CrimeJul 02, 2024
Theodore Roosevelt’s Stolen Watch Winds Its Way HomeCrimeAug 16, 2024
Jewels Stolen During Green Vault Heist Back on Display
Most of the 18th century royal jewelry taken from the Green Vault Museum in Dresden, Germany, in 2019 went back on display this week.
Visitors to the Green Vault Museum in Dresden, Germany, can now view the recovered jewelry that was stolen from the museum in a November 2019 heist. (© State Art Collections Dresden, Photo: David Pinzer)
Dresden, Germany—Most of the 18th century royal jewelry stolen from the Green Vault Museum in Dresden, Germany, during a November 2019 heist is now back on display.
German authorities recovered almost all the jewelry in 2022, though a few pieces are still missing, including a large jeweled bustle bow that belonged to Queen Amalie Auguste of Bavaria and an epaulet set with the “Saxon White” diamond.
“We are very grateful to the Dresden Regional Court for approving the relocation of the jewels to their original location,” Marion Ackermann, director general of the Dresden State Art Collections, said in a statement translated from German.
“However, they will remain secured for judicial appraisal. The reinstallation of the display case now allows the citizens of Saxony and all interested visitors to experience the Green Vault again in almost all its glory.”
German authorities recovered almost all the jewelry in 2022, though a few pieces are still missing, including a large jeweled bustle bow that belonged to Queen Amalie Auguste of Bavaria and an epaulet set with the “Saxon White” diamond.
“We are very grateful to the Dresden Regional Court for approving the relocation of the jewels to their original location,” Marion Ackermann, director general of the Dresden State Art Collections, said in a statement translated from German.
“However, they will remain secured for judicial appraisal. The reinstallation of the display case now allows the citizens of Saxony and all interested visitors to experience the Green Vault again in almost all its glory.”
The museum is welcoming visitors back to see the recovered jewelry. (© State Art Collections Dresden, Photo: David Pinzer)
The jewels need some restoration, according to museum officials. (© State Art Collections Dresden, Photo: David Pinzer)
The jewels were returned with some “barely visible” damage, said Ackermann, and need to be repaired.
“The returned pieces are major artistic works of Saxon and international jewelry art of the 18th century. We assume that, in principle, all damage can be restored. An international commission of experts will meet for this purpose after the jewels have been released,” she said.
In May 2023, a German court convicted five men of breaking into the museum and stealing jewels with an insured value of at least $135 million.
Throughout the investigation, museum officials said the jewels were priceless in terms of their historical and cultural value and hoped for their return.
The men were all members of the Berlin-based Remmo organized crime family, according to German news agency DPA.
The men, ages 24 to 29 at the time, were sentenced to between 4 and 6 years in prison. A sixth suspect was acquitted.
The sentences were handed down as part of a plea bargain, following the retrieval of some of the stolen jewels in late 2022.
Local police said at the time that they found 31 jewels in Berlin and most of the pieces were intact.
“Of course, we have not given up hope of being able to exhibit the remaining jewels here in the Green Vault one day,” said Ackermann.
“We cannot undo the break-in, but we can ensure that it cannot happen again,” she said, noting the museum’s security architecture has been reviewed and it is coordinating with the relevant authorities.
The museum is inviting the public to come see the recovered jewels, offering extended opening hours and a limited number of free tickets on its website.
In a post on X, Saxony Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer said it was a good day for Saxony.
Heute ist ein guter Tag für #Sachsen. 2019 haben kriminelle Clans aus Berlin sich unser #kulturelles #Erbe zu eignen gemacht. Doch wir haben für unseren Schatz gekämpft! Dank der unermüdlichen Arbeit von #Polizei, #Justiz und Politik konnte ein großer Teil der Schmuckstücke… pic.twitter.com/c0pjb8NOCq
— Michael Kretschmer (@MPKretschmer) August 13, 2024
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, is comprised of 4,000 jewels, objets d’art, and other historically significant items, including the 41-carat “Dresden Green” diamond.
His treasury, on display in Dresden’s Royal Palace, is comprised of 4,000 jewels, objets d’art, and other historically significant items, including the 41-carat “Dresden Green” diamond.
More on Crime
The Latest
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a WrapWrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.
Weekly QuizAug 22, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry EmpireThree C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 StoresThe retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Pops Up at 2025 US OpenThe pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.
IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes OffThe New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster RestorationThe new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2025
Take the Jewelers for Children ‘Trinity of Purpose’ ChallengeParticipants who attend any three Rings of Strength events will be awarded a special medal.
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner LucapaThe investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry RetailSmith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally RecognizedThe MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division ManagerCasio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on PointOriginally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the YearAllison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
