Cartier Showcases María Félix's Iconic Crocodile Necklace and Jewelry Collection

The renowned French luxury jewelry house Cartier is showcasing the iconic crocodile necklace and other notable pieces from Mexican actress María Félix's jewelry collection. The centerpiece of the exhibition is the stunning crocodile necklace created by Cartier for Félix in 1975.

The one-of-a-kind necklace is crafted with 1,023 yellow diamonds, 1,060 emeralds, and two cabochon rubies. Notably, the design was based on Félix's own pet crocodile. "The necklace was made with 1,023 yellow diamonds, 1,060 emeralds, and two cabochon rubies," highlighting the extravagance and attention to detail in its creation.

Félix was deeply involved in the design process, even bringing her live pet crocodile into the Cartier store to ensure the necklace accurately captured its likeness. This level of client involvement and personalization emphasizes the unique nature of the piece and the close collaboration between Félix and Cartier's artisans.

To date, only two women have had the privilege of wearing the necklace: María Félix herself and actress Monica Bellucci. The necklace now resides as part of the esteemed Cartier Collection, a testament to its enduring value and significance in jewelry history.

In 2019, Cartier paid homage to Félix's original crocodile necklace by creating a tribute piece featuring 46.45 carats of diamonds and emeralds. This modern interpretation showcases the continued influence and inspiration drawn from Félix's iconic jewelry.

The exhibition also features other notable Cartier pieces, such as the famous Panther necklace made for the Duchess of Windsor. These additional items provide context and showcase Cartier's legacy of creating unique, bespoke jewelry for distinguished clients.

Why this matters: The exhibition of María Félix's Cartier jewelry collection, particularly the iconic crocodile necklace, highlights the enduring artistry, craftsmanship, and innovation of the renowned luxury brand. It also emphasizes the significance of personalization and close collaboration between jewelers and their high-profile clients in creating truly one-of-a-kind pieces that stand the test of time.

The crocodile necklace remains a symbol of Félix's bold style and Cartier's ability to transform a client's vision into a breathtaking reality. "Félix was deeply involved in the design process, even bringing her pet into the Cartier store to ensure the necklace was accurate," emphasizing the actress's hands-on approach and the jeweler's commitment to realizing her unique request. As the exhibition showcases this iconic piece and other notable items from Félix's collection, it celebrates the enduring partnership between a daring artist and a legendary jewelry house.

Key Takeaways

• Cartier showcases María Félix's iconic crocodile necklace with 1,023 diamonds, 1,060 emeralds.
• Félix collaborated closely with Cartier, even bringing her pet crocodile to ensure accuracy.
• Only Félix and Monica Bellucci have worn the necklace, now part of Cartier's collection.
• Cartier created a tribute necklace in 2019 to honor Félix's original design.
• The exhibition highlights Cartier's artistry, craftsmanship, and personalization for high-profile clients.