Maria Felix and Cartier Crocodiles

Maria Felix was a Mexican actress whose golden age of acting in the 1940-1950’s culminated into her becoming known as a world-famous star. This led to her eventually being married four times and living in Paris, France.

While in Paris, Maria, who had a long-standing love for animals, frequently went to see the horse races. But she also liked or loved reptiles, and so she one day walked into Cartier in Paris and held in her hand a glass jar with two baby crocodiles in it. She asked Cartier to make a necklace resembling the two baby crocodiles. Cartier took her suggestion seriously and fashioned her a necklace of crocodiles one in gold and yellow diamonds and the other in emeralds and other precious stones. The two baby crocodiles could be worn together as a necklace or apart as a separate brooch perhaps. Today, this significant piece of jewelry by Cartier is so legendary, unique, and beautiful that it is seen only in the Cartier collections. Maria loved the necklace and wore it for many years.

Cartier Snake Necklace

She had a love of reptiles, that is for sure! La Dona also, while living in Paris, told Cartier to make her a rather violent and vicious looking snake necklace that would scare away anyone who looked her way! Her wish was granted and Maria was given a snake necklace that looked and moved like a real snake. She is seen in many pictures holding the snake necklace like it was the real thing! It is made of thousands of diamonds and enamel red and green stones to represent Mexico at the bottom of it. Maria loved her snake and crocodile jewelry while living a life of absolute luxury.