SurveysJul 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JuneFalling oil prices were a factor in the slight month-over-month improvement.
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.
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
CollectionsJul 01, 2026
Rio Grande Launches First Finished Bridal CollectionThe new offering comprises more than 120 bridal and engagement ring styles with natural and lab-grown diamonds.
WatchesJul 01, 2026
Rolex Unveils Clock at Rockefeller CenterThe clock is part of the celebration for the soon-to-open Rolex headquarters on New York City’s Fifth Avenue.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
IndependentsJul 01, 2026
Kristen Cannon of Valobra Master Jewelers Dies at 49The public relations professional is remembered for her benevolent generosity and unwavering commitment to those around her.
Weekly QuizJul 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesJun 30, 2026
Pokémon Fans Will Want to Catch This New G-Shock WatchThe new watch commemorates Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.
MajorsJun 30, 2026
Saks Global Emerges From Bankruptcy With New NameThe luxury retailer is now called Exemplar Luxury Group.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
CollectionsJun 30, 2026
Jade Ruzzo’s New Collection Embodies the Art of Being a LadyThe “Lady” collection is a new take on old beauty standards with gemstone-adorned hair pins and combs, a compact mirror necklace, and more.
SourcingJun 30, 2026
Blue Nile Introduces Montana Sapphire CollectionThe new line is included in the e-tailer’s curation of jewelry celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
GradingJun 30, 2026
AGS Opens 2026 Recertification ExamAll active members who earned their credential or designation before Dec. 1, 2025, are required to recertify.
CollectionsJun 29, 2026
Briony Raymond’s New Collection Is a ‘Carousel’ of Hard StonesThe new jewelry collection uses a colorful palette of onyx, malachite, tiger’s eye, mother-of-pearl, lapis, turquoise, and coral.
IndependentsJun 29, 2026
Look Inside Lee Michaels’ Revamped Mississippi FlagshipLee Michaels Fine Jewelry is celebrating 30 years in the Ridgeland, Mississippi community.
GradingJun 29, 2026
National Rarities Announces New Gemology ManagerSean Milliner has joined the company.
GradingJun 29, 2026
GIA to Open New London CampusClasses will begin in August at GIA’s new Canary Wharf location.
AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
