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Video: The $5 Million Diamond NecklaceThat Started the French Revolution
A diamond necklace, possibly linked to Marie-Antoinette’s scandal and the French Revolution, sells for $4.7 million at Sotheby’s, showcasing its royal past and timeless allure.
A diamond necklace with a fascinating and secretive history recently sold at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva for an impressive $4.7 million. This auctioned jewel, valued higher than its expected price of $3.8 million, has ties to some of history's most legendary figures. The necklace, a triple-row diamond tassel design, is rumored to contain diamonds that once played a role in the infamous Affair of the Diamond Necklace—a scandal that rocked France and contributed to the French Revolution.
The necklace, which weighs a staggering 300 carats, was last seen publicly over 50 years ago. It was bought by an Asian private collector in the 1970s, but its appearance at the Royal and Noble Jewels auction left bidders in awe. After a thrilling seven-minute bidding war, the necklace was finally sold to a phone bidder. According to Andres White Correal, Sotheby’s Chairman of Jewelry for Europe and the Middle East, this sale marked a significant milestone in his career, with the room filled with palpable excitement.
This necklace is believed to have been created just before the French Revolution, making it an extraordinary artifact that survived centuries of tumultuous history. Sotheby’s described the jewel as an “incredible survivor,” a rare treasure linked to both the French and English royal courts. Experts speculate the diamonds may have originated from the famous Golconda mines in India, a source for some of the world's most renowned stones, including the Koh-i-Noor diamond.
While the true origin of the necklace’s diamonds remains uncertain, the jewel's historical ties are irrefutable. Not only is the necklace believed to be part of royal collections, but it was also worn at both the coronation of King George VI in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The connection to British royalty further solidifies its reputation as a piece of extraordinary value and legacy.
The necklace’s connection to the Affair of the Diamond Necklace adds a layer of intrigue to its story. This scandal, masterminded by a French noblewoman named Jeanne de la Motte, involved the sale of a diamond necklace meant for Marie-Antoinette. Though the queen was not involved, the scandal severely damaged her reputation and, in part, triggered the French Revolution. Some of the diamonds from that necklace are believed to have ended up in this very piece, adding an emotional weight to its sale.
Tobias Kormind, managing director of 77 Diamonds, commented on the necklace’s exceptional appeal, emphasizing its association with Marie-Antoinette and the rare quality of the diamonds from the Golconda mines. Despite historical uncertainty, the necklace's connection to a dramatic chapter in history is a major part of its allure and value.
As for the necklace’s design, the elegant tassels that cascade from its center are reminiscent of the style associated with Marie-Antoinette’s luxurious tastes. However, some experts, like Helen Molesworth, Senior Curator at the Victoria & Albert Museum, caution against assuming a direct link between the queen and this particular jewel. While the tassels fit the period’s style, Molesworth notes that there’s no definitive proof that the diamonds in this necklace are the same ones involved in the scandal.
The mystery surrounding the necklace’s origins only adds to its charm and mystique. Over time, historical jewelry has become a source of fascination, with items linked to figures like Marie-Antoinette sparking interest due to their deep emotional connections. Whether or not this necklace contains diamonds from the controversial event, it continues to capture the imagination of those drawn to royal history.
Jewels tied to Marie-Antoinette often fetch extraordinary prices at auction, reflecting the enduring fascination with the fallen queen’s legacy. The sale of this necklace further underscores the emotional value attached to royal artifacts. As Molesworth puts it, “Marie-Antoinette herself represents everything from downfall and declining morals, to beauty and romance.” The necklace’s sale reminds us of the way luxury and scandal intersect in history, and how the pieces of that history continue to hold immense value in modern times.