dollars just for the frames alone and certainly won’t be found at your local Lenscrafters. Shopping online will give you a rough idea of what you might be paying for something like these with a used pair of consignment Cartier sunglasses starting around $300. Sunglasses tend to be the cheapest in designer eye wear since there are no expensive lenses or adjustments needed, though if you want to add in prescription lenses your optometrist should be more than happy to help. When buying used or consignment however there really is no guarantee to the purchase and without an original receipt or some guarantee from Cartier itself there is nothing saying you aren’t buying a very good copy and wasting your money. Original pieces will come with a certificate that guarantees your purchase but again there is nothing saying that can’t be faked as well. Be very careful when considering buying a pair second hand,even if it is cheaper, because of this.
A pair of simple wired Cartier frames will run you about $900 used if you find a deal on them, without the lenses. Compared to many other designer eyeglasses this might seem absolutely extortionate. Gucci eyeglasses for example will only run you about $150 for the frames brand new. The reason for this huge difference in price is that Cartier simply can afford to make you pay for their name and quality. Finding Cartier frames new will usually mean going to a very high end optometrist in a large city like London or New York and possibly having to wait by ordering them. Finding them new will cost you well over $1000 and often as much as $2000 to find a pair of frames alone. Though this might seem ridiculous it is simply the exclusive way of designer fashion.
Different types of glasses will also affect the price you pay. Rimmed and framed glasses cost much less than those that seem to be almost invisible. This is partly because of the popularity and partly because of the intricate design balance needed in creating a pair of glasses that seems not to be there. Cartier eyeglasses rimless models are usually a lot more expensive than those with complete frames. Rimless frames start around $1899 and just continue going up from there. Frankly there is nothing exceptional about the rimless models as they look similar to most other designer’s and in this instance you really are paying for the name of the brand alone.
Cartier eyeglasses may be something of a designer dream for most people. Though having any item with the name Cartier immediately brings to mind a vintage couture and opulence that most people can never afford the eye glasses certainly don’t do anything to dispel that idea. Their work comes in a variety of shapes and sizes with sunglasses often being the cheapest choice, though that word is used rather loosely considering the price tag. With such an astronomical price tag it isn’t a wonder that there are so many copies and fakes of their work out there. Cartier eye glasses might be more than a name in design but their glasses certainly do not look that much different from other designer models, which begs the question why pay more?
Forgetting about the “great deal” found online, direct from the manufacturer, these glasses are pricey. On the company retail website, they fetch a minimum of 500 dollars, with the most expensive models selling for upwards of 2,000 dollars. On one particular pair, the “Santos De Cartier Rimmed Sunglasses” Cartier won’t even tell you the price, at least not at first. You have to request a quote from them and most people will never take the time to fill out the form and find, shockingly, that the price is a steal, at only 1,690 dollars!. At some point, you are not only just paying for the quality of craftsmanship or materials, but for the history of the name and the company, and the story of that is a short but stunning combination of style and salesmanship.
The birth of the brand came when Cartier was established in the former workshop of master-craftsman Aldophe Picard, located in Paris, at 29, Rue Montorgueil. Louis-François Cartier bought the shop in 1847 and served as the head of the family-owned jewelrs shop until his death in 1904. His son, Alfred, participated in the daily affairs of the business, as well as his grandsons, Pierre, Jocque Louis. While Louis-François and Alfred handled the production side, the grandsons formed the brand’s reputation worldwide.
Pierre Camille Cartier was sent to Russia to become well versed in the techniques of enamel and stone used by Peter Carl Faberge, so that Cartier would not fall behind in the competitive markets in the East. Rather, through the use of the hard enamels and stone animal motifs used in Russia, Cartier won influential customers in the nobility and aristocracy. In 1909 he went to New York, where he won the favor of American Industrialists like Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, and Ford. He also sold the magnificent blue “Hope” diamond during this time.
Jacques Theodule Cartier was the company’s expert on fine pearls and although the youngest grandson, he was also entrusted with the London office of Cartier in 1902. Through this office he would influence the royal family’s of the U.K. and the Orient. Several settings of fine pearls were set in London at the behest of envious Maharajahs who wanted the new Cartier style. It was also during this time that the phrase “Joaillier des Rois, Roi des Joailliers” (Jeweler of Kings, King of Jewelers) was coined by Edward VII of England.
Louis Joseph Cartier was the eldest grandson of founder Louis-François, and quite possibly had the biggest impact on creating the fortunes of the company on the 20th century. It was through his innovation that Cartier expanded the meaning of Haute Joaillerie (High Jewelry design) to include not only but also high-quality accessories. He expanded the company’s interests into clock making and started producing the first ladies wristwatches in 1888. The watch would become popularized for men (up to this point pocket watches were the expected norm of a gentleman) by Cartier under Louis’ stewardship. Platinum would also begin to be used in jewelry for the first time because of Cartier. Colorful jewels and art deco features would also make their way into Cartier works while Louis Joseph oversaw designs, and Cartier would gain the patent for the “invisible setting” (patented under the name “”)
The introduction of silver as a mode of Haute Joaillerie was also introduced by Cartier. Jeanne Toussaint was a designer working for Louis Joseph when in 1933 she took over design of the company’s “S” division. They introduced “Les Must de Cartier”, a line of perfume and accessories in silver, enamel, and leather. Toussaint would later become the responsible for all Haute Joaillerie production during the occupation of France during WWII, and created designs “Caged Bird” and “Free Bird” inspired by the oppression.
Sadly, the death of the three grandsons brought an end to the family-owned enterprise. In 1968 Robert Hocq, developer of the first gas cigarette lighter, partnered with Cartier to brand a luxury version of his invention. In 1972, when it was acquired by private investors. But not completely. The sole Paris location would need to be joined with its London and New York counterparts, as well as reunification with the “Les Must de Cartier” (their line of luxury perfumes). After nine years, CEO Robert Hocq had succeeded in doing just that.
Cartier has always been a prestigious name associated with creating trends in the market we still see even today. The influence of the company is a point of pride to all who know and wear the brand, and with a reputation like Cartier has it isn’t hard to see.
*Guide is courtesy of DesignerEyes.com
In this article, we will cover the common details that all Cartier glasses are known for and in turn, share the differences between real Cartier eyeglasses vs Fake Cartier glasses. The general fundamentals, joined with the precise details shown below will give you the knowledge necessary to ensure that you are purchasing authentic Cartier glasses.
The first thing to look at when trying to determine if you have purchased real Cartier Eyes is the overall quality of the frames. Paint wearing or chipping, as well as misspellings, are easy indicators of fake Cartier glasses.
Below are seven areas to examine when determining if you have purchased authentic Cartier eyeglasses
Majority of Cartier glasses have their logo stamped, or etched onto the lens. The key difference here, from many of the fakes, is the quality of the stamp. Frequently, the counterfeiters will use a cheap screen print method to stamp on the Cartier logo. The screen print method gives the logo no texture, whereas an authentic pair of Cartier glasses has a logo with a texture. An easy test to see if you have purchased fake Cartier glasses is by running your finger over the lens stamp—if it is counterfeit, you will not feel anything. On an authentic pair of Cartier glasses, however, you should be able to feel the etching or some type of texture. This easy test will indicate if you have purchased authentic or counterfeit Cartier glasses.
Authentic Cartier bridge piece separating the two lenses should feature the bridge measurements. In some cases, the model number is printed here as well. In our example, the bridge piece gives the width of 20mm. The etching should be centered within the bridge piece. Just because these details are present in an area that is unlikely to be seen does not mean that the quality of the glasses should degrade. Every detail, regardless of the function or the area it is found in, should maintain the same level of uniform Cartier quality.
Typically, Cartier has their logo stamped on both nose pieces featured on the inside of the glasses. This is a detail that many counterfeiters neglect, as the majority of consumers do focus on minor details and only pay attention to the exterior details. Therefore, when you are examining Cartier eyeglasses for legitimacy, always pay close attention to the interior details—the nose piece in particular.
Most Cartier temples are gold and hand engraved. This detail is much more difficult to replicate, and most imitators would rather not deal with it. However, some counterfeiters will attempt to reproduce it. When determining if you have purchased fake Cartier glasses, check the temple insert and look for spacing and centering issues. The Cartier temple insert should be fairly centered within the tip of the temple arm and smooth with the surface.
In this case, you are looking for the opposite effect as the lens stamp. The Cartier temple insert should not be raised up above the surface of the temple arm. If you run your finger over the temple insert and feel major bumps, that is an indicator that you have purchased fake Cartier glasses. The texture may vary slightly from style to style because each one is made from a different material, but regardless of the material, the insert should never be sticking out. You should also be sure to check the gold for tarnishing and if there appears to be another metal color in certain places, this is a sure sign that the glasses are not real gold and in turn, not authentic Cartier glasses.
The three temple insert tests are:
Check for centering
Insert should be flush with the temple arm
Real gold does not tarnish
Like what you see? Check out the wide selection of Cartier Glasses and Cartier Sunglasses available at Designer Eyes.
The Cartier signature, along with a serial number printed in small font, is located on the inside frame of each pair of glasses. This serial number should be a seven-digits long and is provided by Cartier in all glasses to confirm authenticity.
Notice the price of the glasses and be wary of extremely low-priced versions. An authentic pair of Cartier eyeglasses with acetate rims will cost at $600 and a pair with platinum frames can cost up to $3,000. If the price is far below the original cost, there is a possibility that the pair is fake.
Authentic Cartier Warranty Card
Cartier glasses are typically sold with a hard leather case, cleaning cloth and an authenticity guarantee card. Be sure to ask for a warranty card and an authenticity guarantee purchasing Cartier glasses. If the glass purchased from a private individual, this information should still be available.
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To the buyers of a pair of Cartier sunglasses, the name is everything. And just as important as the name is the assurance that it’s genuine. Discerning individuals know the difference, turning the hoped-for status symbol on the counterfeit wearer into a status faux pas. While it is a status symbol for the 500 to 2000 dollars worn casually on the bridge of your nose, its also not one you’d like to pay full price for. This can be done, but buyer beware!. There is always some element of risk in purchasing a pair of sunglasses not directly from the Cartier website. So for the Cartier shopper on a budget, here is a easy buyer’s guide to help you spot and avoid fake Cartier sunglasses. The guide has two sections, one for appraising a tangible pair of sunglasses you can hold and inspect, and one with tips to limit your risk when making an online purchase in order to score a great deal.
If you can inspect the glasses follow these tips:
The best way to inspect your possible Cartier purchase is to use a fine magnifying glass, or jeweler’s loupe, and look for the distinguishing stamping placed by Cartier on every piece it has made since the early 1910’s. This will most likely be in the form of a serial number located directly under the bridge section. The gold print serial number is best viewed under magnification. In fact, it the number is clearly visible with the unaided eye, its probably a fake. Real examples will also always have “Cartier” and “Paris” engraved on the bridge of the glasses as well as the size of the lens width in mm stamped alongside the model number.
Check the markings along the temple and earpieces as well. Inserts on the earpieces are flush and hand engraved on the real deal, and shoddy imitators are usually lacking in fit and finish that you can see if you know what to look for. For example, the sides of the temples are stamped with the size of the earpiece length on the right and left, but only the left is stamped with “Cartier” and “Made in Paris”
All Cartier sunglasses are made with the finest materials and workmanship. This becomes evident in the fit and finish of the product. All lines in the glasses should be perfect, without scuffs, discoloration, or burrs seen in cheaper manufacturing methods. Also, the construction of all Cartier glasses include metal screws so if you see a plastic screw, or a rivet, instead of a screw, then it is certain that the example you have is a fake.
When buying online not through the direct Cartier website:
Price is a usually a big indicator of quality in many things, and in this case it is the quality of authenticity. Cartier glasses cost a premium, even for online retailers, who won’t sell them below cost. That means we can use price to gage if the item is genuine. Generally, if the item is selling for less than 75 percent of the retail price of the item from the manufacture, then the item is probably fake. Cartier costs money however you buy, and the half off discount seen online needs to be judged with scrutiny, because that price is simply too good to be true.
Ask the seller to give you all the information they know about the glasses before you buy. Take their information, and go to a Cartier store, if possible, or call Cartier and request for information about the model in question. If anything doesn’t match up, then you know not to buy from that seller.
If you do end up buying counterfeited merchandise then you have only two options. You can report the dishonorable purveyor to Cartier on their website, so that Cartier may take appropriate action to defend their products and reputation. Option two is contacting the seller of the counterfeit glasses, and requesting your money back. Getting a refund seems like a long shot, but if you word your message right, and detail exactly how you are going to hurt the company through exposure of their fraudulent practices, you may have a shot. Going to the authorities may yield little to no results for you. Even when the fraudulent company is selling goods illegally, by falsely advertising the product as genuine, and has action taken against it by authorities, which is unlikely, you will receive no compensation. For that you must sue the company directly, and is almost never worth your time and effort.
The best solution is to be a smart buyer. Do the research and buy with confidence, because the joys of pridefully wearing a pair of distinctive Cartier sunglasses should not be hampered with a nagging doubt that they might be fake.
Sure, it seems relatively simple. Put tinted shades of plastic or glass, and suspend them on a wire frame to hang precariously, but not obtrusively, and securely at all times. Not so simple anymore, is it? The pair of modern sunglasses is a relatively new invention in the world, and the culmination of several very different technological components, all fused into one easy and convenient package.
The main component of a pair of sunglasses is the pair of lenses that govern and reduce the amount of light that passes through them, and into the user’s eyes. Different lenses may be any gamut of colors, from the darkest gray, brown, blue, green, red, and orange are seen, with gray and brown being the most common on lower priced pairs. At the other end however, fashion designer sunglasses may be any shade and hue that the manufacture wants to produce, giving the purchaser a much greater variety.
The material of the lens is important in determining the use of the lens. Plastic lenses are used when cost or structural stresses outweigh the durability glass provides. Polycarbonate lenses are used when the extra cost is offset by the additional weight reduction, UV protection and scratch resistance it has over plastic lenses. But glass is the preferred material for lenses with ultimate optical qualities and scratch resistance. Because of the active nature sunglasses are meant to be subjected to, polycarbonate is the most often chosen by sunglass manufactures. Although designer sunglasses such as those made by Cartier and Armani sometimes use glass over polycarbonate to provide the ultimate distortion-free vision for those wearing sunglasses more for fashion than practicality.
The lens will also be rated on numerous other properties to determine what activity is best suited to the sunglasses. For instance, the purple hue on a hunter’s sunglasses is a calculated choice to highlight the contrast of objects against a green background. Yellow tint is useful for reducing the “blue haze” effect created by bright cloudless skies. Important for all tints is its ability to reduce UV light in addition to visible light. Lenses will be rated as blocking a certain percentage of light, the higher the value the better the protection and higher the cost.
To better aid the glasses in withstanding the rigors of everyday use, additional coatings or films, are added to strengthen the lens in a particular way. Often these applications are stacked on top on one each other before being fused together as one “lens sandwich” so to speak. Coverings can be used to counter reflective light or glare by adding a polarizing film. Anti-scratch coatings aid its ability to withstand surface stresses. When you also add in layers to produce the mirrored effect so popular of aviators and others, in addition to the anti reflective screens to help the polarizing film do its job and the end result is a technological rainbow of levels, all invisible to our eyes when we look through them.
With the lenses properly designed and manufactured, the final problem comes with putting them right where people need them, in front of their face. Frames are designed to accomplish this seemingly easy task with a minimal amount of encumbrance. Frames are supposed to do their job, not be too heavy to be uncomfortable, and always look good while they do it. The frames of fashion designers Cartier, Armani and Bvlgari exemplify the fashion over function sunglasses meant to make a statement. Frames from Oakley and Nike are loved by outdoor and sports aficionados for their combination of sleek style and rock solid performance.
Depending on the frame composition, the lenses may be housed rimmed, semi-rimmed, and rimless. The advantages to each are the varying degrees of durability and style that each has, and the descision should be based on intended use. Rimmed glasses are the most durable, but the extra material makes it that much more difficult to create a sleek and flowing profile. It is great however for a bold retro look. Semi-rimmed glasses are a hybrid between full rims and none at all. Usually the top half of the glasses are attached with a rim that leaves the bottom half exposed. The combination allows for a sleeker, cleaner look that compensates for the lower durability of the glasses. Rimless is the territory of the purely fashion conscious wearer. As the minimal setting on the glasses creates a bold look but weak resistance to stress.
With all the combinations available to manufacturers and designers, the customer today has an unparalleled selection of eye wear than ever before. Consumers can pick the style and function that appeals to them, and can be sure that regardless of use, they can get a pair of sunglasses that will make the outdoors look better behind the shade.
What makes a Cartier, a Cartier? The difference of course, is in the details. The mystique of the brand, the composition of its fine materials, the forward thinking style, and even the price itself, sets Cartier above and beyond other fine jewelers and designers of sunglasses.
Modern sunglasses are designed to be practical, safe, effective, and distortion free pieces of eye wear, and also still remain stylish and comfortable while doing them. Sounds impossible, and usually there does end up being some compromise for fashion or practicality for most sunglasses on the market today. Those people who want sunglasses that are the best, however, don’t have to accept a compromise. The best is expected to leave nothing to want, and very few manufactures are up to the task. Cartier is.
Cartier sunglasses are designed by the same firm that designs elegant engagement jewelry, fine timepieces, and also select fashion accessories like perfume and cologne, lighters, pens, and yes, sunglasses. The sunglass line offers the buyer a wide range of designs and styles to suit the tastes of the wearer, all while giving a level of workmanship and function found only in top tier manufactures. They use only glass or polycarbonate lenses, and each offers the finest quality optical lens possible. An easy way to test a true high quality optical lens is to hold up the lenses a few inches from your face, and focus on an easily distinguishable pattern in front of you. As you move the glasses from side to side and up and down, the image should remain steady. Any waviness or distortion is a sign on an inferior lens. So naturally this would not happen with any lens from Cartier.
Tint is also another area in which Cartier spends considerable time and effort getting it right. The need to get the color the perfect tint and shade requires a precise technique to embed the desired characteristics into the lens. Forced tint saturation into the lens material takes time, and hence more money for manufactures to get darker tints and greater protection from UV light. Cartier doesn’t skimp on materials or time in making its components, and as a result they produce a supremely high quality final product. This tinted glass is then protected and enhanced by several layers of coatings designed to not only keep the glasses looking better longer, but also give a better look to the user.
Frames are also of considerable importance to Cartier when designing new eye wear worthy of the Cartier name. Frames are never plastic or of a simulated material. Often carbon fiber is used, brushed in a special technique with ruthenium metal for both structural support and a fashionable design. Wood or Ivory or even more precious metals may be inlaid in Cartier sunglasses to match the design personality of Cartier buyers. The screws and fastenings are always secure metal designs, and each frame is individually numbered, so that when you take a suspected fake into a Cartier store, they will instantly be able to verify its authenticity.
The Santos line is the definitive look of early Cartier. It has all the elements of a top tier, high quality sunglass manufacture should produce in a premium offering. Around the turn of the 20th century, Louis Cartier’s aviator friend Alberto Santos-Dunmont requested a custom designed timepiece that he could use while flying. Today, in the spirit and style of the aviator, Cartier sells the Santos rimmed sunglasses in ruthenium finished metal modern aviator style sunglasses. The frames are a composite wood and carbon fiber construction, giving style without the sacrifice of function. As it should for a pair of glasses that cost over 1,500 dollars. And of course Cartier will gift wrap and ship it to you for free when you buy it.
When looking for a pair of designer sunglasses on an unlimited budget, Cartier always makes the list of considerations. Other offerings from Armani, Judith Leiber, and Mont Blanc may offer enticing fashion at a lower cost, but its hard to compete, even with Cartier’s higher prices, with a company that has been in existence since 1847 as a purveyor of luxury goods to the aristocracy. It also doesn’t hurt that Cartier has been known as the “Jeweler of Kings, King of Jewelers” for over 100 years. So when people buy a Cartier, they know that they not only get the best, but also that everyone knows they have the best.