Unconcerned with the stone’s exceptional nature, she sought to infuse it with her own personal touch—a habit she maintained over the years, often reworking the jewels that were already part of her collection.
3. The world’s most valuable jadeite necklace
Hutton received the necklace as a wedding gift from her father in 1933, when she married the self-proclaimed Prince Alexis Mdivani, who squandered much of his fortune. Crafted from 27 jadeite pearls of exceptional translucency, with vivid color and cloudlike formations not visible to the naked eye, it had likely belonged to the Chinese royal family in the early 19th century before coming into the possession of Cartier, which completed it with a platinum clasp.
It was later modified by Hutton herself, who, in perfect Art Deco style, replaced the clasp with a round one made of yellow gold, diamonds, and rubies. The piece was then auctioned by Sotheby’s in 2013 in Hong Kong, during a sale dedicated specifically to jade creations: Given the necklace’s rarity and exceptional history, Cartier itself purchased it, adding it to its own collection for the exorbitant sum of $27 million.
4. The Ludo bracelet created for her by Van Cleef & Arpels
Hutton frequently collaborated with the French house, which created exceptional pieces for her that reflected both her extraordinary taste and the brand’s technical expertise. One of the pieces that went down in history was a special, custom-made version of the Ludo bracelet: Inspired by men’s belt buckles, it was usually crafted in yellow gold, in keeping with the preferences of the era.
In 1935, however, the heiress commissioned a version in platinum and diamonds that she wore often, ultimately setting a trend among those in the high-society circles she frequented, who in turn began requesting the piece in the same materials, considered the pinnacle of glamour and sophistication.
5. Marie Antoinette’s pearl necklace
Another wedding gift, purchased by Hutton’s father from Cartier on the occasion of her first marriage: As reported by Christie’s—although it has not been proven that the necklace came from the French queen’s personal collection—the jewel is considered authentic by experts who have analyzed what remains of the sovereign’s jewelry box, which is why the necklace has always borne her name. Hutton, who grew up in Europe—in Paris, London, and Monte Carlo—was a great admirer of the queen and even owned some of the furniture from the Palace of Versailles.
In 1999 the piece was sold at auction for what was, at the time, a record price for a single strand of pearls.
Original story appeared in VF Italia.
