Jacques Cartier's Passion for Discovery and Entrepreneurship
Jacques Cartier's passion for discovery and entrepreneurship made him a great all-rounder, which paid off in many ways, including his discovery of quartz crystals and iron pyrites, and his love affair with India. This article explores his life and legacy in more detail. It will also highlight his love of the Indian subcontinent and his business philosophies. After all, if a man is born to be successful in any endeavor, it would be no surprise if they made it in the world of jewelry.
Jacques was an All-Rounder in the Cartier Business
Jacques Cartier was the man who re-set Indian jewellery in Western fashion. His Eastern-inspired designs were sold to European and American clients. Cartier had access to gems that had been sourced from India, the world's largest gem-trading center, and was able to use those gems in his designs. It is the gem-trading center that gives Cartier's jewels their dazzling, eye-catching radiance.
Despite being an all-rounder in the Cartier business, Jacques was the youngest of the three sons. He was least interested in jewelry when his father started the business. In spite of this, he later made his mark and made lasting contributions to the business. Jacques's contribution to the business was enormous. He was an outstanding example of entrepreneurship and a hard worker.
A natural born businessman, Jacques was a savvy businessman who opened London and American branches to cater to the English aristocracy. Besides being an all-rounder in the Cartier business, he was also a gemstone expert, making many trips to India to procure the gems that made the Cartiers the world's most renowned jewellers.
Jacques Discovered Quartz Crystals
Jacques Cartier was a French explorer who found a new way to discover crystals by accident. He was searching for gold in Canada, but instead found quartz crystals and iron pyrites. Jacques Cartier rediscovered these crystals in 1536, and later set up a new compound in St. Croix harbor. He thought these crystals contained diamonds and pyrite, and therefore they must have been gold.
The discovery of quartz crystals was significant because it proved to be useful in the construction of jewelry. This mineral has many uses in modern manufacturing. It is an excellent insulator and can prevent damage to the skin. It also has antibacterial properties. Because quartz crystals are so transparent, it can be used as a lubricant. This means that it will not affect the color of a piece of jewelry.
Jacques Discovered Iron Pyrites
During his third voyage, Jacques Cartier was looking for diamonds and gold but instead discovered quartz crystals and iron pyrites. His discoveries were both valuable and unexpected, though not at the same time. Despite Cartier's enthusiasm, the French did not settle in the area. In fact, their initial efforts were futile, as they failed to find either gold or diamonds. It took another sixty years before Samuel Champlain established a permanent settlement in Port Royal, Nova Scotia.
Cartier's first voyage to the New World ended in disaster, as he was denied royal support for his mission. Jacques Cartier had hoped to find diamonds and gold in the harbor of St. Croix, but instead, he found iron pyrites and quartz crystals. The iron pyrites he found resembled diamonds. After a year and a half, Cartier's findings became popular with scientists and the general public.
Jacques's Love Affair with India
During the early years of his career, Jacques Cartier played a crucial role in the entry of his company into India. This remained one of the company's main markets into the early part of the 20th century. After his 1911 visit to India, Jacques organized an exhibition of Indian treasures at his London branch. The exhibition gave the public a taste of Indian design and helped cement Cartier's connection with India.
In the summer of 1534, he sailed from St. Malo, Canada, to the coast of Newfoundland. He had sailed from Canada to the west coast of Newfoundland, where he probably found the fertile Prince Edward Island. In mid-July, he reached Gaspe on the mainland, where he explored Anticosti Island. Unfortunately, bad weather prevented him from continuing up the Ottawa River, and he returned to France.
