CrimeDec 01, 2025
Fourth Man Charged in Louvre Jewelry HeistCrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé Pendant
The special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
Police recovered this Fabergé pendant after a New Zealand man allegedly swallowed it in an Auckland jewelry store. (Photo courtesy of New Zealand police)
Auckland—A New Zealand man has reportedly pleaded not guilty to a number of charges after allegedly swallowing a special-edition Fabergé pendant in an Auckland jewelry store.
On the afternoon of Nov. 28, police were called to Partridge Jewellers after the 32-year-old picked up the pendant, put it in his mouth, and then swallowed it, according to a statement Inspector Grae Anderson, Auckland Central Area commander, shared with National Jeweler.
The suspect also ingested the pendant’s approximately 20-inch 18-karat gold chain with the tag attached.
Auckland police responded within minutes and arrested the man.
The pendant emerged on Dec. 4 following a six-day wait, according to New Zealand Police.
At a court appearance on Dec. 8, the man, whose name has not been shared, entered a plea of not guilty in the case, as per a local report.
His next appearance in Auckland District Court is set for Feb. 17, police said.
Related stories will be right here …
On the afternoon of Nov. 28, police were called to Partridge Jewellers after the 32-year-old picked up the pendant, put it in his mouth, and then swallowed it, according to a statement Inspector Grae Anderson, Auckland Central Area commander, shared with National Jeweler.
The suspect also ingested the pendant’s approximately 20-inch 18-karat gold chain with the tag attached.
Auckland police responded within minutes and arrested the man.
The pendant emerged on Dec. 4 following a six-day wait, according to New Zealand Police.
At a court appearance on Dec. 8, the man, whose name has not been shared, entered a plea of not guilty in the case, as per a local report.
His next appearance in Auckland District Court is set for Feb. 17, police said.
The necklace he swallowed was a “Fabergé x 007 Octopussy Egg Surprise” locket.
It’s listed as retailing for $16,500 on the Fabergé website, though news reports put the locket’s value at 33,585 New Zealand dollars, or about $19,400.
The piece is crafted in 18-karat yellow gold with green guilloché enamel, set with 60 white diamonds and 15 blue sapphires, suspended on a yellow gold chain.
The egg opens to reveal a golden octopus inside with two black diamond eyes.
The piece was inspired by the 1983 film “Octopussy” in which James Bond must solve the murder of a spy found dead in East Germany clutching a fake Fabergé egg that’s similar to the one created for the limited-edition necklace.
In a statement to local news, Partridge Jewellers said the recovered necklace will be returned to Fabergé.
A similar steal-and-swallow crime took place earlier this year in the United States.
In March, a man in Florida allegedly stole almost $800,000 worth of diamond jewelry from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando and then ate it during a traffic stop.
The two pairs of earrings were later recovered.
More on Crime
The Latest
AuctionsNov 13, 2026
Historic ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Achieves $4.9M at Sotheby’sThe 197-carat Russian Crown jewel was the leading lot of Sotheby's white-glove Royal & Noble Jewels sale this week.
CollectionsNov 13, 2026
Maison Marcelle’s Bracelet Flows Like FabricThe “Équation” bracelet, our Piece of the Week, was built via 24 gold modules assembled into a piece that feels like fabric on the wrist.
IndependentsNov 13, 2026
Texas Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsAlter’s Gem Jewelry in Beaumont, Texas, is closing as Brian and Lori Alter retire to spend more time with family.
Brought to you by
DSF Antique Jewelry: Fine Jewelry, Signed Designers, and a World of Rare DiscoveriesWith over 50 years experience in the trade, DSF Antique Jewelry offers quality, craftsmanship, condition, and remarkable variety.
Events & AwardsNov 13, 2026
Tiffany & Co., CFDA Unveil Second Jewelry Designer Award Finalists Five finalists have been chosen for the Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award’s second cycle.
Weekly QuizNov 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsNov 12, 2026
24-Carat ‘Bulgari Pink’ Diamond Sells for $14.8MUnseen for more than seven decades, the fancy intense pink diamond was the star of Christie’s Geneva jewelry auction.
WatchesNov 12, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Now Offers Certified Pre-Owned Rolex WatchesThe curated selection is available online and at its showroom in Austin, Texas.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
IndependentsNov 12, 2026
Greenberg’s Jewelers Welcomes New Fourth-Generation MembersThe next generation understands what makes the 126-year-old retailer special, said CEO and Co-President Elise Greenberg.
Lab-GrownNov 10, 2026
GIA Examines Pink Lab-Grown Diamond Made to Look NaturalThe 6-carat CVD-grown pink diamond was “deliberately modified” to mimic the appearance of a natural rough diamond, the lab said.
SourcingNov 10, 2026
Botswana in Line to Take Controlling Stake in De Beers, President Says If the Global Diamond Consortium emerges as the top bidder for De Beers, Botswana’s stake will double to 30 percent, Duma Boko said Monday.
ColumnistsNov 10, 2026
Who Checks the Facts When AI Writes Your Jewelry Copy?An incorrect AI-generated ad or product description can cost your store valuable consumer trust.
Events & AwardsNov 09, 2026
Here Are the 2027 Gem Award NomineesThese nine individuals and brands are up for a Gem Award in the Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation categories.
GradingNov 09, 2026
GIA Acquires Thousands of Gem Specimens With ‘Extraordinary’ InclusionsGIA Analytical Microscopist John Koivula curated the collection of 2,665 crystals, gems, and minerals over a 60-year span.
CollectionsNov 09, 2026
Bibi van der Velden’s Alligators Become High JewelryThe “Eclipse” collection, the brand’s first high jewelry line, centers its alligator motif in diamond and spinel jewels.
EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
