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.
EditorsApr 19, 2010
The emperor's old diamond
I made another trip to Christie's on Friday, this time to get a first-hand look at two historic gems: The Emperor Maximilian Diamond and the Catherine the Great Brooch. I enjoyed my afternoon just as much as I did my...
I made another trip to Christie's on Friday, this time to get a first-hand look at two historic gems: The Emperor Maximilian Diamond and the Catherine the Great Brooch.
I enjoyed my afternoon just as much as I did my last trip to Christie’s, when I got a look at the unbelievable 32.01-carat Annenberg Diamond, which later sold for $7.7 million, well surpassing estimates.
Like so many of the gems that end up on an auction block, the 39.55-carat Emperor diamond has an intriguing past. 
The stone, according to a history provided by Christie’s, is one of two large diamonds the Archduke Maximilian acquired in Brazil in 1860, before he was named Emperor of Mexico at the urging of Napoleon III.
In 1866, Napoleon III, under pressure from the United States, withdrew his support of Maximilian, effectively abandoning the leader in Mexico.
He was later captured, court-martialed and sent before a firing squad and, as legend has it, he was wearing the Emperor diamond in a pouch around his neck when he executed.
The diamond made its way back across the Atlantic to his wife, Princess Charlotte of Belgium, who sold the stone.
For about 30 years, the diamond’s whereabouts remained unknown, not resurfacing until 1919, when a Chicago gem dealer purchased the stone and held on to it until 1946.
The cushion-shaped Emperor diamond was auctioned at Christie’s in July 1982, where Laurence Graff (surprise, surprise) bought it for $726,000.
In 1983, Graff sold the stone along with two other important diamonds to none other than shoe-queen Imelda Marcos, the widow of former Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos.
Subsequent private transactions followed, until the stone ended up in the hands of its undisclosed current owner.
Friday at Christie’s was the first time the Emperor diamond had been on display to the public since 1982.
As the staff at Christie’s told reporters, the stone is believed to be a Golconda diamond (scroll down for a Christie’s explainer on Golconda diamonds) — but that cannot be proven conclusively. Golcondas are absolutely exquisite stones, though, and would be my stone of choice if money were no object.
While many of the stones that end up on the auction block at places like Christie’s and Sotheby’s are top-notch Ds or Es, the Emperor diamond is actually only an I-color stone.
The stone’s strong blue fluorescence actually makes it look a few color grades better and,
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
besides, there’s no denying this is one stone with a rich history.
The Emperor Maximilian Diamond, along with the Catherine the Great Brooch, will be two of the jewels up on the auction block on Thursday, as Christie’s New York holds its first major jewelry sale of the year.
Both are estimated to fetch between $1 million and $1.5 million.
The Emperor Maximilian Diamond, along with the Catherine the Great Brooch, will be two of the jewels up on the auction block on Thursday, as Christie’s New York holds its first major jewelry sale of the year.
Both are estimated to fetch between $1 million and $1.5 million.
More on Editors
The Latest
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.
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.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
