Levi KeswickKey takeaways:
- Cartier has a long history of designing and crafting exceptional jewelry for royalty and celebrities
- The five most expensive Cartier necklaces are the Hutton-Mdivani Jadeite Necklace, La Peregrina Necklace, The Patiala Necklace, The Patiño Necklace, and The Imperial Emerald of the Grand Duchess Vladimir
- Each of these necklaces has a fascinating history and features exquisite craftsmanship
The Allure of Cartier’s Masterpieces
Cartier, one of the world’s most prestigious jewelers, has designed, created, and distributed luxury jewelry and watches since its founding in 1847. Over the years, Cartier has established itself as a go-to jeweler for royalty and celebrities, creating some of the most stunning and expensive jewelry in the world.
In this article, we explore the five most expensive Cartier necklaces ever produced, delving into the fascinating history behind each piece and the exceptional craftsmanship that has gone into their creation.
The Hutton-Mdivani Jadeite Cartier Necklace: A Legacy of Love and Luxury
Price: $27.4 Million
The Hutton-Mdivani Jadeite Cartier Necklace is an exquisite piece that features 27 large Qing Jadeite beads, each with vivid green translucent hues and a very fine texture. It is believed that this necklace was created during the 18th century for members of the Japanese royal Imperial Court. Cartier later acquired the necklace, and it was given to American heiress Barbara Hutton on her wedding day in 1933 by her father, Franklin Laws Hutton. The necklace has since been passed on to Princess Nina Mdivani.
La Peregrina Cartier Necklace: A Pearl with a Storied Past
Price: $11.8 Million
La Peregrina is considered the world’s most symmetrical pear-shaped pearl. Discovered off the coast of Panama in the sixteenth century, this 55-carat pearl has a long history that includes being owned by Spanish royalty and gifted to Queen Mary I of England. In 1969, actor Richard Burton purchased La Peregrina as a Valentine’s Day gift for his wife, Elizabeth Taylor, who then commissioned Cartier to create a necklace featuring the exquisite pearl as a pendant, surrounded by dazzling diamonds.
The Patiala Cartier Necklace: A Royal Treasure Rediscovered
Price: $3.16 Million+
The De Beers 73-carat yellow diamond featured in The Patiala Necklace was commissioned by India’s Maharaja Bhupinder Singh in 1928. The necklace originally boasted 2,930 diamonds, including six other large diamonds ranging in size from 18 to 73 carats. After India gained independence in 1948, The Patiala and many other royal jewels went missing. In 1988, a Cartier employee discovered the De Beers yellow diamond in a second-hand jewelry shop in London, and Cartier was able to recreate The Patiala using the famed large De Beers yellow diamond.
The Patiño Cartier Necklace: A Tribute to Colombian Emeralds
Price: $10.2 Million
The Patiño Necklace features 20 clear white diamonds totaling 60 carats and 12 high-quality, beautifully cut emeralds totaling 100 carats. The centerpiece of this Art Deco-style necklace is the “Andean Cross” emerald, which was unearthed by Simõn Iturrio Patiño, a Colombian mine owner. Cartier acquired the rare emerald cross from Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain and created The Patiño Necklace in 1937. The 45 cm necklace honors the religious and royal themes of the Andean Cross emerald, which is surrounded by the other valuable gems.
The Imperial Emerald of the Grand Duchess Vladimir: A Jewel with Royal Russian Roots
Price: $3.5 Million
The Imperial Emerald of the Grand Duchess Vladimir features a 107.67 square-cut emerald that was once part of Catherine the Great’s emerald collection. The emerald was later gifted to Duke Boris’ fiancée in 1847 by Tsar Alexander II. After the Russian Revolution, the Grand Duchess Vladimir smuggled her jewels to her son Grand Duke Boris, who was living in exile in London. In 1927, the Grand Duke sold the valuable gem to Cartier, which then remounted the emerald onto a diamond soutoir-style necklace. In 1954, Cartier recut the emerald into a 75.63-carat pear shape to increase its clarity. The necklace was eventually purchased by a private collector at a Christie’s auction in Geneva for $3.5 million.
A Legacy of Timeless Elegance and Craftsmanship
The extraordinary prices of these five Cartier necklaces reflect not only the rarity and quality of the gems they feature but also the exceptional craftsmanship and design that have become synonymous with the Cartier brand. Each of these necklaces tells a captivating story, weaving together history, art, and luxury in a way that only Cartier can.
From the enchanting Hutton-Mdivani Jadeite Necklace to the regal Imperial Emerald of the Grand Duchess Vladimir, these five Cartier necklaces stand as a testament to the unparalleled elegance, craftsmanship, and prestige that have defined the Cartier brand for over a century.
As we continue to marvel at these dazzling masterpieces, we are reminded that the true value of Cartier’s creations lies not only in the exquisite gems they showcase but also in the captivating stories and rich history they carry with them.
