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
Lab-GrownNov 10, 2026
GIA Examines Pink Lab-Grown Diamond Made to Look NaturalThe 6-carat CVD-grown pink diamond was “deliberately modified” to mimic the appearance of a natural rough diamond, the lab said.
SourcingNov 10, 2026
Botswana in Line to Take Controlling Stake in De Beers, President Says If the Global Diamond Consortium emerges as the top bidder for De Beers, Botswana’s stake will double to 30 percent, Duma Boko said Monday.
ColumnistsNov 10, 2026
Who Checks the Facts When AI Writes Your Jewelry Copy?An incorrect AI-generated ad or product description can cost your store valuable consumer trust.
Brought to you by
DSF Antique Jewelry: Fine Jewelry, Signed Designers, and a World of Rare DiscoveriesWith over 50 years experience in the trade, DSF Antique Jewelry offers quality, craftsmanship, condition, and remarkable variety.
Events & AwardsNov 09, 2026
Here Are the 2027 Gem Award NomineesThese nine individuals and brands are up for a Gem Award in the Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation categories.
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeNov 09, 2026
Jeweler Pistol-Whipped, $900K in Jewelry Stolen During Home Invasion The incident, which happened in Miami-Dade County, serves as a reminder to jewelers of the dangers of selling and storing jewelry at home.
GradingNov 09, 2026
GIA Acquires Thousands of Gem Specimens With ‘Extraordinary’ InclusionsGIA Analytical Microscopist John Koivula curated the collection of 2,665 crystals, gems, and minerals over a 60-year span.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
CollectionsNov 09, 2026
Bibi van der Velden’s Alligators Become High JewelryThe “Eclipse” collection, the brand’s first high jewelry line, centers its alligator motif in diamond and spinel jewels.
EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
