While Christie’s and Sotheby’s recently showcased remarkable gems with royal connections, the highlight of Geneva’s prestigious auction season was undeniably the Marie Thérèse Pink Diamond. This extraordinary 10.38-carat fancy purple-pink kite-shaped diamond, graded by the GIA, sold for an impressive $14 million. The gem’s historical significance stems from its association with Queen Marie-Antoinette before passing to Duchess Marie-Thérèse de Angoulême, setting a world auction record for a JAR jewel.
Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction realized CHF60,493,260 ($72,363,223) with perfect sell-through, as 100% of lots found new owners. An impressive 77% of the 115 lots exceeded their high estimates, drawing bidders from 45 countries across three major regions: 46% from EMEA, 26% from the United States, and 20% from Asia. The top lot was a 6.24-carat Fancy Deep Blue diamond that commanded CHF10,640,000 ($12,727,777), or approximately $2,039,707 per carat. GIA reports added substantial value to the auction items by establishing the definitive 4Cs grading standards that buyers rely on for authentication.
Another historical treasure, the Napoleon Diamond Brooch featuring a 13.2-carat Old Mine Cut central diamond, sold at Sotheby’s Geneva for $4.4 million, far exceeding its $250,000 estimate. This piece carries a fascinating provenance, having been lost at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and seized by Prussian marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher. It subsequently remained in the Prussian Royal House of Hohenzollern for over two centuries. The versatile design allows it to be worn as either a brooch or pendant.
The French royal jewelry collection has a rich history dating back to 1530 when King Francis I began assembling crown jewels. After the 1792 revolution, these treasures were claimed by the French Republic as public property. Many pieces passed through royal hands, including those of Hortense, Marie Amélie, Napoleon, and Empress Eugénie. These royal collections were initially displayed in the magnificent Apollo Gallery of the Louvre, which later inspired the famous Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.
Collectors still have opportunities to acquire pieces with royal connections, as Sotheby’s upcoming sales include a natural pearl-diamond transformable jewel once owned by Cunegonde of Saxony. For those interested in more contemporary treasures, Christie’s Jewels Online: Geneva Edit offers 243 additional lots available until May 20, 2025.
