AuctionsJul 26, 2023
Tupac’s Crown Ring Sells for Over $1M at Auction CollectionsJul 27, 2023
Bow Brooch With Royal History For Sale At $2.7M
The piece was worn to Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840 and the crowning of King George VI in 1937.
This 200-carat old mine cut diamond bow brooch has attended a handful of royal occasions, and a New Orleans antiques dealer now has it up for sale.
New Orleans— Antique, art and jewelry dealer M.S. Rau is offering a 19th-century ribbon brooch with royal provenance.
The store acquired the piece from a private seller.
Featuring gold plating over silver and 200 carats of pear-cut and old mine cushion-cut diamonds, it’s one of the few existing brooches of its caliber, the company said. It comes in its original fitted case and is priced at $2.7 million.
The brooch boasts a fascinating royal provenance.
The 5th Duke of Newcastle, Henry Pelham-Clinton, commissioned the brooch for his wife, Lady Susan Hamilton in 1840. It was crafted by French jeweler Maison Babst, the Crown Jeweler to the French court for decades.
According to Rau’s description of the jewel, its design likely inspired the iconic bow brooch worn by Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoléon III, that was acquired by the Louvre for $10.5 million in 2008.
Lady Susan donned the brooch at the royal wedding of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert the same year it was created, and it was passed down in the family as an heirloom.
Related stories will be right here …
The store acquired the piece from a private seller.
Featuring gold plating over silver and 200 carats of pear-cut and old mine cushion-cut diamonds, it’s one of the few existing brooches of its caliber, the company said. It comes in its original fitted case and is priced at $2.7 million.
The brooch boasts a fascinating royal provenance.
The royal diamond bow brooch in its original case
The 5th Duke of Newcastle, Henry Pelham-Clinton, commissioned the brooch for his wife, Lady Susan Hamilton in 1840. It was crafted by French jeweler Maison Babst, the Crown Jeweler to the French court for decades.
According to Rau’s description of the jewel, its design likely inspired the iconic bow brooch worn by Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoléon III, that was acquired by the Louvre for $10.5 million in 2008.
Lady Susan Hamilton’s diamond bow brooch, pictured above, is thought to have inspired the design for Empress Eugenie’s bowknot a little more than a decade later in 1855.
Lady Susan donned the brooch at the royal wedding of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert the same year it was created, and it was passed down in the family as an heirloom.
In 1889, the 7th Duke of Newcastle gave it to his second wife, socialite Kathleen Florence May Pelham-Clinton, Duchess of Newcastle.
She famously wore the brooch in 1897 to the Devonshire Ball, held to honor Queen Victoria’s “Diamond Jubilee,” marking 60 years in power.
In 1937, the Duchess wore the piece again at the coronation of King George VI, posing for photographs by royal photographer Bassano.
Kathleen Florence May Pelham-Clinton, Duchess of Newcastle, wearing the brooch in 1897 at the Devonshire Ball
The Duchess of Newcastle wearing the diamond bow brooch as a stomacher at King George VI’s coronation in 1937
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Collections
The Latest
MajorsMar 13, 2025
Tanishq Opens 2 New Stores in the U.S.The Indian jewelry brand recently opened stores in Atlanta and Seattle.
FinancialsMar 13, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s 2024 Sales Struggled Amid Engagement RecoveryCEO Beth Gerstein shared its most popular price points, what’s trending in non-bridal fine jewelry, and its holiday performance.
MajorsMar 13, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names New CFO, TreasurerChris Anderson is joining the insurance provider as the new chief financial officer and treasurer.
Brought to you by
Watch: GIA Field Gemology at the One-Hundredth Expedition: A Look Back and to the FutureSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
Lab-GrownMar 13, 2025
JA Offering Some ‘Counter Intelligence’ on Diamonds Jewelers of America is distributing a brochure for retailers to use when discussing the differences between natural and lab-grown diamonds.
Weekly QuizMar 06, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingMar 12, 2025
5 Factors That Will Impact the Diamond Industry in 2025The industry is changing as it grapples with new realities around distribution, supply, and the need for consistent, effective marketing.
SourcingMar 12, 2025
Q&A: New GJEPC Chairman Kirit BhansaliBhansali discusses the potential impact of U.S. tariffs, demand for diamonds by market, and the “cautious confidence” in India right now.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
Lab-GrownMar 12, 2025
Beyond Jewelry: Possibilities in the Lab-Grown Diamond SectorAs lab-grown diamond brands pop up across India, academics are researching how to grow demand outside of the jewelry industry.
SourcingMar 12, 2025
Indian Leader, Retailer Among 2025 DDG Honorees Govind Dholakia and Tanishq will be recognized for their contributions to the industry at the Diamonds Do Good Awards in Las Vegas.
IndependentsMar 12, 2025
Marla Aaron Migrates to LondonThe New York City-based brand has opened its first U.K. location with a permanent shop-in-shop at Liberty in London.
AuctionsMar 12, 2025
A Medieval Bishop’s Sapphire Ring Is Going Up for SaleA metal detectorist discovered the ring that is believed to have belonged to a bishop in the late 12th to early 13th century.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2025
JA New York Announces Education, Live Demo LineupsOrganizers looked to new partnerships and interactive experiences to enhance the spring show, set for March 16 to 18.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2025
Bogolo Joy Kenewendo to Speak at Annual JVC LuncheonKenewendo, Botswana’s minister of minerals and energy, will discuss the future of diamonds.
CrimeMar 11, 2025
Man in Florida Swallows Allegedly Stolen Tiffany & Co. Jewelry The suspect allegedly stole almost $800,000 worth of diamond jewelry from a store in Orlando and then swallowed it during a traffic stop.
ColumnistsMar 11, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Pose on the Red CarpetAhead of the Gem Awards on Friday, Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share pro tips for taking the best photos.
TechnologyMar 11, 2025
Hill & Co. Launches New B2B Buyer DatabaseThose attending the company’s upcoming Zoom workshop will receive early access to “The List,” its new resource for finding buyers.
Events & AwardsMar 11, 2025
JSA to Honor GIA Employee at Annual LuncheonThe organization will present an award to Amy-Elise Signeavsky, law enforcement and diamond recovery manager at GIA.
MajorsMar 10, 2025
Terry Chandler to Retire After 24 Years as Head of DCA Chandler started his jewelry career at Michelson Jewelers, joining the Diamond Council of America as president and CEO in 2001.
CollectionsMar 10, 2025
MaeVona Co-Founder Debuts 3D-Printed ‘Tùsaire’ CollectionScottish American designer Maeve Gillies collaborated with Platinum Guild International on jewelry created by direct metal 3D printing.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersAhead of its trade show in May, TJS awarded free registration and accommodations to five up-and-coming jewelry industry professionals.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2025
These Designers, Journalists, and Retailers Are Up for a Gem Award The 2025 Gem Awards are set to take place Friday at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
MajorsMar 07, 2025
Jane Fonda, Mariska Hargitay Star in Pomellato’s IWD CampaignThe annual star-studded campaign for International Women’s Day encourages collective action against domestic violence.
CollectionsMar 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yeprem’s ‘Golden Strada’ NecklaceThe statement piece is seen in Yeprem’s new “You Play the Game” campaign, created for International Women’s Day.
MajorsMar 07, 2025
Borsheims Names New Senior Security and Facilities ManagerLongtime employee Kyle Slosson has been promoted to the role.
IndependentsMar 06, 2025
Wixon Jewelers to Close After 37 YearsFirst-generation jewelers Dan and Hope Wixon are retiring and will close their Minneapolis-area jewelry store in May.
CollectionsMar 06, 2025
Guzema, 3.1 Phillip Lim Collab on New ‘Snake’ DesignsThe limited-edition collection, a nod to the Year of the Snake, is Ukrainian brand Guzema’s first partnership with a U.S. brand.
