CrimeSep 07, 2021
6 Charged in Connection with Green Vault Jewel HeistCrimeDec 20, 2022
Authorities Recover Some Royal Jewels from Green Vault Heist
Important pieces are still missing following the 2019 robbery of the Green Vault Museum in Dresden, Germany.
German police recently recovered several jewels stolen from the historic Green Vault in Dresden, Germany in a November 2019 heist. (Image credit: © Grünes Gewölbe, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden. Photo: David Brandt)
Berlin—German authorities have recovered some of the 18th century royal jewels stolen from the Green Vault museum in Dresden, Germany in November 2019, though important pieces are still missing.
In a statement, local police said they found 31 items in Berlin, several of which are believed to be intact, including the Polish Order of the White Eagle breast star and a hat decoration.
An epaulette (shoulder piece) set with the famed “Dresden White Diamond” as well as the large bustle bow of Queen Amalie Auguste remain missing.
SEE: Some of the Jewelry Stolen from the Green Vault
In a statement, local police said they found 31 items in Berlin, several of which are believed to be intact, including the Polish Order of the White Eagle breast star and a hat decoration.
An epaulette (shoulder piece) set with the famed “Dresden White Diamond” as well as the large bustle bow of Queen Amalie Auguste remain missing.
SEE: Some of the Jewelry Stolen from the Green Vault
This breast star from the Order of the White Eagle was among the items recovered. (Image credit: © Grünes Gewölbe, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden. Photo: Jürgen Karpinski)
An epaulette featuring 20 large and 216 small diamonds; the largest diamond is about 31.5 carats. This jewel remains missing. (Image credit: © Grünes Gewölbe, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden. Photo: Jürgen Karpinski)
This jewel from the bustle of Queen Amalie Auguste is also still missing. (Image credit: © Grünes Gewölbe, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden. Photo: Jürgen Karpinski)
This jewel-encrusted sword and scabbard was among the items stolen in the heist. (Image credit: © Grünes Gewölbe, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden. Photo: Jürgen Karpinski)
The recovered jewels were returned to Dresden where police can forensically examine them. Specialists from the Dresden State Art Collections will verify their authenticity and status.
Police did not share information about where the jewels were found in Berlin because the investigation, known as “Operation Epaulette,” is still active.
In September 2021, six suspects, German nationals ages 22 to 27, were charged with organized robbery and arson after allegedly breaking into the museum and swiping jewelry with an insured value of at least $135 million.
The suspects are believed to have set a fire before the break-in to cut the power supply to the streetlights outside of the museum. They also set fire to a car in a nearby garage.
Their trial began in January and is ongoing, with another trial session scheduled this week.
Authorities said before the recovery of the jewels, prosecutors and the defense were in “exploratory talks” about reaching a settlement that would include the return of the jewels.
Marion Ackermann, Dresden’s State Art Collections director, said at the time of the theft that the true value of the jewels couldn’t be measured.
“We cannot give a value because it is impossible to sell,” she told reporters. “The material value doesn’t reflect the historic meaning.”
Michael Kretschmer, minister president of Saxony, the German state where Dresden is located, took to Twitter at the time to comment on the heist, stating: “It’s not just the state art collections that was robbed, but us Saxons.”
“One can’t understand the history of Saxony without the Green Vault,” he said.
The Green Vault is one of the world’s oldest museums, created in 1723 by Augustus the Strong of Saxony, who wanted to establish Dresden as an arts hub.
His treasury, on display in Dresden’s Royal Palace, includes 4,000 jewels, objets d’art, and other historically significant items.
The museum’s most famous treasure is the Dresden Green Diamond, a 41-carat green diamond, which was on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for an exhibition at the time of the heist.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
Events & AwardsOct 06, 2026
JIS Fall Returns to MiamiThe 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
