AuctionsApr 26, 2021
Hemmerle Jewels Fetch $1.4M at Sotheby’s AuctionAuctionsMay 12, 2021
The Royal Tiara ‘Tried On’ By Thousands Sells for $1.6M
Here’s how other important pieces of jewelry did at Sotheby’s auction of magnificent and noble jewels in Geneva.
This natural pearl and diamond tiara with ties to Europe’s House of Savoy sold for $1.6 million at Sotheby’s jewelry auction held Tuesday in Geneva.
Geneva—Sotheby’s created a social media filter to allow people around the world to try on a tiara with royal provenance, and the move definitely drummed up interest.
The auction house put a natural pearl and diamond tiara connected to the House of Savoy up on the block Tuesday as part of its flagship “Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels: Part I” auction in Geneva.
Ahead of the sale, Sotheby’s unveiled an AR filter to allow people to virtually try on the piece and take pictures with it. The auction house said users took 22,000 selfies and videos in six weeks, making it Sotheby’s most popular social media filter to date.
The tiara ended up selling for $1.6 million to an Asian buyer, slightly above its pre-sale estimate of $1 million-$1.5 million.
Sotheby’s said the piece was one of the most important tiaras to appear on the market in recent years—it’s connected to the House of Savoy, one of the world’s oldest royal dynasties and Italy’s ruling family from 1861 to 1946.
Related stories will be right here …
The auction house put a natural pearl and diamond tiara connected to the House of Savoy up on the block Tuesday as part of its flagship “Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels: Part I” auction in Geneva.
Ahead of the sale, Sotheby’s unveiled an AR filter to allow people to virtually try on the piece and take pictures with it. The auction house said users took 22,000 selfies and videos in six weeks, making it Sotheby’s most popular social media filter to date.
The tiara ended up selling for $1.6 million to an Asian buyer, slightly above its pre-sale estimate of $1 million-$1.5 million.
Sotheby’s said the piece was one of the most important tiaras to appear on the market in recent years—it’s connected to the House of Savoy, one of the world’s oldest royal dynasties and Italy’s ruling family from 1861 to 1946.
The tiara was likely a wedding gift to Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo, who married Amadeo I of Savoy, the King of Spain from 1870-1873, in 1867. After that, it stayed in the family for more than 150 years.
It’s believed Musy Padre e Figli, court jeweler of Turin and one of Europe’s oldest goldsmiths, made the tiara.
It has graduated scroll motifs set with cushion-shaped, circular- and single-cut diamonds framing 11 slightly baroque drop-shaped natural pearls, and can also be worn as a necklace.
Also during Tuesday’s jewelry auction in Geneva, Sotheby’s offered what it said is the largest Kashmir sapphire ever to appear at auction.
The 55.19-carat stone was sold as part of a 1930s brooch formerly in the collection of Maureen Constance Guinness, Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava (1907-1998). The sapphire is set alongside another large Kashmir sapphire weighing 25.97 carats and diamond accents.
It’s believed Musy Padre e Figli, court jeweler of Turin and one of Europe’s oldest goldsmiths, made the tiara.
It has graduated scroll motifs set with cushion-shaped, circular- and single-cut diamonds framing 11 slightly baroque drop-shaped natural pearls, and can also be worn as a necklace.
Also during Tuesday’s jewelry auction in Geneva, Sotheby’s offered what it said is the largest Kashmir sapphire ever to appear at auction.
The 55.19-carat stone was sold as part of a 1930s brooch formerly in the collection of Maureen Constance Guinness, Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava (1907-1998). The sapphire is set alongside another large Kashmir sapphire weighing 25.97 carats and diamond accents.
A 1930s sapphire and diamond brooch, featuring a 55.19-carat oval Kashmir sapphire and a 25.97-carat cushion-shaped Kashmir sapphire. It sold for $3.9 million in Geneva Tuesday.
At left, an 80.45-carat step-cut Colombian emerald, which sold for $3.5 million, and at right, a 104.40-carat pear-shaped Colombian emerald, which went for $1.9 million.
Graff bought the brooch, paying $3.9 million for the piece, above its highest pre-sale estimate of $3 million.
Both the tiara and the sapphire brooch were presented alongside an important noble collection comprising seven jewels, all of which sold for a total of $19.8 million.
The collection included two necklaces by Harry Winston, also acquired by Graff—one set with a cushion-shaped 126.43-carat Ceylon sapphire ($2.3 million) and another sapphire and diamond piece with a detachable pendant set with a 111.73-carat cushion-shaped Ceylon sapphire ($4.7 million).
Meanwhile, a circa 1974 Harry Winston brooch/pendant set with a 104.40-carat pear-shaped Colombian emerald sold for just above its pre-sale high by garnering $1.9 million, while an 80.45-carat step-cut Colombian emerald and diamond brooch/pendant fell within its range when it garnered $3.5 million.
The Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels: Part I auction totaled $56 million, with 70 percent of participants bidding online.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
