Louis Francois Cartier, apprentice jeweler in Paris, purchased the jewelry shop of his mentor in 1847. The simplified lines of his designs brought him to the attention of some influential patrons and helped to establish Cartier as a Leader in Parisian jewelry design. Cartier's son, Louis Francois Alfred continued the firm after his father's death, but Alfred's three sons took the firm worldwide. Among thie famous accomplishments are the sale of the Hope diamond, the iconic Panther design, and the introductions of invisible settings for fine jewels. In 1970s the Cartier firm was taken over by new owner who revitalized the name and broadened its luxury accessories lines to include handbags, pens, lighters and perfume.