A diamond necklace with a storied past, worn at two coronations, is now on the market – and it’s worth A LOT!
This remarkable piece reportedly features diamonds from the notorious necklace central to the Marie-Antoinette scandal, adding layers of intrigue to its history.
Before its auction debut on November 11th, the necklace will be publicly displayed for the first time in 50 years.
Diamond experts at UK retailer Steven Stone have shared all the details about this extraordinary piece.
What do we know about the necklace?
Likely crafted a decade before the French Revolution, this stunning necklace boasts an impressive weight of approximately 300 carats. It features three rows of dazzling round cut diamonds that elegantly cascade into a striking diamond tassel. Each brilliant-cut diamond weighs between 1 and 1.5 carats.
According to the Sotheby’s listing, these exquisite diamonds were likely sourced from India’s legendary Golconda mines – the same mines that yielded the infamous Hope Diamond, a 45-carat blue gem shrouded in legend and believed to be cursed.
While the exact origins of the necklace remain undocumented, it is believed to have been created for royalty or a high-ranking aristocrat. In the early 20th century, it was owned by the Marchioness of Anglesey.
Notably, in 1937, Marjorie Paget, the Marchioness of Anglesey, wore the necklace to the coronation of King George VI. In 1953, her daughter-in-law donned the exquisite piece for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Controversy
According to Sotheby’s, some of the diamonds embedded in the necklace are believed to have originated from the piece central to the “Affair of the Diamond Necklace” scandal.
The scandal involved a lavish necklace meant for Queen Marie Antoinette. A con artist named Jeanne de La Motte deceived a cardinal into thinking he was buying the necklace for the Queen. When the necklace was never delivered, the scandal broke, damaging the queen’s reputation and contributing to the unrest that led to the French Revolution.
“Likely crafted a decade before the French Revolution, this stunning necklace weighs approximately 300 carats and features three rows of dazzling round cut diamonds cascading into a striking tassel, with each brilliant-cut diamond weighing between 1 and 1.5 carats.
Notably, Marjorie Paget, the Marchioness of Anglesey, wore it to the coronation of King George VI in 1937, while her daughter-in-law showcased the exquisite piece at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
The remarkable necklace is said to include diamonds from the infamous piece tied to the Marie-Antoinette scandal, adding layers of intrigue to its history.
Valuing a piece with such rich history and substantial carat weight is a considerable challenge. However, I would estimate its worth to be around $3 million.”
maxwell stone, creative director, steven stone
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