Mysterious 500-Diamond Necklace Up for Auction
A stunning diamond necklace, featuring 500 diamonds and totaling 300 carats, is set to be auctioned in Switzerland in two months.
Sotheby’s, the auction house managing the sale, expects the final price to reach up to $2.8 million. This extraordinary 18th-century piece, once owned by British aristocracy, is regarded as one of the last great examples of grand European royal jewelry.
The necklace showcases three elegant rows of diamonds, each ending in a dazzling diamond tassel. It was worn at the coronations of both Queen Elizabeth II and King George VI.
Sotheby’s, the auction house managing the sale, expects the final price to reach up to $2.8 million. This extraordinary 18th-century piece, once owned by British aristocracy, is regarded as one of the last great examples of grand European royal jewelry.
The necklace showcases three elegant rows of diamonds, each ending in a dazzling diamond tassel. It was worn at the coronations of both Queen Elizabeth II and King George VI.
The Exclusive 500-Diamond Necklace
Unveiled at an exclusive event in London, the necklace is a rare masterpiece of historical jewelry. Andres White Correal, Director at Sotheby’s, noted the necklace’s timeless appeal: "What fascinates me most is that, despite being from the 18th century, it was worn in the 1930s by the Sixth Marquess of Anglesey and still looked modern, as captured by photographer Cecil Beaton."
"It's a wonderful find because, typically, jewelry from the 18th century was broken up to be repurposed. To have an intact piece from the Georgian period, of this importance and carat weight, is absolutely fabulous," said Correal, chairman of Sotheby's jewelry department, in an interview with AFP.
"The jewel has passed down through various aristocratic families. We can trace it back to the early 20th century, when it was part of the Marquess of Anglesey’s collection," he added.
According to Sotheby’s, some of the diamonds in the necklace may be linked to the infamous "Affair of the Necklace," a scandal that contributed to the French Revolution and ultimately led to Marie Antoinette’s execution. Despite being accused of involvement, she was later found innocent of the fraud, though she was guillotined on October 16, 1793.
The auction house also revealed that the diamonds are believed to originate from the legendary Golconda mines in India, known for producing some of the purest and most dazzling diamonds ever discovered.
Before its sale in Geneva on November 11, the necklace will be displayed in Hong Kong, New York, Singapore, and Taipei.
"The jewel has passed down through various aristocratic families. We can trace it back to the early 20th century, when it was part of the Marquess of Anglesey’s collection," he added.
According to Sotheby’s, some of the diamonds in the necklace may be linked to the infamous "Affair of the Necklace," a scandal that contributed to the French Revolution and ultimately led to Marie Antoinette’s execution. Despite being accused of involvement, she was later found innocent of the fraud, though she was guillotined on October 16, 1793.
The auction house also revealed that the diamonds are believed to originate from the legendary Golconda mines in India, known for producing some of the purest and most dazzling diamonds ever discovered.
Before its sale in Geneva on November 11, the necklace will be displayed in Hong Kong, New York, Singapore, and Taipei.
