Things to consider regarding costs include:įrame material – If you’d like to own a pair of these luxurious designer glasses but can’t afford to spend thousands of dollars, your best bet is a pair with acetate frames. Before you visit your optician, it’s a good idea to look online and get a general understanding of the type of glasses you like and can afford - but remember, there may also be high added costs, depending on your prescription. The price of Cartier glasses begins in the $500 range and can run over $6,000. Plus, they’re finished by hand to ensure that each pair is flawless. Like their jewelry, no expense is spared and no shortcuts are taken when crafting Cartier eyewear.Īccording to their website, many of Cartier’s frames are made with “noble materials such as wood and horn” or precious metals, such as platinum, gold and titanium, though some of their less expensive glasses feature acetate frames.ĭespite being mass-produced, the frames are designed and created by master craftspeople, displaying the same precision and attention to detail as the company’s famed jewelry techniques.

Why buy Cartier glasses?Ĭartier brings their world-renowned reputation for refined, classic luxury and superior quality to their optical glasses. You can also buy some of their eyeglasses at select in-person and online retailers. If you’re looking to purchase Cartier eyewear, avoid fakes by visiting one of their “approved opticians” to view the entire collection.

Though choices are more limited, there are also several options in the $500-$900 range. To this day, Cartier eyeglasses are some of the most expensive on the market, with the majority costing well over $1,000. For the next 96 years, Cartier’s lavish glasses were only available by special order for the most discriminating of customers.Ĭartier debuted its first line of mass-produced optical glasses in 1983, featuring the same high-end materials, sophisticated details and expert craftsmanship for which the brand is known.

Initially known for its fine jewelry and watches, Cartier crafted its first eyewear in 1887 - custom-made, diamond-encrusted opera glasses for a French princess. In 1847, Louis-François Cartier purchased the workshop of Parisian master craftsman Adolphe Picard, and began what would become one of the world’s most well-known luxury brands.

Opera glasses in use