CrimeFeb 06, 2023
Queens Jeweler Convicted of Laundering Stolen Luxury WatchesCrimeFeb 23, 2023
Stolen Ancient Jewels Returned to Cambodia
The 77-piece jewelry collection dates back to the Angkor kingdom that ruled Cambodia from the 9th to the 15th centuries.
A collection of ancient jewelry, including these crowns, was returned to Cambodia after being retrieved from the estate of British antiquities collector and dealer Douglas Latchford, who was accused of trafficking stolen and looted Cambodian antiques. (Image courtesy of Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts)
Phnom Penh, Cambodia—A collection of ancient jewelry stolen from Cambodia has been returned, Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts announced Monday.
The age-old jewels, dating back to the Angkor kingdom that ruled Cambodia from the 9th to 15th centuries, included crowns, necklaces, bracelets, belts, earrings and amulets made of gold and other metals.
Many of these objects have never before been seen by the public, said the ministry.
“The repatriation of these national treasures opens a new era of understanding and scholarship about the Angkorian empire and its significance to the world,” Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, minister of Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, said in a statement.
The jewels were the latest goods retrieved from the estate of British antiquities collector and dealer Douglas Latchford.
The age-old jewels, dating back to the Angkor kingdom that ruled Cambodia from the 9th to 15th centuries, included crowns, necklaces, bracelets, belts, earrings and amulets made of gold and other metals.
Many of these objects have never before been seen by the public, said the ministry.
“The repatriation of these national treasures opens a new era of understanding and scholarship about the Angkorian empire and its significance to the world,” Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, minister of Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, said in a statement.
The jewels were the latest goods retrieved from the estate of British antiquities collector and dealer Douglas Latchford.
These are a few of the 77 pieces of jewelry returned to Cambodia after being looted. (Image courtesy of Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts)
Late antiquities collector and dealer Douglas Latchford was accused of trafficking stolen and looted Cambodian antiques. (Image courtesy of Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts)
An expert in Cambodian and Indian antiques, Latchford supplied auction houses, art dealers, and museums around the world with Cambodian antiquities from the ancient Khmer Empire, starting in the 1970s, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
In November 2019, U.S. federal prosecutors charged Latchford with wire fraud, smuggling, and conspiracy related to the alleged trafficking of stolen and looted Cambodian antiques.
Latchford is accused of creating fake documents to hide the objects’ illicit origins, including provenance information, invoices, and shipping papers.
A number of the items were stolen from Cambodia during periods of turmoil and unrest, like during the 1970s under the rule of the Khmer Rouge, according to the statement from the U.S. Attorney’s office.
He died in August 2020 at the age of 88, and so the indictment against him was later dismissed.
Documents leaked as part of the Pandora Papers revealed how Latchford allegedly used offshore trusts to obscure information about his antiquities.
Following his death, Latchford’s daughter, Nawapan Kriangsak, who had inherited his collection, stated she would return all of his Cambodian artifacts to the country’s national museum in Phnom Penh.
“Over the last few years, I became increasingly convinced that the best way to deal with this legacy would be to give all his Khmer art, irrespective of origin, to the people of Cambodia,” she said in a statement to CNN.
The monetary value of Latchford’s collection is estimated to be around $50 million, according to The New York Times.
These jewels and golden bowl were among the looted items returned to Cambodia. (Image courtesy of Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts)
In August 2022, the U.S. Attorney’s office announced the return of 30 looted antiquities to Cambodia, including two 10th century sculptures taken from the ancient Khmer capital Koh Ker.
The recent return of this jewelry collection was a group effort, spearheaded by Cambodian lawmaker Hun Many, who is also the youngest son of the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Se.
He worked with the team at his country’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and U.S-based legal advisers Bradley J. Gordon and Steven Heimberg.
The handover of the goods took place Feb. 17 in the presence of several contributors to the effort, including Hun Many and U.K. representatives from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Art and Antiques Unit of London’s Metropolitan Police, and the Arts Council England.
Cultural minister Sackona encouraged private individuals, museums, and other institutions who own Cambodian cultural heritage objects to return them to their home country.
“We consider such returns as a noble act, which not only demonstrates important contributions to a nation’s culture, but also contributes to the reconciliation and healing of Cambodians who went through decades of civil war and suffered tremendously from the tragedy of the Khmer Rouge genocide,” she said.
“The ministry will continue to search for and bring home its national treasures back to Cambodia for the benefit of the Cambodian people and the world.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The Latest
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
