That Cartier is one of the absolute and timeless protagonists of high jewelry there is no doubt. With its sophisticated creations and its iconic red-and-gold packaging-captured, of course, from the signs of its boutiques-it has made and continues to make an indelible mark in the history of luxury, beloved by women and men of every generation for that allure of inimitable exclusivity.
Certainly, some of his most famous pieces have now become must-have cult pieces: just think of the Love bracelet or watches such as the Tank or the Panthère, to name but a few examples. Yet its iconicity also and above all passes through the production of prestigious and rare objects, emblems of the most sophisticated jewelry expertise and definitely destined to become legendary. Among them, we cannot fail to mention the Alligator Necklace, the necklace with the two crocodiles made with more than 1,000 yellow diamonds and 1060 emeralds. To call it a luxury necklace would be reductive, since it is a true symbol of jewelry history, comparable only to the charm of certain jewelry that belonged to the monarchies of the past.
Every detail is made with precision and care. Stones are chosen for their beauty and uniqueness. The design remains elegant and refined, though not without the magnificent opulence that has contributed in no small part to its myth. But what is the story behind one of the most coveted and incredible pieces of luxury jewelry?
A story perhaps almost more incredible than the object itself. It all began in 1975, when Mexican actress María Félix entered the Cartier boutique at 13 Rue de la Paix in Paris to request a special order. The story, as it is still passed down today, has it that the actress was accompanied by a real baby crocodile, which the fashion house’s designers used as inspiration. Felix wanted Cartier’s expert jewelers to replicate the crocodile’s features as accurately as possible. It is not known whether the extravagant actress carried the baby alligator in a jar or in some kind of aquarium, the fact is that Cartier’s artisans chose to please her, making for her the most beautiful necklace ever and introducing a new recurring element for the maison’s collections, inspired by the world of wildlife.
Indeed, after meticulous study and countless hours of planning, artisans were able to realistically reproduce the reptile’s likeness, creating two crocodiles that entwine around the neck with impactful elegance. One of them is composed of 1,060 emeralds and features two cabochon rubies for eyes, while its twin is made with 1,023 yellow diamonds. But who were the people who had the privilege of sporting this veritable piece of art?
After Maria Felix-who sold most of her private jewelry collection shortly before her death in 2002-Cartier chose to repurchase the Alligator Necklace as part of her personal historical legacy. Later, in 2006, it was the most beautiful actress on the Italian scene who was the first to be able to wear this unique piece, namely Monica Bellucci. In fact, the icon of Mediterranean beauty sported the necklace at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival, paired with a minimal chic unbuttoned white shirt, perfect to bring out the opulence of the jewel to the fullest. After her, only Egyptian actress and model Yasmine Sabri in 2021 and Mexican actress Mabel Cadena for a cover of Vogue México in March 2023 have had the privilege of wearing it, a total of only four people in more than 50 years of history. This is a not insignificant detail, which has contributed in no small part to the legend of Cartier and its rarest jewel, fueling the legendary aura surrounding it. What, if any, will be the next diva to wear it?
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