Historic necklace auctioned in Geneva for 4.55 million euros
Published: Thursday, Nov 14th 2024, 00:30
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An 18th century necklace set with almost 500 high-carat diamonds was auctioned off in Geneva on Wednesday for 4.55 million euros. According to Andres White Correal, head of the jewelry department at the Sotheby auction house, the necklace has "miraculously" survived the centuries unscathed and was estimated to be worth between 1.8 and 2.8 million dollars (around 1.7 and 2.6 million euros).
The necklace was found in a private collection in Asia. It is now being presented to the public for the first time in 50 years. After an exciting auction, the necklace finally changed hands for 3.55 million Swiss francs (3.79 million euros) and thus achieved a price of 4.26 million Swiss francs (4.55 million euros) after taxes and commissions.
The necklace, made from three rows of diamonds, is lined with impressive pompoms at both ends. The design emphasizes the transparency of the gemstones and lends this "rare and very important" piece great suppleness, the auction house said in a statement.
Some of the diamonds in the extraordinary necklace are said to come from the piece of jewelry that was at the center of the so-called necklace affair - a fraud scandal in which Queen Marie-Antoinette was also involved in the 18th century.
The necklace was passed down within an aristocratic family, explained White Correal. It is known to have been worn in public on two occasions: the coronation of King George VI in 1937 and the coronation of his daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953.
©Keystone/SDA
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