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.
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
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.
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.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
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.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
