MajorsJun 16, 2026
5 Things to Know About the 2026 NBA Championship TrophyThe New York Knicks took home the Larry O'Brien Trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co.
AuctionsMar 25, 2021
Queen Victoria’s Mourning Jewels Find New Life at Auction
The sale of items belonging to the queen’s great-great granddaughter garnered three times more than expected.
This hardstone, enamel and diamond pendant circa 1878 belonged to Queen Victoria. The queen is believed to have commissioned the cross-shaped jewel in memory of her daughter Alice, who died of diphtheria on Dec. 14, 1878.
London—Four pieces of mourning jewelry that once belonged to Queen Victoria found new life at Sotheby’s Wednesday, with buyers paying more than double what was expected for each.
The top jewelry lot was a banded agate and diamond pendant the queen’s beloved husband, Prince Albert, had made for her in memory of her mother, Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, after she died in 1861.
The locket contains a miniature photograph of the princess, as well as a lock of her hair.
Estimated to go for £1,500, it sold for £32,760 ($44,933).
The other three mourning jewels in the sale were commissioned in memory of Princess Alice, Victoria and Albert’s third child and second daughter who died on Dec. 14, 1878 of diphtheria.
This is the locket Prince Albert had made for Queen Victoria in memory of her mother. The inscription on the back (seen here at far right), “Du warst uns Freud und Glück” translates to, “You were our joy and happiness.”
The banded agate and pearl pendant Queen Victoria had made in memory of her daughter Alice and granddaughter Marie dates to 1878. Marie died of diphtheria in November of that year and her mother followed in December.
This onyx and seed pearl button, also a mourning piece for Alice, features the inscription, “From Mama VRI 7th April 1879” on the reverse. It is believed Queen Victoria gave it to her youngest son, Prince Leopold, on his 26th birthday in remembrance of Alice.
A hardstone, enamel and diamond pendant made by Robert Phillips with “Alice” on the front, and on the reverse, a lock of hair and “Dear Alice 14th December 1878,” sold for well above its highest pre-sale estimate of £3,000, garnering £25,200 ($34,578, pictured at top of article).
A buyer paid £23,940 ($32,833) for a banded agate pendant collet-set with a pearl commissioned by Queen Victoria.
On the reverse is a glazed compartment containing a lock of hair and inscribed with two dates: Nov. 16 and Dec. 14, 1878. Princess Alice died of diphtheria on Dec. 14; she was preceded in death by her 4-year-old daughter Princess Marie of Hesse and by Rhine on Nov. 16, who also succumbed to the disease.
Finally, an onyx and seed pearl button commissioned by Queen Victoria featuring a seed pearl-set “A” and a portrait miniature of Alice inside sold for £18,900 pounds ($25,913), well above its £1,500 estimate.
Queen Victoria’s mourning jewels had been in the royal family for generations.
They went up on the block Wednesday at Sotheby’s London as part of a sale of the family collection of Patricia Knatchbull, 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma.
Lady Mountbatten, as she was titled, was the queen’s great-great granddaughter, in addition to being the eldest daughter of Britain’s last viceroy of India, great niece of Russia’s last tsarina and a first cousin to Prince Philip, the 99-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II.
She died in 2017 at the age of 93.
Wednesday’s auction included a total of 376 items that came from Newhouse, Lady Mountbatten’s 18th century home.
The sale was mostly a mix of jewelry, housewares, and art, as well as one interesting evening bag.
A buyer paid more than $150,000 for this circa 1905 mesh purse in the form of a pig at Sotheby’s auction of items belonging to Lady Mountbatten on Wednesday.
Described by Sotheby’s as “amusing,” “unusual” and “charming,” the pig purse is a Lacloche Frères creation from 1905.
The pig’s eyes are cabochon rubies, while its tail and hooves are set with rose-cut diamonds. The diamonds along its spine are cushion cut and its body is mesh, with a fancy link chain handle.
A buyer paid £109,620 ($150,327) for the swanky swine, well above its £2,000-3,000 estimate.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The sale of the family collection of Lady Mountbatten took 11 hours and garnered £$5.6 million ($7.7 million) total, three times what was expected.
Ninety-eight percent of the lots found buyers, and 90 percent topped their high estimates, the auction house said.
“An auction like today, with its heady mix of history and glamour, does not come up very often, and so it has been a truly special experience to be a part of,” said David Macdonald, Sotheby’s specialist and head of the sale.
“Over the course of the last two months, it has been wonderful to see Lady Mountbatten’s collection received so rapturously by people from all over the world, culminating in today’s sale where her belongings found brand new homes where they will be treasured for years to come.”
To see more items that sold at the auction, visit Sothebys.com.
More on Auctions
The Latest
TrendsJun 16, 2026
Post-Vegas Jewelry Trend Report: Big Beads, Western Flair, White MetalsAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco lists the trends she spotted during Jewelry Market Week that will dominate the second half of 2026.
SourcingJun 16, 2026
GemGuide Updates Ruby PricesIts app now reflects increased prices for Mozambique ruby, as well as changes to its Burma ruby charts.
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.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
Sasha Primak Hires New Design DirectorThe manufacturer has tapped Alicia Arnold, the former director of custom design at Tiny Jewel Box.
Weekly QuizJun 11, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsJun 15, 2026
DeBoulle Diamond & Jewelry to Renovate Dallas FlagshipThe revamped, elevated space will feature a two-story Patek Philippe atelier and a rooftop patio for parties.
WatchesJun 15, 2026
G-Shock, Coca-Cola Partner on Bottle-Inspired WatchThe special-edition piece marks the 140th anniversary of the iconic beverage brand.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
TrendsJun 15, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Tiny Charms Are TrendingHere are 13 small charms to inspire your layered looks this summer.
CollectionsJun 12, 2026
Chouette Designs To Launch Collection Celebrating All Types of LoveOur Pride Month Piece of the Week, the “Margaux” ring, is part of the wife-and-wife team’s new “Lovestoned” collection.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2026
CBG Announces Plans for Phoenix ShowThe group has named the keynote speaker and announced a new pavilion for its next event, which is slated for September.
EditorsJun 11, 2026
This Was the Best Animal Jewelry in Las Vegas From lions and hippos to snails and fish, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow wrangles her picks for cutest jewelry critters in Las Vegas.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Grandview Klein, London Jewelers Partner To Cut 63-Carat RoughThe big stone will be fashioned into a 20.26-carat diamond in celebration of the retailer’s 100th anniversary this year.
MajorsJun 11, 2026
Former Cartier Creative Director To Head Chanel’s Jewelry Creation StudioMarie-Laure Cérède will join Chanel as the new director of its jewelry creation studio, starting in October.
Lab-GrownJun 11, 2026
Smiling Rocks’ ‘Wish Jar’ Generates 100+ Wishes in Las Vegas At the JCK show, the lab-grown diamond brand teamed up with Jewelers for Children to support Make-A-Wish India.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Exec Joins Diamonds Do Good BoardIlana McCabe is Signet’s vice president of public relations and brand communications.
MajorsJun 10, 2026
Saks Global Receives Bankruptcy Court Approval for ReorganizationThe approval means the retailer is on track to exit bankruptcy proceedings this summer.
CrimeJun 10, 2026
2 Suspects Arrested in Texas Jewelry Store RobberyThe men are believed to be part of the group of several masked suspects that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers in April.
CollectionsJun 10, 2026
Sylvie Debuts ‘Elevated’ Bridal Collection Inspired By Designer’s RingThe bridal-focused brand is also launching its Custom Atelier this summer, a digital custom design tool for its authorized retailers.
EditorsJun 09, 2026
Q&A: Al Cook on the Lab-Grown ‘Bubble,’ Dwindling Diamond Supply The De Beers Group CEO also discussed tariffs, Desert Diamonds, and the pending sale of De Beers in an interview with Michelle Graff.
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Wilkerson's Russ Whitehouse RetiresThe industry veteran is bringing his 56-year run in the fine jewelry sector to an end.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2026
Pride Month Panel to Highlight LGBTQ+ Jewelry VoicesThe panel discussion will feature LGBTQ+ leaders across the jewelry, luxury, and creative industries.
CollectionsJun 09, 2026
Marie Lichtenberg’s New Capsule Collection Is a Smash, LiterallyInspired by a locket that got run over, the “Smash” capsule collection reimagines the shape of Lichtenberg’s signature style.
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names Director of Sales for SoutheastThe company has promoted Katherine Whitacre to the role.
MajorsJun 08, 2026
Stuller Expands Selection of Lab-Grown Diamonds, Demi-Fine JewelryThe jewelry manufacturer has added Taylor Swift-esque diamond shapes, and more silver, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewelry.
SourcingJun 08, 2026
Sally Morrison to Depart De Beers This Summer Morrison has been marketing diamonds on and off since the early 2000s and said she is leaving to “pursue new projects.”
TrendsJun 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: June’s Birthstone TrioThose born in June can celebrate with pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone jewelry.
