SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TrendsDec 22, 2016
Love, Death and Intrigue, from the Christie’s Archives
A new book, Christie’s: The Jewellery Archives Revealed, tells the stories behind the auction house’s most iconic sales.
This tiara is featured on the cover of “Christie’s: The Jewellery Archives Revealed." Called the Cambridge Lover’s Knot, the tiara was created at the beginning of the nineteenth century, possibly in Germany, for Princess Augusta of Hesse Cassel, Duchess of Cambridge. (Christie’s Geneva)
New York--“This is the story of Christie’s and its 250 years as the world’s leading auction house, written in jewels, the most fascinating language of all,” says François Curiel, chairman of Christie’s Asia-Pacific, in the foreword to Christie’s: The Jewellery Archives Revealed, out this month.
True to this statement, the book’s author Vincent Meylan illuminates the lives of the original owners of the jewels that passed through, and ultimately helped to define, the auction house.
As the cliché dictates, Meylan’s well-researched histories illustrate how life can be stranger than fiction.
Take the Madam La Comtesse du Barry, an official mistress of Louis XV who amassed a fortune of jewelry from the king. During the French Revolution and after the king’s death, when the Comtesse was again referred to by her birth name, Jeanne Bécu, she was robbed of a large amount of jewelry.
She lost “30 or so rings with inserts of sapphires, emeralds and large diamonds,” as well as “64 loose diamonds,” among many other jewels, which totaled $1.5 million livres (the French currency of the day).
Bécu made a public fuss of the robbery, advertising a reward for the jewels’ safe return.
To flaunt wealth during the French Revolution, however, was to paint a target on one’s back.
News emerged of thieves in London who were trying to sell jewelry that matched the description of Bécu’s stolen jewels. Becu traveled back and forth between London and Paris several times in an attempt to retrieve the pieces, which were caught in a legal quagmire.
Despite advice from her attorneys to stay in London, away from the revolution, Bécu returned to France, remaining there until she was arrested by revolutionaries and sentenced to death.
Just as jewels were her demise, Bécu hoped they would offer her redemption.
She revealed the hidden locations of her staggering jewelry collection in an attempt to barter for her life; these jewels would go on to finance the revolutionary war effort. Ultimately, her efforts were in vain, as she was executed in 1793, only a matter of weeks after Marie Antoinette.
Two years later, Bécu’s stolen jewelry came into the possession of James Christie, who founded his auction business in 1766.
“The auction comprised 65 lots,” writes Meylan, “featuring 1,000 pearls; 150 brilliant diamonds, weighing between 1 and 12 carats; 1,200 smaller diamonds; and some stones of colour. Unfortunately, none of the stones were mounted.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The stolen jewels had been broken up by the thieves to avoid suspicion.”
The new book on Christie’s goes on to recount the fascinating provenances of many of the auction house’s lots throughout history, focusing on royalty, like Mary, Queen of Scots and HRH, Princess Margaret, and Hollywood actresses, such as Merle Oberlon and Elizabeth Taylor.
Ultimately, Christie’s sales history becomes a microscope through which to view human society, culture and socioeconomic situations. While the jewels may disappear into private collections, the records they leave behind become permanent in this fascinating tome.
Christie’s is available from ACC Publishing.
The new book on Christie’s goes on to recount the fascinating provenances of many of the auction house’s lots throughout history, focusing on royalty, like Mary, Queen of Scots and HRH, Princess Margaret, and Hollywood actresses, such as Merle Oberlon and Elizabeth Taylor.
Ultimately, Christie’s sales history becomes a microscope through which to view human society, culture and socioeconomic situations. While the jewels may disappear into private collections, the records they leave behind become permanent in this fascinating tome.
Christie’s is available from ACC Publishing.
More on Trends
The Latest
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
IndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership TeamAs demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out NowThe “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.
