AuctionsOct 10, 2023
Barbara Walters’ Jewels Head to AuctionAuctionsNov 06, 2023
Audrey Hepburn’s ‘Roman Holiday’ Necklace Heads To Auction
The piece is estimated to sell for more than $20,000.
The pearl necklace Audrey Hepburn wore in “Roman Holiday” is going up for auction at Christie’s Geneva this month.
Geneva—Audrey Hepburn’s fine pearl collier worn in the final scene of the 1953 romantic comedy “Roman Holiday” will be up for auction at Christie’s upcoming Geneva sale.
The wide, choker-style necklace will be offered in the “Jewels Online: The Geneva Edit” sale, which started Friday and continues through Nov. 16.
It is estimated to sell for 18,000-26,000 CHF or $20,070 to $28,990.
Italian design house Fürst created the piece.
The Fürst family is Austro-Hungarian and its history in jewelry dates back to the 1850s, when Moric Fürst moved to Turin, a city in Northern Italy, to establish a business as a jeweler.
He later became a leading supplier for the Savoyard court.
Related stories will be right here …
The wide, choker-style necklace will be offered in the “Jewels Online: The Geneva Edit” sale, which started Friday and continues through Nov. 16.
It is estimated to sell for 18,000-26,000 CHF or $20,070 to $28,990.
Italian design house Fürst created the piece.
The Fürst family is Austro-Hungarian and its history in jewelry dates back to the 1850s, when Moric Fürst moved to Turin, a city in Northern Italy, to establish a business as a jeweler.
He later became a leading supplier for the Savoyard court.
Hepburn, born in 1929, had an affinity for pearls.
Throughout her life, the award-winning British actress and humanitarian wore single-strand pearl necklaces and pearl stud earrings, which became a signature part of her simple-yet-elegant style.
Her jewelry collection was the perfect embodiment of Hepburn’s well-known philosophy that, “elegance is the only beauty that never fades,” Christie’s said.
Roman Holiday, which co-starred Gregory Peck, is celebrated for its exquisite costume and jewelry designs as much as its storytelling.
Selected to enhance Hepburn’s natural charm and grace, the Fürst pearl necklace, along with other jewelry in Roman Holiday, adorned the actress with a feel of sophistication and glamour.
The piece showed the transformation her character, the young royal Princess Ann, makes from “regal opulence to carefree elegance,” Christie’s said.
Hepburn received the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film; it was her only Oscar win, though she was nominated a total of five times.
Off the screen, Hepburn served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and dedicated the latter part of her life to humanitarian work, traveling globally to advocate for children’s rights and emergency relief efforts.
She died of cancer at age 63 in 1993.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
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.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
Weekly QuizFeb 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsFeb 11, 2026
TJS Announces Roundtable, Launches New AppRegistration is now open for The Jewelry Symposium, set to take place in Detroit from May 16-19.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
At Meeting in South Africa, Support for Natural Diamonds Picks Up Steam Namibia has formally signed the Luanda Accord, while two key industry organizations pledged to join the Natural Diamond Council.
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.
TrendsFeb 10, 2026
Bad Bunny Wears Football-Shaped ‘Desert Diamond’ for Halftime PerformanceLady Gaga, Cardi B, and Karol G also went with diamond jewelry for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show honoring Puerto Rico.
SurveysFeb 10, 2026
Shoppers to Spend Big on Jewelry This Valentine’s Day, Says NRFJewelry is expected to be the No. 1 gift this year in terms of dollars spent.
FinancialsFeb 10, 2026
Kering Plans Transformation as 2025 Sales Sink 13%As star brand Gucci continues to struggle, the luxury titan plans to announce a new roadmap to return to growth.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
AGTA To Debut ‘Stuller Color of the Year’ Spectrum Awards CategoryThe new category asks entrants for “exceptional” interpretations of the supplier’s 2026 color of the year, which is “Signature Red.”
Policies & IssuesFeb 09, 2026
U.S., India Trade Deal One Step Closer to Being FinalizedThe White House issued an official statement on the deal, which will eliminate tariffs on loose natural diamonds and gemstones from India.
Events & AwardsFeb 09, 2026
JA Now Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsEntries for the jewelry design competition will be accepted through March 20.
IndependentsFeb 09, 2026
James Free Jewelers Unveils Revamped FlagshipThe Ohio jeweler’s new layout features a curated collection of brand boutiques to promote storytelling and host in-store events.
TrendsFeb 09, 2026
These 14 Jewels Will Melt Your Heart This Valentine’s DayFrom heart motifs to pink pearls, Valentine’s Day is filled with jewelry imbued with love.
CrimeFeb 06, 2026
Florida Man Sentenced After Selling Fake Native American Jewelry for a Decade Prosecutors say the man attended arts and craft fairs claiming he was a third-generation jeweler who was a member of the Pueblo tribe.
FinancialsFeb 06, 2026
Pandora’s North America GM Departs Amid Executive ChangesNew CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier shared her priorities for the Danish jewelry company this year as part of its fourth-quarter results.
TrendsFeb 06, 2026
Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi Wear Matching Cece Jewellery Signet RingsOur Piece of the Week picks are these bespoke rings the “Wuthering Heights” stars have been spotted wearing during the film’s press tour.
MajorsFeb 05, 2026
Pandora to Begin Selling Platinum-Plated JewelryThe introduction of platinum plating will reduce its reliance on silver amid volatile price swings, said Pandora.
SourcingFeb 05, 2026
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2026, Anglo Mulls Another WritedownIt would be the third impairment charge in three years on De Beers Group, which continues to grapple with a “challenging” diamond market.
IndependentsFeb 05, 2026
Borsheims to Undergo Massive Renovation in the Spring The Omaha jewelry store’s multi-million-dollar renovation is scheduled to begin in mid-May and take about six months.
CollectionsFeb 05, 2026
Marco Bicego’s Amethyst Collection Travels to a Purple ParadiseThe “Paradise Amethyst” collection focuses on amethyst, pink tourmaline, garnet, and 18-karat yellow gold beads.
FinancialsFeb 05, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Reports Strong Holiday Results in Q3The retailer credited its Roberto Coin campaign, in part, for boosting its North America sales.
ColumnistsFeb 04, 2026
January Jewelry Sales: More Dollars Spent, Fewer Units Sold Sherry Smith unpacks independent retailers’ January performance and gives tips for navigating the slow-growth year ahead.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
What Designers Should Know About Saks Global’s BankruptcyFrom how to get an invoice paid to getting merchandise returned, JVC’s Sara Yood answers some complex questions.
TrendsFeb 04, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: February Birthstone BlissAmethyst, the birthstone for February, is a gemstone to watch this year with its rich purple hue and affordable price point.
