The World's Most Expensive Jade Necklace
You think diamonds are the holy grail of jewelry? Wait till you meet the legendary Hutton-Mdivani Necklace — a $27.44 million jade masterpiece that redefined luxury.
Imagine being so wealthy that your father gifts you a necklace worth a small castle as a wedding present. That's exactly what happened to Barbara Hutton in 1933 when she received this extraordinary Cartier creation.
What Makes Imperial Green Jade So Rare?
The Hutton-Mdivani Necklace features 27 massive imperial green jadeite beads — the crown jewel of jade colors. Imperial Green is insanely rare and was the favored jade color of Qing dynasty emperors for generations, which is exactly how it earned its prestigious name.
Like many Chinese treasures lost during the late Qing era, the origins of these jade beads remain shrouded in mystery. Given the historical context of European activities in China during that period, these gems were likely not acquired through fair or transparent means.
The Extraordinary Size and Quality
What makes this necklace even more remarkable? Most jade beads of this exceptional quality measure under 10mm. These beads? They range from 15.4 to 19.2mm — absolutely massive by comparison.
Here's a common misconception: this necklace didn't come from one big magical jade rock. The reality is far more impressive. You'd need a mountain of top-quality jadeite rough, then cut and reject 99.9% of it — just to find a few beads worthy of sitting next to each other.
Matching 27 massive beads in the same Imperial Green shade? That's like winning the lottery twenty-seven times.
Record-Breaking Auction History
1988 - The First Public Appearance: The necklace made its auction debut, achieving an unprecedented $2 million sale — a record-setting moment for jadeite jewelry worldwide.
1994 - Hong Kong Auction: Six years later, it reemerged in Hong Kong, selling for $4.2 million and once again pushing jadeite to a new historic high.
2014 - The Ultimate Record: At Sotheby's Hong Kong, the Hutton-Mdivani Necklace shattered all expectations, selling for $27.44 million and making history as the most expensive jade piece ever sold.
And yes — Cartier won it back fair and square this time.
Why Jade Collectors Prize Imperial Green
Imperial green jadeite represents the pinnacle of jade quality, combining perfect color saturation, transparency, and texture. For serious collectors and connoisseurs, a piece like the Hutton-Mdivani Necklace represents not just jewelry, but a piece of cultural heritage and geological miracle.
If you don't know, now you know.