Sotheby’s To Offer 18th-Century Diamond Necklace, a ‘Sublime Survivor’
The jewel, which was worn to two British coronations and may contain diamonds tied to Marie Antoinette, could sell for almost $3 million.

London—The star of Sotheby’s upcoming jewelry auction is a rare 18th-century diamond necklace that hasn’t been seen in public in five decades and may have a connection to Marie Antoinette’s undoing.
The Georgian-era piece is composed of three rows of diamonds totaling approximately 300 carats, with a diamond tassel at each end.
Making its debut at auction from a private collection in Asia, the necklace is estimated to sell for 1.6 million to 2.4 million CHF ($1.8 million to $2.8 million).
While its exact origin story is not known, Sotheby’s said the piece likely was created in the decade preceding the French Revolution, which took place from 1789-1799.
The auction house has described the piece as one of the rarest and most historically important diamond necklaces ever to come to auction, having remained “miraculously intact” since its creation more than two centuries ago.
The necklace could only have been created for royalty or a high-ranking aristocrat at a court of the Ancien régime, most likely the French or English court, Sotheby’s said.
It once belonged to the Marquesses of Anglesey, a leading Anglo-Welsh aristocratic family with close ties to the British Royal family in the early 20th century, and it has been worn to at least two British coronations.
Marjorie Paget, Marchioness of Anglesey—eldest daughter of Henry Manners, eighth Duke of Rutland, and wife of the sixth Marquess of Anglesey—wore the necklace to the coronation of King George VI in 1937, along with the famous Anglesey tiara.

In 1953, her daughter-in-law, the seventh Marquess of Anglesey, wore the same suite of jewels to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

She parted with the piece sometime in the 1960s, Sotheby’s said.
In 1976, it was exhibited in the Bicentennial Exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History in New York before being acquired by the private collector who has owned it ever since.
Jewels from the Georgian era (1714-1830s) are characterized by opulence and versatility, exemplified in the diamond necklace, also known as a négligée, which can be worn around the neck with the tassels hanging or tied in a simple knot.
The diamonds in this particular piece are all old mine brilliant cuts, each weighing 1 to 1.5 carats, and likely were sourced from the Golconda mines in India.
Golconda diamonds, found in the 4th century B.C., were the first diamonds in the world to be discovered.

Though India’s famed diamond mines ran dry nearly 200 years ago, Sotheby’s said Golconda diamonds are still considered to be the “purest and most dazzling” diamonds ever mined.
Some of the diamonds in the piece, according to the auction house, may have come from the famous necklace at the center of the “Affair of the Necklace” scandal (pictured below), which led to the rise of the French revolution and, eventually, Marie Antoinette’s execution in 1793.
Embed from Getty Images
“This rare and important diamond jewel is a sublime survivor from the opulent court life of the Georgian era, defined by its unrivalled pomp and splendor; it is arguably one of the most magnificent and intact Georgian jewels in private hands,” said Andres White Correal, Sotheby’s chairman and head of noble jewels for Europe and the Middle East.
“When compared to other surviving imperial and royal jewels from the same period, this necklace stands head and shoulders above these examples; it is a fortune in diamonds, and also a masterclass in exquisite design, workmanship and technical innovation for the period.”
Correal added, “The jewel is as relevant, alluring, and appealing today as when it was made over two centuries ago. It is the nec plus ultra of 18th-century jewelry design.”
Prior to the auction in November, the necklace will go on a global tour.
It will begin with a public exhibition at Sotheby’s New Bond Street in London from Sept. 24-25, followed by Sotheby’s Maison in Hong Kong (Oct. 3-5); Sotheby’s New York (Oct. 9-10); Singapore’s Conrad Singapore Orchard Hotel (Oct. 18-19); the Hua Nan Bank International Convention Centre in Taipei (Oct. 21-22); and Sotheby’s Dubai (Oct. 28-30).
Sotheby’s Royal and Noble Jewels sale will take place live on Nov. 13 at Geneva’s Mandarin Oriental, while online bidding will begin Oct. 25.
The auction house’s Magnificent Jewels sale is also scheduled for Nov. 13.
The Latest

“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.

Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.

Designer Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.

Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.

The company said it expects sightholders to remain “cautious” with their purchasing due to all the unknowns around the U.S. tariffs.


Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Simon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.

The risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

The company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.

The organization also announced its board of directors.

Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.