María Félix´s jewel collection

 "They say that pearls make women cry, but the only pearls that make cry are the fake ones!" - María Félix

-          I think you have a big obsession with money – said a famous reporter to the even more famous María Félix. -  I mean, for your external signs… that thing that you have horses in Paris, that you have your ears all covered with emeralds, so many jewels; I think is a sing of…

-          It´s a sign of respect – María interrupted him abruptly - Is a sign of the respect I have for my public. They like to see me wearing jewels and wearing the things I bring from Paris… what do you want? Do you want me to come all messy to your show? I try to look my best, just like you.

-          María, are these jewels real? – said the same reporter a bit later.

-          I am sorry? What do you mean by “real”? – answered María.

-          I mean, aren’t they made of glass?

-          What do you think, uh? What do you think?

-          Well I don’t know, they are so many!

-          This is a diamond- said María, flashing her enormous diamond ring.

In the early 1940s, Maria Félix was a rising star, and apparently she had plans to go to Hollywood and expand her career. While in the US she attended a party in which Greta Garbo was present. Garbo was so enthralled with Félix´s beauty that she approached her and while holding her face told her:  “You are so young and beautiful, please don’t come here… it is not good for you…”

And María never went back to Hollywood; instead she remained in México and became its biggest star, and the most famous Latin American star. She later went to Europe and was called the “plus belle femme do monde” or “the most beautiful woman in the world”. She went to Spain, Italy, and France… María was unstoppable.

While in France she discovered Cartier and went head over heels about it. She had a suitcase she called “El Niño” (The Child) full of lesser jewels. She wrapped them all with a handkerchief and took it like that to Cartier. María Félix wanted a unique piece of jewelry made out the small jewels she gave them. Cartier specially designed a 178,21-carat, articulated python, appealing to the legendary love María had for reptiles. Félix loved the oversized piece made out of platinum, gold, 2473 diamonds and 2 emeralds.

-          Why do you like ophidians so much?

-          I like the ophidians made out of diamonds... I wouldn’t throw a real python around my neck!

Later she took her baby alligator pet to Cartier and told them: “I want a jewel like him, but hurry! He grows fast!” The results were two spectacular articulated alligators that could be worn as a necklace or brooches. There are made of 524.9 grams of gold, 2 rubies, 1060 emeralds and 1023 yellow diamonds.

María´s passion for reptiles grew fast and soon she had a whole collection of snakes and alligators in the form of necklaces, bracelets and earrings. 

She also had a collection of mountain lion items, because her then husband Agustín Lara (known as the “ugliest man on earth”) called her puma (mountain lion) due to her ferocious personality. Although her jewel collection pales in comparison to Elizabeth Taylor´s; I think is nevertheless, impressive, especially because of their size and themes.

Maria Félix was definitely a fascinating and incredibly beautiful woman and she certainly has many more fascinating stories to be told…