CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
AuctionsApr 23, 2019
Emerald with Ties to Catherine the Great Headed to Christie’s
The 76-carat gemstone is headlining the auction house’s Magnificent Jewels Geneva sale next month.
This emerald originally belonged to Catherine the Great of Russia and was passed down through the Russian imperial family for over 100 years.
Geneva—Emerald is the birthstone for the month of May and, fittingly, next month an emerald with a spectacular provenance will be available at Christie’s.
Headlining Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva this May is an emerald and diamond sautoir, the origin of which can be traced to Catherine the Great of Russia.
According to Christie’s, the emerald was a part of Russia’s imperial jewelry collection for over 100 years, though not in its current form.
The 75.61-carat pear shaped Colombian stone was once a 107.67-carat rectangular-shaped emerald. Its first known owner was Catherine the Great, who possessed the stone at some point in her lifetime until her death in 1796, when it began making its way through the royal family. 
In 1874, Alexander II gave the emerald to his son Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia’s new wife, Grand Duchess Vladimir, born Duchess Marie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
The Grand Duchess Vladimir is believed to have been in possession of one of the largest private jewelry collections of the early 20th century. She was born in 1854 and died in 1920, when her collection was dispersed among her children.
Her son, the Grand Duke Boris, received all of the Grand Duchess Vladimir’s emeralds, including the 107.67-carat emerald, which he sold to Cartier in 1927.
It was Cartier that mounted the stone into a diamond pendant and hung it from a diamond necklace that famous gemstone dealer and lapidary Raphael Esmerian had acquired from the Payne Whitney family.
RELATED CONTENT: Aquamarine Fabergé Tiara Heads to AuctionBased on Esmerian’s advice, Cartier re-cut the stone to its current 75.61-carat pear shape in 1954 to improve its clarity, before re-mounting it into a diamond pendant setting and again stringing it from the Payne Whitney diamond necklace, which it lengthened.
John D. Rockefeller Jr. purchased the finished piece of jewelry that year, and it later re-surfaced at auction in Switzerland in 1971, when Esmerian acquired the piece for CHF 430,000.
Now, the emerald has re-emerged on the auction scene from a family’s private collection, with a new and more contemporary diamond setting.
The Imperial Emerald of Grand Duchess Vladimir is
expected to fetch between $2.3 and $3.5 million at the Magnificent Jewels sale, taking place May 15 at Geneva’s Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, with viewings held May 10-15.
More on Auctions
The Latest
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
Weekly QuizJun 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board LeaderIndustry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.
Events & AwardsJun 11, 2025
Kering Announces Winners of Sustainability-Focused AwardThe winners of the inaugural “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” are student Lee Min Seo and China-based startup Ianyan.
SourcingJun 10, 2025
De Beers Turns to Brown, Yellow Diamonds for New ‘Beacon’“Ombré Desert Diamonds” will emphasize cream-, champagne-, and brown-colored diamonds, shades that set natural stones apart from lab grown.
AuctionsJun 10, 2025
Noonans to Auction 16th-Century Signet RingIt's one of the “Gresham grasshopper” rings English financier Sir Thomas Gresham was known to gift to acquaintances or business associates.
CollectionsJun 10, 2025
Tabayer Names Mary Chiam as CEOThe brand also debuted its new “Zorae” collection featuring a talisman of protection and harmony inspired by a sheaf of wheat.
MajorsJun 10, 2025
Lauren Johansen Joins Loudr As Loudr’s new account manager, Johansen will partner with clients to craft and execute marketing strategies.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
And the Winners of the 2025 Couture Design Awards Are … Designers were recognized in 12 categories, from platinum to pearls, before the evening ended with a new, retail-focused award.
AuctionsJun 09, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Sells for $1.2MThe rare turquoise and diamond jewel was the top lot at Bonhams’ June jewelry sale.
IndependentsJun 09, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
MajorsJun 09, 2025
RDI Diamonds Partners With LavalierThe diamond wholesaler is working with the insurance provider to seamlessly offer personal jewelry insurance to RDI retailers’ clients.
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
