5 Most Valuable Jewellery Brands in the World

Whether new or vintage, the jewellery you buy – like your cars, clothes and watches – can vary in value depending on its brand. And obviously, some brands are more valuable than others.

When it comes to jewellery, don’t mistake a brand’s fame for its value. There are well-known brands whose jewellery won’t be worth much more than what you paid, while there are brands you may never have even heard of that produce jewellery whose value will appreciate with time.

I spoke to experts in the retail, jewellery and auction industries to get their views on which jewellery brands are the most valuable and have the most resale value and thus, investment value.

Here’s my list of the world’s 10 Most Valuable Jewellery  Brands—you can’t go wrong buying into any of these, as their exceptional craftsmanship, heritage, and brand strength ensures that the value of any item from them will retain and even increase in value.

Cartier

Founded: 1847
In: Paris

Perhaps the most famous jewellery house of all, Cartier was founded by Louis-François Cartier, but it was his grandsons who made the brand world famous. In addition to jewellery, Cartier also made their name as one of the best watch and clock makers in the world so their involvement in horology is longstanding. Their clients have long included the royal houses of Europe and the aristocratic families of America. King Edward VII of England referred to Cartier as “the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers.”

Many of their jewellery lines become iconic classics, such as the Panthere de Cartier featuring the panther design, and the Tutti Frutti, a cascade of colourful gems launched in the 1920s that was inspired by the colours and spirit of India. In addition to their high jewellery lines, their fashion line such as the Love Bracelet collection is just as iconic.

Van Cleef & Arpels

Founded: 1896
In: Paris

The Grand Dame of jewellery brands, this august house is steeped in heritage and history. Founded in 1896 by Alfred Van Cleef and his uncle Salomon Arpels in Paris, VCA as it’s popularly known, is renowned for their stunning high jewellery including intricately engineered diamond necklaces that actually zip up and down like a zipper, and an exquisite range of flowers, fairies, ballerinas and wildlife crafted from the finest gemstones. They also have a fine jewellery line of simpler elegant designs including the highly popular Alhambra range of necklaces.

Harry Winston

Founded: 1932
In: New York

Named after the man considered by many as the greatest American jeweller of the 20th Century and one of the greatest jewellers of all time, Harry Winston was founded back in 1932 in New York City. Winston was a genius at promotion: he was the first to lend out jewellery to Hollywood stars for occasions such as the Academy Awards and the celebrities helped spread his fame to the general population. He was known as the “King of Diamonds” and his creative designs attracted some of the world’s most famous people, from the royalty of Europe such as the Duchess of Windsor to those of Hollywood like Elizabeth Taylor.

The company also ventured into making watches that were more than just jewellery and partnered with some of the world’s most respected watchmakers, including François-Paul Journe, Vianney Halter and Felix Baumgartner, for their critically-acclaimed Opus series of watches.

Graff

Founded: 1960
In: London

The only British company on this list and one of the few great jewel houses whose founder is still heading the firm, Graff’s speciality are huge flawless gems and jewellery with gorgeous designs and technically perfect craftsmanship. Laurence Graff, the man behind the company, perfectly embodies his brand: at the age of 79 he looks a good 15 years younger, is charming, and the embodiment of impeccable style.

Now worth over US$4 billion, he had dropped out from school at age 14 and once worked as a jeweller’s apprentice where he had to clean toilets. He’s come a long way since then, with clients today who are the world’s most famous and powerful, including the Sultan of Brunei, Donald Trump, and Oprah Winfrey. He changed the diamond industry by being the first jeweller to buy his own diamond mine, creating a “mine-to-market” business model with every sector under his control.

Moussaieff

Founded: 1963
In: London

Although based in London, Moussaieff was started by and is owned by a Middle Eastern family and traces its origins back to Arabia. It describes itself as offering “magnificent stones, flamboyant designs and exceptional craftsmanship” and that’s a pretty accurate description. Although the jeweller started their first store in London 1963, their origins in the gem trade go back 160 years, when the man whom the company is named after began selling pearls from his camel across the trade routes of Arabia.

Today, despite having only five stores around the world, Moussaieff has become world renowned for its exceptional, extravagant jewellery, with a flamboyance and opulence that signifies its Middle Eastern heritage. It owns some of the world’s most prized and rare gems, including the Moussaieff Red, the biggest red diamond ever found. The company is run today by 88-year old Alisa Moussaieff, who is almost as legendary a figure as her late husband Shlomo, who ran the company for decades. He was also a confidante of the royalty, celebrities and stars who were and continue to be the company’s customers.