Those who are familiar with Cartier’s repertoire will recognise the iconic Tutti Frutti style in the Maharajah necklace

Front and Centre Necklaces were often the most extravagant and visible pieces in a maharajah’s jewellery vault. Here are three of the most famous—and only one still exists in its original state 1. THE NIZAM OF HYDERABAD NECKLACE

Gifted to Queen Elizabeth II by the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1947, this stunner of a diamond necklace was a special wedding gift. He was one of the richest men in the world at the time, which explains the generous gesture. The necklace was most recently seen on the Duchess of Cambridge when she wore it to the Queen’s 2019 Diplomatic Corps Reception.

2. THE PATIALA NECKLACE

This legendary necklace is the single largest commission ever given to Cartier by the Maharajah of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh, in the late 1920s. The massive five-tiered piece was set with over 2,930 diamonds totalling almost 1,000 carats, and held the famous 234-carat De Beers yellow diamond as its centrepiece. Apparently, the necklace had mysteriously disappeared from the Patiala treasury in 1948—rumour has it that the stones were taken out and sold separately when the family fell on hard times.

3. THE NAWANAGAR NECKLACE

If you’ve watched the movie Ocean’s 8, you won’t miss this necklace as the entire film is based on it. The necklace worn by actress Anne Hathaway is actually inspired by a real piece produced for the Maharajah of Nawanagar in 1931. The original necklace held the 136.25-carat blue-white Queen of Holland Diamond, a 12-carat olivegreen diamond and several largesized pink diamonds, interspersed among those white sparklers.