A Pearl Necklace in Exchange for a Mansion- The NYC Cartier Headquarters

In 1916, Cartier put a beautiful double-stranded, natural pearl necklace on tour around Europe, which eventually made its way to New York City. This necklace was valued at $1.2 million and they were the first pearls to ever be priced over $1 million.

These pearls immediately caught the eye of the upscale ladies of the time and were the hit of New York City. Everybody came to view this necklace on 5^th ave, including Maisie Plant who was married to Morton Plant, the son of a railroad tycoon. She fell in love with the pearls however her husband refused to pay the price.

Cartier NYC

Coincidentally, Maisie and Morton Plant were planning on selling their mansion on Fifth and 52^nd in order to follow the socialites uptown. Maisie decided that because her mansion was going for the same price that the pearls were valued at, she would offer Cartier her mansion in exchange for the necklace, plus $100. Cartier accepted and had the mansion turned into a store. This mansion still remains the Cartier Headquarters of New York City and in 1970 was designated a NYC landmark.

Cartier NYC

The pearl necklace was eventually auctioned off in the 1950s after Maisie’s death for only $150,000.

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