Exquisite Cartier diamond engagement ring belonging to the late Princess Grace, in Australia

THE exquisite Cartier diamond engagement ring given to Hollywood star turned major European royal, Princess Grace, is in Australia.

Princess Grace wearing the Cartier diamond engagement ring — over 10 carats and currently in Sydney — given to her by Prince Rainier in 1956.

THE name Cartier is for serious jewellery, diamonds and watches.

It is also the house chosen by the late Prince Rainier of Monaco when he announced his engagement to the beautiful Hollywood actor, Grace Kelly.

And that ring, yes, that totally priceless ring is in Australia.

Cartier Australia was given the permission of the Prince Sovereign of Monaco, Prince Albert II, who has sent three Cartier creations, including the ring, owned by his mother Princess Grace Kelly to officially mark the opening of the new flagship Cartier boutique in Sydney.

The exquisite creations, a necklace, bracelet and the illustrious engagement ring, are on display in the Sydney store today, with a VIP, A-list dinner taking place tonight.

Cartier is the jewellery name renowned for its unique heritage and distinctive style and been creating and crafting exclusive collections of jewellery, timepieces and prestige accessories for more than 165 years.

Far from being just a way to flog incredibly expensive and high quality jewellery and watches, there is a longstanding historical link that exists between Cartier and the Principality of Monaco. It dates back to November 1920, when Prince Albert first issued Cartier’s first royal warrant as the official supplier to the Monaco royals.

Cartier diamonds have been present at countless known moments throughout history, so it was only natural that the Prince looked to Cartier to order the engagement ring for his beloved Grace Kelly.

Grace, of course, was a modern yet timelessly classical princess, who became a style icon over time.

Grace Kelly started as an American actor who was discovered by Alfred Hitchcock and, even now, is always pinpointed as a symbol of refined perfection.

After her relationship with Prince Rainier started, so did a relationship with Cartier, when, in 1956, he asked for her hand in marriage with a platinum Cartier ring bearing an emerald-cut diamond of 10.47 carats.

The diamond is flanked by two baguette-cut diamonds and mounted in platinum — following the less in more mantra — and she even chose to wear it on the set of High Society, the Hollywood film she made that year with Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.

The wedding between Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III marked a significant point in the relationship between Cartier and the principality as at the time of her wedding in April 1956, Princess Grace appeared in official photographs wearing a Cartier platinum tiara set with round and baguette-cut diamonds, enhanced by three floral motifs each blooming with a ruby cabochon.

On the same day, she wore a dazzling necklace composed of three strands of alternating round and baguette-cut diamonds for a total weight of 58 carats. Princess Grace also later adopted Cartier’s famous animal collection.

The close collaboration between Cartier and the Palace of Monaco has continued and when Prince Albert II became sovereign of the Principality he has encouraged and supported the loan of the Cartier jewels of the Princely collection that belonged to his family for Cartier exhibitions around the world.

In 2015 Prince Albert II launched the Prince Rainier III salon — a tribute to his father staged by the Maison on the first floor of the Cartier Monaco boutique and later that year the twins of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene were given Cartier gifts for their baptism: a Tank watch and a diamond and pearl brooch. Umm. Nice.

The jewels are on display on the 1st floor at the Cartier Flagship Boutique in Sydney.