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Historic Diamond Necklace Sells for Millions
An 18th-century diamond necklace with possible links to Marie Antoinette sold for \u20ac4.5 million at a Sotheby's auction.
French
France
LifestyleHistoryAuctionRoyaltyJewelryDiamonds
Sotheby's77 Diamonds
Marie AntoinetteLouis XviMadame De La MotteKing George ViQueen Elizabeth Ii
- Why was such a high price paid for the necklace, according to Sotheby's?
- The high price paid for the necklace reflects a growing market for historical jewelry with intriguing provenance. Buyers are often drawn to the history and stories associated with such pieces, which adds significantly to their value.
- What is known about the necklace's history from the early 20th century onwards?
- The necklace's history is more clearly documented from the early 20th century when it belonged to the Marquesses of Anglesey. Members of this British aristocratic family wore the necklace twice in public: at the coronations of King George VI in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
- What was the final selling price of the necklace, and how was the purchase made?
- The necklace was sold at a Sotheby's auction in Geneva for \u20ac4.5 million to an anonymous buyer. The buyer, who placed their bid by phone, is reportedly 'thrilled' with their purchase.
- How many diamonds and what is the total carat weight of the necklace sold at Sotheby's?
- The necklace, dating back to the 18th century, contains almost 500 diamonds weighing approximately 300 carats. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, with Sotheby's suggesting a possible connection to Marie Antoinette and the infamous Affair of the Diamond Necklace.
- What is the possible connection between the necklace and the Affair of the Diamond Necklace involving Marie Antoinette?
- Some of the diamonds in the necklace are believed to have originated from the ill-fated necklace in the Affair of the Diamond Necklace, which involved Marie Antoinette and a complex scheme of deception. Historians suggest these diamonds were later sold to England.