The Death of Charles Constant Cottier
A sad event last week was the death of Charles Constant Cottier, which occured Nov.7 at his late residence at 12, Congress St., Jersey City, NJ. Mr Cottier was the founder and senior member of the well-known precious stone importing firm of C. Cottier & Son, and was generally considered to be the foremost lapidary of his day. His death, which was due to old age and general debility, was not unexpected. Though severely ill but about one week, he had been ailing since his stroke of paralysis, 12 years ago. Charles Constant Cottier was born in Gex, France, April 5, 1810. He started in the business which was destined to become the vocation of his life, when but a lad of 12 years. After serving his apprenticeship as a lapidary he continued in this work in his native village until his 20th year. Going to Paris he was employed by the then celebrated lapidary, David, now David Fieres, and made Paris his home during his remaining years in France. It was in 1840 that Mr. Cottier sailed to this country and immediately afterward established himself in business as a lapidary in Dey St., New York. Being one of the first, if not the only lapidary in the city, Mr. Cottier's business prospered and the year following he moved to 8 Cortlandt St., and shortly afterward commenced importing precious stones, being the second precious stone importer of New York, the first being Victor Bishop & Co. After occupying other locations in Cortlandt St., Mr. Cottier in 1857 moved to 171 Broadway, where his business remained until last May, when it changed to 14 Maiden Lane. In 1873 Mr. Cottier admitted his son, Jean J. C. Cottier, as a partner and changed the firm name to C. Cottier & Son.
Though widely known as an importer, Mr. Cottier was perhaps more famed throughout this country and Europe as a lapidary. He was the inventor of the "Lake George" and "Star" cuts, which he brought out in the '70s, and which were used almost universally until about three years ago. He was also the recipient of a certificate of award for lapidary work exhibited at the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia. Though naturally of a jovial and sociable disposition, Mr. Cottier never joined any societies, fraternities or benefit organizations, not even those in the jewelry trade. His only hobby outside his business was farming and to ride this he purchased and for many years operated a farm in Pike County, Pa., where he devoted his leisure time to experimenting.
It was here, in 1882 that Mr. Cottier received the paralytic stroke which practically forced his retirement from business and from work. Since then the business has been in charge of his son Jean, who now continues it under the old name. Mr. Cottier was married in 1843. His widow, son and a married daughter survive him.
The funeral services which were held Saturday morning at the Church of St. Paul and the Cross, Hancock Ave., Jersey City, were largely attended. The remains were interred at the family plot in Calvary Cemetary, Brooklyn.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - Volume 29 - 1894
Trev.
