Christie's Magnificent Jewels auction features royal tiaras, historical necklaces and truly staggering diamonds

Who needs a house anyway?
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Megan C. Hills18 April 2019

Christie’s will be holding a major jewellery auction in Geneva this May. Featuring royal tiaras and 25.27 carat diamond rings, the Magnificent Jewels auction will see gems worth millions go under the hammer.

One of the most notable items in the collection is an aquamarine and diamond tiara, crafted by Faberge in 1904 as a wedding gift for Princess Alexandra of Hanover and Cumberland.

Commissioned by Frederick Francis IV, the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, the intricate design includes nine pear-shaped aquamarines and a number of old-, cushion- and rose-cut diamonds.

Christie’s estimate the tiara is likely to go for between $230,000 - $340,000.

(Christie's)

Upon closer inspection, the tiara’s intricate design tells a romantic story: combining forget-me-nots bound with ribbons as a sign of “true and eternal love” with Cupid’s arrows.

Following a difficult back and forth between the Duke and Faberge - during which the original drawings went missing - he asked for the grand tiara to be completed within two weeks in time for his wedding.

According to Christie’s, “Faberge declared that it was impossible to execute the commission in such a short time” and Princess Alexandra settled for wearing the traditional Hanoverian nuptial crown.

(Christie's)

Another piece of jewellery with an impressive royal backstory is a 19th century emerald and diamond fringe necklace, which passed hands between French and English royalty. Valued between $1,500,000 and $2,500,000, the necklace was a gift from Duke Henri d’Orleans of Aumale and was given to his goddaughter Princess Helen of France as a wedding gift. (She married Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Italy in 1895.)

Nearly a century later, it later passed into the possession of the Marchioness of Cholmondeley Sybil Sassoon.

(Christie's)

It wouldn’t be a Christie’s auction without a truly staggering diamond, like the 25.27 carat Jonker V. While it might not have as regal a history as the previous pieces, the gem was cut from a 726 carat rough diamond in 1934 declared the “fourth largest gem quality diamond ever unearthed” at the time.

It was later set in a ring by jeweller Harry Winston and is expected to be sold between $2,500,000 - $3,500,000.

(Christie's)

The piece expected to fetch the most this year is a coloured diamond and sapphire ring, set with multiple 2 and 2.2 carat diamonds and two fancy heart brilliant-cut sapphires. Christie's estimates that the ring will be sold for between $3,500,000 and $4,500,000.

Although many can only dream of possessing pieces even a fraction as grand as Christie’s Magnificent Jewels selection, jewellery aficionados will be able to see the collection before the bidding begins. The pieces will be available for public preview in Geneva at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, starting May 10 and ending May 15 when the auction will take place.

Royal tiaras - In pictures

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