This charming snail-shaped brooch, designed by Cartier in 1935, captures the gentle elegance of a snail
in motion through an exquisite combination of coral, diamonds, and onyx.
To recreate the snail’s spiraled shell, Cartier chose orange-pink coral, whose warm, lustrous tone perfectly evokes the natural sheen of a real shell. Master craftsmen meticulously carved the coral to follow the shell’s coiled pattern, giving it both depth and lifelike realism.
The snail’s soft body is entirely pavé-set with diamonds, allowing the stones’ brilliance to contrast beautifully with the smooth coral. The slender antennae are crafted in white gold, while the underside is inlaid with cabochon-cut onyx, its deep hue suggesting the subtle shadow formed as the snail glides gracefully across the ground.
