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.
AuctionsApr 05, 2019
Aquamarine Fabergé Tiara Heads to Auction
A gift from a grand duke to his bride in 1904, the aquamarine and diamond piece could sell for up to $340,000 at Christie’s Geneva May 15.
A grand duke commissioned this royal tiara, comprised of nine graduated pear-shaped aquamarines and old, cushion and rose-cut diamonds, from Fabergé in 1904.
Geneva—A historic Fabergé tiara given by the regent of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in northern Germany to his bride in the early 1900s is heading to auction for the first time next month.
Made in 1904 as a wedding gift from Frederick Francis IV, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1882-1945), to Princess Alexandra of Hanover and Cumberland (1882-1963), the piece is comprised of nine graduated pear-shaped aquamarines and old, cushion and rose-cut diamonds.
It will make its auction debut more than a century after its creation at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva on May 15, where it’s expected to sell for between $230,000 and $340,000.
The tiara features forget-me-not flowers tied with ribbon bows, symbolizing true and eternal love, Christie’s said. They are being pierced by arrows representing cupid, an icon of endearment, attraction and affection.
According to the auction house, the Grand Duke’s mother, Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia, was a renowned collector of Fabergé pieces and encouraged him to order the wedding present for his bride at the jeweler’s atelier in St. Petersburg.
Archives show correspondence then between the Grand Ducal Cabinet of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Eugène Fabergé deliberating on the commission of an important jewel.
One of the letters dated May 10, 1904—less than a month before the wedding—offered possibilities of what the storied jeweler could offer: a diamond tiara for 10,000 roubles or an aquamarine and diamond tiara for 7,500 roubles. Using only aquamarines in the tiara, it added, wasn’t an option.
Another letter referred to design drawings proposed by Fabergé for the top section of the tiara, which had been sent to the Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna for her son’s approval.
These drawings went missing, though, and Fabergé said he had no copies for himself and didn’t know which design the Grand Duke had preferred.
With only two weeks left until the wedding, he wrote to the Grand Ducal Cabinet, saying he had not yet received any instructions on how to proceed. He asked, for a second time, for the return of the drawings so he could continue his work.
The responding letter, though, noted completion in time for the wedding on June 7, as the Grand Duke requested.
But even for a royal piece, Fabergé’s response was simple: it was impossible to execute in such a short time.
On her wedding day, Princess Alexandra ended up wearing the traditional Hanoverian nuptial crown set with diamonds that had been
in her family for more than a century, commissioned in 1761 for King George III of England’s wedding to Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
The aquamarine and diamond Fabergé tiara from her husband would follow later.
The aquamarine and diamond Fabergé tiara from her husband would follow later.
More on Auctions
The Latest
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.
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.”
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.
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.
Weekly QuizAug 22, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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 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.”
CrimeAug 20, 2025
Another CA Jewelry Store Rammed With Car, RobbedThe latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.
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.
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ EarringsThe counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.
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.
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.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
