The Cartier Triple or ‘Trinity’ Ring

Thanks to Vogue India for asking me to contribute to their Valentine’s issue with a story behind a piece of jewellery I wear that signifies love. I chose my #triplering which I know from previous posts has a special significance with many of you all over the world. Here's my story:

The first Cartier piece I ever owned was a ‘Trinity’ Ring that I was given by my parents when I turned 18. I loved it, so wearable and chic. It's made of three interlaced bands of yellow gold, white gold and pink gold which my grandfather (#JeanJacquesCartier) told me symbolised loyalty, friendship and love.

Legends about the origin of this ring abound as I write in my book on The Cartiers - some say it was made by my great-great-uncle #LouisCartier for his friend, the artist and writer #JeanCocteau in the 1920s, and that it was inspired by Cocteau's opium-fuelled dream about the rings around Saturn. Whether or not this story is apocryphal, the role Cocteau played in boosting its popularity is indisputable (he was the literary bad boy of Paris at the time!). But even today, around 100 years after it first appeared in the Cartiers' branches in London, Paris and New York as an affordable alternative to its high end jewellery for both men and women, it remains iconic.

Sadly, I lost my own ring when swimming in the Mediterranean soon after my parents gave it to me. I was devastated - a special gift like that is tied in with so much emotion. Fortunately, years later, my husband (who had heard this sob story a fair few times) surprised me with another trinity ring as a perfect birthday gift. I love it - and amazingly it works just as well now with any outfit as it did 25 years ago! Such a timeless piece, and so evocative too, I hardly ever take it off.