Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
AuctionsNov 10, 2020
This Locket From Queen Victoria Sold for Well Above Its Pre-Sale Estimate
It was offered at auctioneer Cheffins alongside other items Queen Victoria gifted to her goddaughters.
This gold, diamond, emerald and ruby locket Queen Victoria gave to her goddaughter Lady Victoria Scott on occasion of her wedding in 1865 more than tripled the high end of its pre-sale estimate at auctioneer Cheffins this month.
Cambridge, U.K.—Gifts from Queen Victoria to two of her goddaughters hit the auction block this month.
Part of Cambridge, England auctioneer Cheffins’ “Jewellery, Silver and Watches” sale, the most buzzed about item was a gold locket Queen Victoria gave to her goddaughter Lady Victoria Scott.
Monogrammed with “VR” on the front and featuring a personal engraving reading, “To Lady Victoria Scott, on her marriage Feb y, 23 1865 from Victoria R.” Queen Victoria gave the locket on occasion of her goddaughter’s marriage to Schomberg Henry Kerr, 9th Marquess of Lothian.
The gold locket is set with diamonds, emeralds and rubies and was estimated to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000 (about $3,971 to $6,618 at current exchange rates).
It went for six times the low end of that estimate when it garnered £18,000, or $23,824, selling to a Chinese telephone bidder.
The pearl and diamond convertible brooch/pendant with original fitted case is engraved: “To Lady Victoria Alexandrina Alberta Kerr from her Godmother VICTORIA R 11 December 1876.”
The jewel was accompanied by a cased portrait miniature of the child and original letters from Queen Victoria and Lady Victoria Scott, as seen in the picture just above.
The lot fetched £8,000 ($10,589), double the low estimate of £4,000 ($5,294).
Other sale highlights were a portrait miniature of Charlotte Thynne, Duchess of Buccleuch, by artist, Robert Thorburn, which sold for £2400 ($3,177), though originally only estimated to earn between £600 and £800 ($794 and $1,059), and an amber snuff box that was another gift from Queen Victoria to one of her direct descendants, which sold for £3,200 ($4,235).
Cheffins Head of Jewelry, Silver and Watches, Steven Collins, said: “Any jewelry with royal connections is always an exciting find when it surfaces on the art market and these pieces come with cast-iron provenance from direct descent of the family.
“The result achieved for the locket gifted to Lady Victoria Scott was over and above expectations, with competitive bidding on multiple phone lines and online from interested parties from across the globe.”
Full sale results are online.
More on Auctions
The Latest
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New AmbassadorThe 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry HallThe West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.
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.
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-NegativeThis past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.
Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From YepremThe brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in BurglariesJSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.
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.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast FlagshipLocated on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan FlagshipThe new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New CampaignThe online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive DirectorShe will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry NetworkWorking with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for RelaunchThe jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship ProgramThe company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report SaysThe jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot RubiesWelcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry SalesThe best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education ScholarshipThis year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
