by Leonore Dicker
 
What better animal than a mysterious panther to represent Cartier? The ferociously sophisticated jewelry brand has recently released its fierce fifty-six-piece Panther line.
 
While the feline had already made an appearance in 1914 on a black-and-white abstract onyx and diamond-paving wristwatch, it’s gone through a modern revival for this latest collection.
 
Cartier’s first ever panther woman ­–a mysterious and independent muse, ready to be unleashed– was Jeanne Toussaint, Louis Cartier’s close collaborator and muse. She greatly impacted the face of jewelry when she carried her role as Cartier’s high jewelry creative director in 1933.
 
The label was now ready to offer this sharp voracious title to the rest of the world through their brand new Panther collection.
 
From white gold diamond rings to yellow gold beaded necklaces, each jewel features the wild cat through a different angle. Some rings portray a roaring panther while bracelets expose a relaxed hugging creature tangled around a woman’s wrist, begging to be adopted.
The dazzling panthers have been meticulously designed, down to the very last detail, to look fabulous. They are first carved from a block of green wax, which is then made into a metal mold that is covered in gems. The ears are paved outside and polished inside, while toes are hemmed by either a line, an engraving or a paving –making sure that no component is overlooked.
 
The intricate accessories all have one thing in common: they bring some assertive elegance to any woman who dares to carry them.