The most famous cartier necklaces in history

In the world of jewelry, some pieces transcend time and become true legends. From royal palaces to Hollywood's red carpets, certain necklaces tell stories of wealth, passion, and artistry. Cartier has crafted masterpieces that sparkle with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, while preserving unique histories. From Queen Elizabeth II's priceless Nizam of Hyderabad necklace to the legendary Patiala necklace of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, as well as the unforgettable jewels of Princess Grace, Elizabeth Taylor, and Maria Felix. Each piece reflects the craftsmanship, creativity, and legacy of one of the world's most renowned jewelry houses. So let's explore the most famous Cartier necklaces. Before we begin, please support the channel by clicking the like and subscribe buttons. Patiala Necklace Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala is described as being deeply passionate about precious jewels. In 1925, he arrived in Paris with numerous chests filled with high-quality diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, pearls, and rubies of Indian origin set in antique styles. He commissioned Cartier to reset these treasures, and the most famous result of this order was the legendary Patiala necklace of 1928. The necklace was composed of 2,930 diamonds, including the renowned De Beers diamond weighing 234.65 carats, along with topazes, synthetic rubies, yellow and white zircons, smoky quartz, and citrines, all mounted in platinum. In addition to the necklace, there was also the Cartier Diamond Choker, a diamond choker created for the Maharaja of Patiala. This choker featured large yellow diamonds and was frequently worn by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh in the 1930s and later by his successor Maharaja Yadavendra Singh. As for the fate of these jewels, the Patiala necklace disappeared from the royal treasury around 1948, and it is believed that it was dismantled with the diamonds remaining in the family. The choker was likely sold separately in the 1980s and later acquired by Cartier. Today, both the necklace and the choker are displayed together at Cartier exhibitions, such as at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. In modern history, these jewels once again drew attention thanks to celebrities. At the 2022 Met Gala, Emma Chamberlain stunned the public by wearing a vintage Cartier Diamond Choker that once belonged to the Maharaja of Patiala. Her choice sparked wide media coverage as it marked the unexpected return of a royal relic to the social spotlight. In 2025, singer Diljit Dosanjh made his Met Gala debut in a look inspired by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh's legacy. He wanted to wear the original Patiala necklace, but Cartier declined, explaining that the piece is sealed in a museum. Instead, Golecha Jewels created a modern interpretation for him, which sparked lively debates on social media about cultural heritage, double standards, and the symbolism of legendary jewelry masterpieces. Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace The Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace was considered the most expensive piece in Queen Elizabeth II's jewelry collection, valued at around £66 million. Created by Cartier in the 1930s, this platinum necklace features 50 diamonds and is the most valuable single item in the British royal family's collection. In 1947, it was presented to the then-Princess Elizabeth to mark her engagement to Prince Philip by the Nizam of Hyderabad, Asafjah VII, who was one of the wealthiest rulers of his time. The necklace boasts an exquisite design, a central double-drop pave-set pendant with 13 emerald-cut diamonds and a pear-shaped diamond suspended from a chain of round brilliant-cut diamonds and fastened with a clasp set with additional diamonds. The necklace is regarded as the most precious treasure among the monarch's jewelry. In addition to Queen Elizabeth II herself, the piece has been worn on several occasions by Princess Kate, Princess of Wales, who was graciously loaned the necklace by the Queen for special events. Princess Grace's Cartier Diamond Necklace The necklace was created in 1953 by the jewelry house Cartier and purchased by Prince Rainier III as an engagement gift when he proposed to Grace Kelly. The piece consists of 64 brilliant and baguette-cut diamonds arranged in a modern three-strand design. The necklace quickly became one of her signature jewels. Grace first wore it at her pre-wedding gala and later at many significant events—state visits to France and the Vatican, banquets, balls, and official portraits. It was often paired with other splendid jewels, including her diamond tiara and the Bains de Mer tiara. After the The necklace became part of the Princely Palace collection. It has been exhibited in shows around the world and reappeared at events thanks to successive members of the princely family. For example, it was worn by the princess's daughter, Caroline, and more recently by her granddaughter, Charlotte Casaraghi, at a gala following her civil wedding. Barbara Hutton's Jadeite Necklace The world's most expensive jade necklace belonging to Barbara Hutton was a wedding gift from her father, Franklin Laws Hutton, in the early 1930s. The necklace consists of 27 spherical imperial jade beads, each measuring between 15.4 and 19.2 millimeters, likely sourced from the same piece of stone in the 18th century. In traditions associated with imperial jade, such stones are considered symbols of love, luck, and health, so the gift was regarded as a good omen for a happy marriage. In April 2014, the jewelry house Cartier purchased the necklace at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong for over $27 million, setting a record for any jade jewelry. The purchase was made for the Cartier collection, where the necklace is preserved as a historically and artistically significant piece. Today, the necklace remains a symbol of opulence, captivating collectors worldwide, and stands as an outstanding example of Cartier's legacy in jewelry design. Patiala Ruby Choker The Patiala Ruby Choker, created by Cartier in 1931, is a striking example of art deco jewelry, blending Indian opulence with European design. Commissioned by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, the choker features ruby beads, oval kabachans, round rubies, old and single-cut diamonds, natural pearls, and platinum. In total, it contains 292 ruby beads weighing 356.6 carats and 132 pearls. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh gifted the choker to one of his wives, Maharani Sri Bhaktavar Kaur Sahib, who can be seen wearing it in photographs alongside other Cartier necklaces. It is unclear when the choker was removed or stolen from Patiala's royal treasury. Its whereabouts remained unknown until it resurfaced on the art market in Switzerland in 2000. Initially, the choker had been shortened with some rubies used to make a bracelet. In 2012, Cartier acquired it and restored it to its original form. As part of the Al Thani collection, the choker has been widely exhibited in museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the Palace Museum in Beijing. In 2019, it was sold at Christie's in New York for of the Maharaja's and Mughal Magnificent Sale, underscoring its historical and artistic significance. Elizabeth Taylor's Ruby Necklace Elizabeth Taylor's ruby necklace by Cartier, often called the Red Fire, became one of the most famous symbols of her luxurious style. This set, which also included matching earrings and a bracelet, was gifted to her in 1957 by her third husband, film producer Mike Todd. The moment the jewelry was presented was captured on home video, and she later recalled how she was stepping out of the pool when she saw Todd holding a red leather box containing the necklace, which The exquisite Cartier design combined Burmese rubies with a delicate lattice of diamonds in the style of the 1950s. Mike Todd tragically died in a plane crash in 1958. Despite the loss, Taylor continued to wear her precious set at public events and in private, emphasizing its status as a symbol of her elegance and love of luxury. After the actress's death in 2011, the necklace was sold at a Christie's auction for $3,778,500 and is now part of the Cartier collection. The piece has been exhibited multiple times, including at the Cartier Exhibition at the allowing fashion and art enthusiasts to once again admire Taylor's unparalleled style. The legacy of the necklace is also reflected in the media. In the 2013 biographical film Burton and Taylor, actress Helena Bonham Carter wore a Cartier love bracelet in pink gold with diamonds, reflecting Taylor's taste for Cartier jewelry. Her love for these pieces, especially the red fire necklace, made it not just a jewel but a cultural icon forever etched into Hollywood history and the world of high fashion. Marjorie Merriweather Post, an American heiress and philanthropist, was renowned for her exquisite taste in jewelry, particularly her collection of Cartier pieces. Among her most notable acquisitions was a pearl necklace with a diamond clasp created by Cartier circa 1939. This necklace consisted of four strands of pearls, totaling 188 pearls, and was adorned with a clasp featuring 408 diamonds, with an additional 140 diamonds set along the strands. The clasp itself had an intricate design of seven interlocking sections, showcasing Cartier's exceptional craftsmanship. Another significant piece in Post's collection was a sapphire and diamond necklace, also by Cartier circa 1936. This necklace was composed of two bracelets from De Settles, forming the sides of the piece, and a centerpiece designed by Cartier. The centerpiece included a cushion-cut blue sapphire, 237 square step-cut sapphires, and 1,181 diamonds of various cuts set in platinum. The neck chain featured two lines of pavé-set diamonds bordered by square step-cut sapphires, supporting a fringe of bar-shaped pendants, each framed with double rows of pavé-set diamonds and a row of square step-cut sapphires. These pieces, along with others from her collection, were displayed at the Hillwood Estate Museum and Gardens in Washington, D.C., allowing the public to appreciate the elegance and history of Post's jewelry. Her collaboration with Cartier not only produced masterpieces of design, but also reflected her personal style and enduring legacy in fine jewelry. Maria Felix's Cartier Crocodile Necklace The iconic Cartier Crocodile Necklace, commissioned by Mexican actress Maria Felix in 1975, is a testament to her bold personality and love for reptiles. According to legend, she brought a live baby crocodile to Cartier's Paris workshop and requested an exact replica in jewelry form. The necklace features two fully articulated crocodiles, one made of 18k yellow gold and set with over a thousand intense yellow diamonds, totaling 60.02 carats, and the other, made of 18k white gold adorned with 1,060 emeralds, totaling 66.86 carats. The crocodile's eyes are set with rubies and emeralds, respectively. The piece can be worn as a single necklace or separated into two brooches, showcasing Cartier's exceptional craftsmanship. Felix's love for crocodiles was well known, and she affectionately called her Cartier pieces, My Animals. Her passion for jewelry and unique commissions led to the creation of several iconic pieces, including a serpent necklace from 1968. These works highlight her distinctive style and demonstrate Cartier's ability to blend art, nature, and luxury in their designs. The crocodile necklace remains a symbol of Felix's enduring influence on high jewelry and Cartier's commitment to exceptional craftsmanship. That's it for today. Thanks for watching. Please do not forget to support my channel by clicking the like and subscribe buttons.