Auctions

18th-Century Diamond Necklace Sells for Nearly $5M

AuctionsNov 14, 2024

18th-Century Diamond Necklace Sells for Nearly $5M

Sotheby’s sold the necklace, which potentially has ties to Marie-Antoinette, for $4.8 million to a woman bidding via phone.

18th century diamond necklace
The necklace is known as a négligée and can be worn looped over into a simple knot, as shown in the first picture, or draped over the neck, with one side sitting higher than the other, as shown here.
View Slideshow
Geneva—After a seven-minute back-and-forth, a woman bidding over the phone won the battle for a négligée-style diamond necklace that is more than 200 years old.

The necklace, the crown jewel of Sotheby’s “Royal and Noble Jewels” sale held Wednesday in Geneva, sold for $4.8 million to the woman, identified only as an “international private collector.”

Its pre-sale estimate was $1.8 million to $2.8 million. 

The necklace, which contains more than 500 collet-set old cushion-shaped and circular-cut diamonds, was made sometime in the decade before the French Revolution—so, between the years 1779 and 1789—Sotheby’s has estimated.

The exact origin of the diamonds, which total more than 300 carats, is unknown. 

They are believed to be Golconda diamonds from the famed mines in India of the same name.

They also could be diamonds from the “Affair of the Necklace” necklace, the piece that caused a scandal and further damaged Marie-Antoinette’s reputation and the standing of the French monarchy in the eyes of the public.  

The famed “Affair” necklace was broken up and sold in London, and its diamonds would have been on the market around the time this approximately 300-carat necklace was made, likely for royalty or a high-ranking aristocrat of either the French or English court. 

What is known about this piece, Sotheby’s said, is that it once belonged to the Marquesses of Anglesey, an aristocratic family with close ties to the British Royal family in the early 20th century.

The diamond necklace has been worn to at least two British coronations.

Marjorie Paget, Marchioness of Anglesey, donned the piece for the coronation of King George VI in 1937, pairing it with the Anglesey tiara.

Marjorie Paget wearing 18th century diamond necklace
Marjorie Paget, the Marchioness of Anglesey, in her coronation robes and diamond jewelry at the coronation of King George VI, photographed by Cecil Beaton in 1937 (Photo courtesy of Condé Nast Archive)


Less than two decades later, in 1953, her daughter-in-law, the seventh Marquess of Anglesey, wore the same suite of jewels to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Sotheby’s said the seventh Marquess of Anglesey parted with the piece sometime in the 1960s.

It went on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York in 1976 as part of the museum’s Bicentennial Exhibition before being acquired by a private collector in Asia, who has owned it until now.

When Sotheby’s announced earlier this fall that it would be offering the 18th-century necklace at auction, it marked the first time the piece had been seen in public in 50 years.

 Related stories will be right here … 

Sotheby’s “Royal and Noble Jewels” auction was a “white-glove sale,” meaning all the lots were sold, and 83 percent of the lots exceeded their high estimates.

The auction house held the sale in conjunction with “Magnificent Jewels” Wednesday in Geneva, with both sales totaling $30.7 million.

Sotheby’s said this “Royal and Noble Jewels” sale was the first in the auction category to include lots from various owners.

The offering of the 18th-century necklace took place alongside the single-owner sale “A Tsar’s Treasure: Ferdinand of Bulgaria (1861-1948).”

More details about the results of that sale will be covered in a separate article.
 
“The extraordinary results of today’s sale represent Sotheby’s ‘Royal and Noble Jewels’ sales at their apex. With yet another white-glove auction, these sales demonstrate the lasting power of provenance,” said Andres White Correal, Sotheby’s chairman of jewelry in Europe and the Middle East and head of Noble Jewels. 

He continued, “Meticulously collected over generations, ‘A Tsar’s Treasure’ provided an intimate glimpse into one of Central Europe’s most important royal families, and one of the greatest jewelry collectors of the 19th and 20th centuries.

“While there were innumerable results worth celebrating, as a career highlight, the Anglesey jewel stands sans pareil. From the moment we laid eyes on it, our entire team was transfixed by its beauty, its history, and its timelessness. The electricity in the sales room was palpable, and it will be one of my fondest memories to have been on the phone, helping to find its new home.” 

The Latest

Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Window
MajorsNov 14, 2024
Saks Fifth Avenue Cancels Holiday Light Display

Instead of its usual elaborate display, the store will illuminate its façade and frame the windows to highlight its flagship’s architecture.

Grand Seiko store in Honolulu Hawaii
WatchesNov 14, 2024
Grand Seiko Partners With Ben Bridge on First Hawaii Store

The new Grand Seiko boutique is located in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood.

Travelers on Gem Legacy Adventures Trip
SourcingNov 13, 2024
Gem Legacy Adventures Announces 2025 Trip

Eleven spots are available for travelers to visit Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya from July 25 to Aug. 4.

Jewelers Mutual Group Cybersecurity
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for Jewelers

From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.

Ariana Grande and Anya Taylor-Joy
MajorsNov 13, 2024
Ariana Grande, Anya Taylor-Joy Star in Holiday Jewelry Campaigns

From Swarovski to Tiffany & Co., jewelry retailers are enlisting celebrities to highlight their holiday offerings.

Weekly QuizNov 14, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
2024-2025 Royal Chain Catalog
MajorsNov 13, 2024
Royal Chain’s New Catalog Is Out Now

The 2024-2025 book introduces hundreds of new designs.

Vhernier Calla necklace
FinancialsNov 12, 2024
Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels Continue to Shine for Richemont

Richemont’s jewelry sales ticked up 2 percent in the first half of the year, while watch sales plummeted 17 percent.

Article-Top-Image.jpg
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYC

This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.

The Gemological Institute of America’s logo
GradingNov 12, 2024
GIA’s Next-Day Services Return for the Holidays

Offered by the lab since 2016, the holiday season special is good from now through mid-December.

Model wearing Mikimoto Chrome Hearts Exclusive Pearl Necklace
CollectionsNov 12, 2024
Mikimoto and Chrome Hearts Blend Aesthetics in New Collaboration

The “Mikimoto Chrome Hearts” jewelry brings pearls from Mikimoto together with distinctive motifs from Chrome Hearts.

Larkspur & Hawk Lily Tapestry Earrings
CollectionsNov 08, 2024
Piece of the Week: Larkspur & Hawk’s ‘Tapestry Lily’ Earrings

These earrings use flat-backed white quartz to create a window onto an antique ribbon embroidered with a floral design.

AGTA Spectrum winners
Events & AwardsNov 08, 2024
AGTA Reveals Spectrum, Cutting Edge Award Winners for 2024

This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards included a new category for engagement rings and a new award highlighting female designers.

Brilliant Earth Jane Goodall jewelry
FinancialsNov 08, 2024
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Fall 13%

Plus, CEO Beth Gerstein shares her insight on the holiday season and the possibility of new tariffs.

Aurelia Demark London blue topaz bow earrings
TrendsNov 07, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Golden and Blue November Hues

The month’s birthstones, citrine and blue topaz, reflect the changing colors of the season.

Jewelry designer Sidney Garber and ceramicist Carey Lowell
CollectionsNov 07, 2024
Sidney Garber Collaborates With Carey Lowell on Capsule Collection

The “Carey Lowell x Sidney Garber” collection stems from the friendship between the jewelry designer and ceramicist.

Ritani holiday ad campaign still image
MajorsNov 07, 2024
Ritani Debuts ‘No-Fuss’ Holiday TV Campaign

The two ads highlight diamond engagement rings and diamond studs with a straightforward approach.

American India Foundation
Policies & IssuesNov 07, 2024
Diamonds Do Good To Distribute $250K+ In Grants Next Year

In 2025, the nonprofit plans to continue its support of longstanding partners while also allocating some funds to a new initiative.

Alfred ‘Al’ Giddings Rolex Submariner watches Titanic
AuctionsNov 06, 2024
Two Rolexes With Ties to Titanic Head to Auction

The Rolex watches are from the collection of “Titanic” co-producer Alfred “Al” Giddings and will go up for sale at Sotheby’s next month.

Pandora cuban link bracelet
FinancialsNov 06, 2024
Pandora Posts Double-Digit Revenue Growth in Q3

The Danish jewelry company plans to open up to 150 concept stores this fiscal year.

Gemological Institute of America logo
GradingNov 06, 2024
GIA to Close Lab in Ramat Gan, Israel

The location will close by the end of the year due to it being financially unsustainable, GIA said.

Iris Law and Hero Fiennes in Moments of Joy campaign
MajorsNov 06, 2024
David Yurman’s Holiday Campaign Celebrates ‘Moments of Joy’

The new campaign stars Sterling K. Brown, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Winnie Harlow, Kyle Kuzma, Arizona Muse, and Iris Law.

Jacquie Aiche Lizzie Bracelet
CollectionsNov 05, 2024
Jacquie Aiche is Hosting an Online Treasure Hunt

One lucky winner will receive a “Lizzie” diamond bracelet.

Samantha Larson
IndependentsNov 05, 2024
Long's Jewelers Names New Director of Buying

Samantha Larson has joined the Boston-based retailer.

Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program logo
Events & AwardsNov 05, 2024
JA, BIJC Now Accepting EJAP Applications for 2025

The Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program will guide retail jewelry entrepreneurs through an eight-month educational curriculum.

Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award
Events & AwardsNov 05, 2024
Tiffany & Co., CDFA Announce Design Award Finalists

Ten chosen designers will receive mentorship and participate in a design contest for the Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award.

Dana J. Lorberg
MajorsNov 04, 2024
Jewelers Mutual Appoints Mastercard Exec to Its Board

Dana J. Lorberg brings 35 years of experience in finance, technology, and strategy to the role.

FBI robbery surveillance photo
CrimeNov 04, 2024
FBI Offering $15K Reward for Info on Halloween Mask-Wearing Robbers

The suspects are said to have been involved in the armed robberies of four jewelry stores across three Midwest states.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy