The Toussaint Diamond Necklace
The Toussaint diamond necklace has been a classic piece since the 1920s. It has become a symbol of style and class and has been worn by numerous celebrities, such as the late Princess Diana.
History
A Cartier Toussaint diamond necklace has a colourful history. It was created in 1931 for the Maharaja of Nawanagar in India. The jewel, however, was lost after the Maharaja’s death in 1952. If it was still in existence, the necklace would be worth at least $150 million.
The original design was by Jacques Cartier. The 136-carat blue-white Queen of Holland diamond is one of seven rare diamonds used in the design. This diamond was named after Her Majesty Queen Wilhelmina.
It is considered to be the world’s most spectacular cascade of coloured diamonds. It was described by Jacques Cartier as the best such jewellery in the world.
While the original was made for the Maharaja, a replica was designed for the film Ocean’s 8. For the movie, it was reduced by 20 percent, and it was scaled down to fit the proportions of the actress Anne Hathaway.
When Cartier was approached by Ocean’s 8 director Adam Shankman, the company came up with a creative solution. In eight weeks, the jewelry house crafted a new version of the jewel. To do so, Cartier turned to its archives, which include a number of photographs of the owner.
Using the photos, the jewelry house recreated the original artefact. It was then mounted on white gold. At the same time, it was made with a high degree of care, so that it could endure the rigours of intensive handling on set.
The final result, known as the “Toussiant,” was produced in a record time of less than two months. Its dazzling sparkle is reminiscent of cut diamonds.
Cartier’s jewel is also a symbol of its relationship with Ocean’s 8. It was loaned to the movie for cameos. Currently, it sits on Daphne Kluger’s neck at the Met Gala.
For the film’s release, Cartier flew the necklace from Paris to New York. They also preserved the original design drawing, which was the basis for the new creation.
In addition, the necklace was constructed with zirconium oxides, a material that is both natural and durable. It is then mounted on white gold to create a bright shine from every angle.
Ocean’s 8 movie
If you’re a fan of the Ocean’s 8 film, you may have noticed the iconic Cartier necklace. It’s a piece of jewelry that plays a major role in the plot. The original necklace, which was created for a man, was slightly larger than the one shown on screen.
Cartier is an official partner of the Ocean’s 8 movie, and designed the necklace for the movie. The jewel, which was inspired by the original 1931 piece by Jacques Cartier, has a value of over US$150 million.
In fact, it was the only Cartier piece that was made specifically for the film. For eight weeks, master jewelers at Cartier’s High Jewelry workshops in Paris created the necklace. They used the company’s archives to find the perfect design.
Originally created for a man, the original necklace features blue and white diamonds. Cartier incorporated the Panthere symbol into the necklace.
Cartier also provided fine jewellery and timepieces for the film’s actors. It was the only on-site jeweller on set during five days of filming at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
According to Harper’s Bazaar, Cartier also designed a replica of the necklace for the film. The replica was produced using zirconium oxides, which look and feel like real diamonds.
Aside from the Cartier necklace, the other jewellery and other pieces on display in the Ocean’s 8 exhibition are authentic. A number of real Cartier gems appear in the film, including the diamond and platinum Lavaliere necklace worn by Anna Wintour.
Other items on display include a custom-made Valentino cape, an immersive virtual reality experience, and a replica of the heist-worthy Cartier Jeanne Toussaint diamond necklace. These items, along with the other pieces on display, will be on display at the Cartier Fifth Avenue Mansion for a limited time.
So, if you’re heading to the theatre to see Ocean’s 8, you’ll definitely want to take a few minutes to learn about the Jeanne Toussaint necklace. You won’t be disappointed!
Despite the high cost of the original necklace, the replica was actually much less expensive. The actual piece was only about 15% smaller than the one in the film.
Cartier replica on display at the Cartier Mansion
If you’re a Cartier lover, you’ll be happy to hear that the company has finally completed its Mansion renovation at its Fifth Avenue Manhattan flagship. The two-and-a-half year renovation has added technology to the mansion. For example, customers can now make purchases and browse the collection in any of the public areas. There is also an interactive AR experience on the third floor that provides an overview of the watchmaking process.
The reopening of the Cartier Mansion on June 8 was attended by Academy Award-winning director Sofia Coppola. She is a close friend of the company.
The store has undergone a top-to-bottom makeover. Thierry Despont, a world-renowned architect, has overseen the project. His work includes restorations of landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and the Ritz Paris.
In addition to the museum quality watches, Cartier has a vast selection of jewelry on display. Among the items you can find are the Jeanne Toussaint necklace and the Ocean’s 8 necklace. It features a double strand of natural pearls.
Besides the rare jewelry, the Cartier boutique is a dazzling showcase of a curated selection of precious accessories, antiques and custom furnishings. You can find the latest limited edition pieces as well as sparkling displays of rare jewels.
Several rooms in the building are named after famous clients, such as the Grace Kelly Salon, which features an Art Deco bracelet. Others are named for iconic Cartier clients, such as the Elizabeth Taylor Salon.
The reopening of the store has brought new clientele into the fold. They can now make appointments with Cartier associates using tablets. This is a first for the company. Customers can access WiFi to navigate through the public spaces.
Cartier has also launched a gold edition of the Apollo 11 landing module, honoring the astronauts who participated in the 1969 mission. As part of the Forbes Galleries event, the solid gold version of the module will be offered to the public.
To top it all off, the mansion itself is an iconic symbol of prestige watchmaking. Cartier has a long history with the mansion, dating back to 1917.
Jeanne Toussaint’s legacy
Jeanne Toussaint is one of the most influential women in the world of jewelry. She was a visionary and artist who became a creative director for Cartier in the 20th century. The French company created the legendary Panthere collection under her leadership, which is still considered a classic.
Jeanne Toussaint was born in Belgium in 1887. Her parents were lacemakers. She grew up in a family that did not have a great deal of money, but she was surrounded by handmade goods. From a young age, she developed an interest in fashion and design.
When she was fifteen, she left her native country and landed in Brussels. It was there that she met Count Antoine de Quinsonas, a pedophile. They became lovers. After three years, he took Toussaint to Paris. While there, he introduced her to the city’s fashion community.
She quickly became a fixture in the fashionable social circles of the time. Her flamboyant style drew the attention of Coco Chanel. But despite this, Toussaint never lost her passion for animals. As a child, she often dreamed of owning a panther.
One of the first pieces of jewelry designed by Toussaint was a handbag. She also designed luxury lipstick tubes, money clips, and wallets for wealthy women.
In 1933, Louis Cartier hired Toussaint to design purses and handbags. By the end of that year, Toussaint had become the artistic director for the company. During her tenure, she worked to expand the company’s accessories line, creating the famous Panthere collection.
She also branched out into more naturalistic designs. To that end, she collaborated with designer Peter Lemarchand. Together, they created the “L’Oiseau Libre” brooch. This bird is a symbol of freedom.
Jeanne Toussaint is remembered for her creativity and her bold, stylish prints. She is now remembered as the “Coco Chanel of jewellery”.
She created timeless designs for Cartier, and her work helped to create the brand’s signature Panthere collection. Throughout her career, Toussaint was a pioneer for the jewelry industry. She was a woman with a unique vision and a keen understanding of what women needed.
The Toussaint Diamond Necklace