The Five Most Expensive Cartier Necklaces
Explore the most expensive Cartier necklaces, from iconic Tutti Frutti designs to extraordinary creations featuring rare sapphires, emeralds and natural pearls.
Cartier necklaces have long provided the Maison with a canvas for some of its most ambitious jewelry designs, bringing together exceptional gemstones, technical craftsmanship and recognizable design signatures. From exuberant Tutti Frutti creations set with carved colored gemstones to important jewels featuring Kashmir sapphires, Colombian emeralds and rare natural pearls, the finest examples reveal the extraordinary range of Cartier high jewelry. Read on to discover five of the most expensive Cartier necklaces sold at auction since 2020, the remarkable gemstones behind them and what makes each piece exceptional.
Most Expensive Cartier Necklaces
| Rank | Cartier Necklace | Notable Features | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cartier ‘Tutti Frutti’ Gem-Set and Diamond Necklace, from a Demi-Parure | Carved emeralds, rubies and sapphires centered on a 50.44-carat emerald, with detachable emerald drops totaling approximately 71.22 carats. | $3.3M |
| 2 | Cartier Sapphire and Diamond Necklace | 1950s swag design set with 34.91 carats of unheated Kashmir sapphires and approximately 40.09 carats of diamonds. | $2.84M |
| 3 | Cartier ‘Tutti Frutti’ Coloured Stone and Diamond Pendent Necklace | Pair of diamond-set parrots surrounded by carved rubies, emeralds and sapphires, suspended from three strands of emerald beads. | $2.76M |
| 4 | Cartier Emerald and Diamond Pendent Necklace | Circa 1932 necklace centered on an 11.78-carat Colombian emerald, with important D-color diamonds and historic provenance. | $1.7M |
| 5 | Cartier Natural Pearl and Diamond Necklace | 32 exceptionally large natural saltwater pearls with a diamond-set clasp, from the collection of Marylou Whitney. | $1.65M |
1. Cartier ‘Tutti Frutti’ Gem-Set and Diamond Necklace, from a Demi-Parure, $3.3M USD
A Cartier ‘Tutti Frutti’ Gem-Set and Diamond Demi-Parure sold for 25.9M HKD in April 2023. The result was for the complete suite, comprising a necklace and matching ear clips, with the necklace forming its centerpiece. A hexagonal carved emerald weighing approximately 50.44 carats and a carved ruby of approximately 10.15 carats anchor the design, surrounded by onyx, diamonds and carved rubies, sapphires and emeralds arranged as colorful leaves and flowers. Two pear-shaped carved emerald drops totaling approximately 71.22 carats are suspended from the necklace and can be detached and worn with a separate diamond necklace included with the lot.
Created in 2018, the jewel is a contemporary expression of Cartier’s celebrated Tutti Frutti style, whose origins can be traced to Jacques Cartier’s encounters with Indian gemstones and Mughal decorative arts in the early 20th century. Cartier transformed carved emeralds, rubies and sapphires traditionally associated with Indian jewelry by combining them with diamonds, platinum and onyx, developing the exuberant aesthetic that would become known as Tutti Frutti. The 2018 necklace carries those signatures forward through its vivid color, naturalistic motifs and exceptional carved gemstones, while its detachable elements reflect Cartier’s longstanding interest in transformable high jewelry.
2. Cartier Sapphire and Diamond Necklace, $2.84M USD
A magnificent Cartier Sapphire and Diamond Necklace sold for $2.84M USD in June 2023. Dating to circa 1950, the swag-style necklace is set with five emerald- and square emerald-cut sapphires weighing 10.01, 7.66, 7.35, 5.45 and 4.44 carats, for a combined weight of 34.91 carats. The sapphires are complemented by approximately 40.09 carats of round, baguette and square-cut diamonds, creating the highly structured, symmetrical composition characteristic of Cartier jewelry from the period.
Adding considerably to the necklace's rarity, all five sapphires were determined to be of Kashmir origin with no indications of heating. Kashmir sapphires rank among the most coveted colored gemstones, prized for the richly saturated, velvety blue associated with material from the historic deposits. Combining five important unheated examples within a single signed Cartier jewel makes this necklace exceptional not only for its design, but also for the rarity and quality of its gemstones.
3. Cartier ‘Tutti Frutti’ Coloured Stone and Diamond Pendent Necklace, $2.76M USD
A Cartier ‘Tutti Frutti’ Coloured Stone and Diamond Pendent Necklace sold for 21.6M HKD in April 2026. The elaborate design centers on a pair of embracing parrots pavé-set with brilliant-cut diamonds, with circular-cut emerald eyes and mother-of-pearl beaks. Carved rubies, emeralds and sapphires form the surrounding foliate decoration, accented by further diamonds and a suspended diamond briolette. Three strands of emerald beads complete the necklace, joined by a clasp similarly set with carved colored gemstones and diamonds.
The jewel brings together two signatures deeply associated with Cartier: naturalistic animal motifs and the exuberant carved gemstones of Tutti Frutti. The contrast between the diamond-set parrots, richly colored carved stones and multiple strands of emerald beads gives the necklace a particularly sculptural quality. Mounted in platinum and 18-karat gold and accompanied by a Cartier certificate of authenticity, it represents a highly elaborate contemporary interpretation of one of the Maison’s most recognizable high-jewelry traditions.
4. Cartier Emerald and Diamond Pendent Necklace, $1.7M USD
A Cartier Emerald and Diamond Pendent Necklace sold for 1.3M CHF in November 2025. Dating to circa 1932, the necklace centers on an 11.78-carat octagonal step-cut Colombian emerald, accompanied by an SSEF report stating minor oil. The emerald is suspended within an old European-cut diamond frame and complemented by an important series of diamonds, including a 5.54-carat D-color, VS2 marquise-shaped diamond and a 3.12-carat heart-shaped diamond. A 2.64-carat cushion-shaped emerald surrounded by rose-cut diamonds forms the clasp.
The necklace was associated with Albertina Taylor Winthrop, an American heiress who married Dutch diplomat Herman van Roijen in 1904. The gemstones were most likely given to Winthrop around the time of her marriage before being remounted by Cartier in 1932. Rather than embracing the geometric Art Deco aesthetic dominant at the time, Cartier arranged the stones in a softer style recalling jewels of the Gilded Age, giving the necklace an unusual combination of important gemstones, period design and distinguished history.
5. Cartier Natural Pearl and Diamond Necklace, $1.65M USD
A Cartier Natural Pearl and Diamond Necklace from the collection of Marylou Whitney sold for $1.65M USD in December 2020. The necklace comprises 32 graduated natural saltwater pearls, ranging from approximately 14.9 x 14.8 mm to 9.2 x 9.0 mm, finished with a clasp accented by two round diamonds in floral settings. A GIA report confirmed the pearls as natural and saltwater, while an accompanying letter described a necklace containing pearls across this size range as exceptionally rare.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitney purchased the necklace from Cartier in 1950, when it originally contained 36 pearls; four were subsequently removed. A 1959 Cartier appraisal was also the first surviving document to associate the pearls with Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoléon III, although documentation establishing that earlier history has been lost. Even without confirmed imperial provenance, the remarkable size and natural origin of the pearls, combined with its Cartier history and association with Marylou Whitney, distinguish the necklace among important natural pearl jewels.
From the carved colored gemstones of Tutti Frutti to unheated Kashmir sapphires, Colombian emeralds and exceptionally rare natural pearls, these necklaces demonstrate the range of qualities collectors prize in important Cartier jewelry. Exceptional gemstones are central to each, but it is their combination with distinctive design, craftsmanship and, in some cases, significant history that separates these necklaces from more conventional high jewelry and has helped drive their remarkable results at auction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Collecting Cartier Necklaces
Which vintage Cartier necklace styles are most sought after?
Important Art Deco jewels, early Tutti Frutti designs and distinctive pieces featuring Cartier signatures such as Panthère and exceptional colored gemstones are particularly prized by collectors.
Why are Cartier Tutti Frutti necklaces so collectible?
Tutti Frutti combines carved emeralds, rubies and sapphires with diamonds and often onyx, reflecting Cartier's early 20th-century engagement with Indian gemstones and Mughal design. Important examples are prized for the quality of their carving, composition and connection to this defining chapter of Cartier design.
Do gemstones or Cartier design matter more to value?
Both can be significant. Exceptional Kashmir sapphires, Colombian emeralds or natural pearls can drive substantial value, while an important Cartier design can elevate a jewel beyond the value of its gemstones alone.
Does the age of a Cartier necklace make it more valuable?
Not necessarily. Period, rarity, design quality and significance within Cartier's history matter more than age alone. Exceptional contemporary high-jewelry creations can also achieve significant prices.
What should collectors look for in a signed Cartier necklace?
Beyond the signature, collectors consider design, craftsmanship, gemstone quality, period, rarity and how strongly the jewel represents Cartier's most important design traditions.
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