Is This Diamond Necklace Responsible for Marie-Antoinette's Downfall?
As they say, a piece of jewelry has the power to tell many stories. This particular diamond necklace, which is being sold by Sotheby's this fall for an estimated $2.8 million, tells royal-related ones both good and bad.
The diamond necklace weighs approximately 300 carats and was made in the 18th century, likely a decade before the French Revolution. This sale is the first time the jewel will be exhibited in the last 50 years.
According to the auction house, some of the diamonds from the necklace may have come from the "Affair of the Diamond Necklace" 1785 scandal with Marie Antoinette. As the story goes, a cardinal was interested in charming the last Queen of France, who was tricked into acquiring a necklace on behalf of someone who is essentially catfishing her. When the jewelers came around to ask for the payment directly from the queen, they were notified that she never received the necklace. In the meantime, the catfish broke off pieces of the necklace and sold them in London. The occasion sparked rumors of Marie-Antoinette having an affair with a cardinal, which furthered the distrust of the French monarchy.
Later known moments with the diamond necklace tell more redeeming royal stories. In the 20th century, the item was owned by the Marquesses of Anglesey, an Anglo-Welsh aristocratic family with close ties to the British royal family. In 1937, Marjorie Paget wore the jewel to the coronation of King George VI and was immortalized in her coronation robes and diamond jewelry by Cecil Beaton (above). In 1953, her daughter-in-law wore the diamond jewels to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
The necklace will tour around the globe, stopping at London, Hong Kong, New York, Singapore, Taipei, and Dubai before it is sold during a live sale in Geneva, Switzerland on November 11.
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