The Most Expensive Necklaces on the Market
The Most Expensive Necklaces on the Market
When it comes to the most expensive necklaces on the market, there are a number of different choices. These range from the Panthere de Cartier to the La Peregrina and the Patiala Necklace. Each of these pieces is unique and has a story behind it.
The Patiala Necklace
The Patiala necklace is the most expensive piece of jewellery ever created. It was designed by renowned jeweller Louis Cartier. The necklace is made of 18k yellow gold and set with 2,930 diamonds.
The Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh, commissioned the creation of the necklace. He wanted a piece that was a blend of elegance and power. In 1928, Cartier completed the piece. At the time, the necklace had a total of 960 carats of diamonds, including the world’s seventh-largest diamond.
After India gained independence in 1947, the Patiala necklace mysteriously disappeared. It is thought to have been stolen by the Indian Armed Forces. However, the exact circumstances have yet to be determined.
Eventually, it appeared in London. Part of the necklace was also found in a second-hand jewelry store in 1998. Luckily, Cartier associate Eric Nussbaum was able to recover the remainder of the necklace and restore it to its original glory.
In the early 20th century, the erstwhile Maharajas of India were known for their diamonds and gems. They would often display their riches in public.
The Maharaja of Patiala was a well-known patron of luxury firms. One of his favourite jewellery firms was Cartier. And, he often ordered beautiful and precious gems for his wives and concubines.
The Patiala necklace was an heirloom that passed down through the family. It was rediscovered in a small antique shop in London in 1998.
Cartier had been working on the necklace for three years. When the necklace was discovered, it was severely damaged. Many of the largest stones were missing, and the De Beers stone was gone. But, the necklace still had two Burmese rubies and seven diamonds ranging from 18 to 37 carats.
The Pink Star
The Pink Star is a large internally flawless fancy vivid pink diamond which was mined in Africa in 1999. It is considered the largest internal flawless pink diamond in the world. In addition, the gemstone is the biggest internationally flawless fancy pink diamond graded by the Gemmology Institute of America.
The gemstone was initially cut from a rough diamond weighing 132.5 carats. This made the stone the largest pink diamond ever mined. Since the original size, the Pink Star weighs 59.6 carats.
The necklace has a clasp of rubies and diamonds. In addition to the main diamond, the jewel features 26 oval shaped pigeon blood Burmese rubies ranging in weight from 1.27 to 5.38 carats. There are also 114 green Jadeites.
Eric Valdieu, former Christie’s jewelry expert and owner of Valdieu Fine Arts, recalls seeing the “Pink Star” displayed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington in 2003. It is said that the necklace is valued at $83 million, making it the world’s most expensive gemstone.
The diamond was originally owned by Andrey Melnichenko. His wife gave him the diamond as a gift. He was unable to pay for the gem, but defaulted.
When it came time to sell the jewel, Isaac Wolf of New York placed a winning bid of $83 million, but he failed to make his payment. The jewel was then sold to Chow Tai Fook Enterprises.
The “Pink Star” has been an important attraction in the Smithsonian Institute. In 2005, the jewel was shown at the London Natural History Museum. Sotheby’s auctioned the piece for $71.2 million. But the current owner remains anonymous.
Cartier has been known for its motifs, which include Oriental forms and rare materials. These motifs have been used in many of its designs from the 1930s.
The La Peregrina
The La Peregrina necklace is a beautiful necklace from Cartier. It is made up of pearls and diamonds, and features a 55 carat pearl at its center. This Cartier necklace is dated around 1950, and the clasp is signed Cartier, Paris.
One of the most beautiful jewels in the world, the La Peregrina Pearl has a history that spans more than 500 years. It was originally discovered in the Gulf of Panama by an African slave. After being returned to Spain, it was used by various monarchs throughout the centuries. From the King Philip II of Spain to the King of England, Mary I, and finally Elizabeth Taylor, the pearl is seen in many royal portraits.
The La Peregrina has been in the Crown Jewels of Spain for over 250 years. King Phillip IV used it as a hat ornament. Other queens of Spain, including Queen Mary, also wore the pearl as a pendant on a brooch.
Elizabeth Taylor received the La Peregrina as a gift from Richard Burton in 1969. She was delighted with the pearl, and it became her favorite jewelry piece. When she reached the age of 37, Burton gave her the pearl as a Valentine’s Day gift. However, when she was young, she misplaced her diamond.
After Richard Burton’s death, Elizabeth Taylor was left with the La Peregrina necklace. Burton decided to have the necklace redesigned by Cartier.
The necklace contains eight floral patterns and diamonds in a floral design. There are 27 large Qing Jadeite beads, which range in size from 19.2 mm to 15.4 mm.
The necklace is completed by an oval clasp set with two fancy-shaped diamonds. Also, there is a pair of natural pearl and diamond ear pendants.
The Maharaja’s Choker
The legendary diamond necklace of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala disappeared from the royal treasury of his kingdom in 1948. This piece of jewellery is said to have contained over two thousand diamonds. It is one of the most expensive pieces of jewellery in the world.
When the jewel sadly went missing, it was thought that it had been stolen. However, it was uncovered in 1988. In the meantime, Cartier had replaced the missing stones with replicas and cubic zirconium.
Since then, the jewel has been back in the public eye. It was featured at the Met Gala in 2010, and wore by influential YouTuber Emma Chamberlain in 2012.
Today, the necklace is still owned by the descendent of Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, who is now a jeweller in California. One of the most sought after jewels in the world, the Patiala Necklace is a magical creation from Louis Cartier.
In 1928, the necklace was created for the Maharaja of Patiala. It is the second largest yellow faceted diamond in the world. It consists of twenty-four carats of De Beers diamonds, as well as Burmese rubies and pearls. There are five chains in the necklace.
Cartier has a vast collection of jewels designed for Indian rulers. Many of them reflect the Art Deco period of Indian design. They are also callbacks to the traditional Indian jewels.
The jewel has also been featured at several Cartier Exhibitions. For example, it was exhibited with a choker made by Cartier for the same ruler.
The jewel has been restored by Cartier’s Tradition department. It took four years to restore the necklace to its original glory.
Today, the jewel is part of a new collection of jewelry by Cartier called the New Maharajahs. This collection is a testament to the extravagant nature of ancient royalty. These jewels are constructed using precious materials and a classic red and gold Cartier border.
The Panthere de Cartier
The Panthere de Cartier necklace is one of the most expensive jewelry pieces on the market. This exquisite piece is made from diamonds and Jadeite stones. It is worth nearly $27.4 million.
The panther is the ultimate symbol for the luxury brand. Its powerful presence has influenced countless designs, from watches to perfumes and accessories.
Having been a muse for many acclaimed designers, including Jeanne Toussaint, it’s no wonder that the Panthere de Cartier jewelry collection is one of the most popular pieces in the Cartier line. The collection features a range of stunning bracelets, rings, and handbags, all with the iconic panther motif.
These boldly sculpted creations feature the iconic panther head in its entirety, or in smaller, more intimate parts. They are a contemporary interpretation of a classic design. As a result, they’re also perfect for everyday wear.
From the 1920s through the 1940s, Cartier Panthere jewelry was worn by celebrities and fashion icons. Wallis Simpson, Ella Ballinska, and Timothee Chalamet have all donned a version of the Panthere de Cartier pendant.
Today, Panthere is the symbol of the Cartier brand. Its sexy style and elegant breath make it perfect for women. Wearing the Panthere de Cartier necklace will add a sense of femininity and sophistication to any outfit.
In addition to the Panthere de Cartier necklace, the Cartier Panthere collection includes the Panthere Bracelet, which is available in white gold with diamond pave, yellow gold, and black lacquer spots. These sleek bracelets use a gold-bladed spring mechanism.
Panthere De Cartier jewelry is made from a selection of gemstones, including emerald eyes, green tsavorite garnets for the nose, and diamonds for the mouth. The panther head motifs measure 29mm x 14mm.
The Most Expensive Necklaces on the Market