WatchesNov 09, 2021
This Timepiece Set an Auction Record for an Independent WatchmakerAuctionsNov 10, 2021
Marie Antoinette Bracelets Smash Auction Estimates, Selling for $8M
The Duchess of Windsor bangle, however, failed to sell.
Diamond bracelets once belonging to Marie Antoinette were the top lot at Christie’s Geneva’s Magnificent Jewels auction.
Geneva—Marie Antoinette’s diamond bracelets were in high demand at Christie’s Geneva’s Magnificent Jewels auction on Nov. 9, while a bangle belonging to the Duchess of Windsor failed to find a buyer.
Expected to fetch between $2.2 and $4.4 million per current exchange rates, the Marie Antoinette bracelets comprising 112 diamonds and believed to be in their original designs as when they belonged to the last queen of France sold for nearly $8.2 million to an undisclosed buyer.
According to Christie’s, Marie Antoinette purchased the bracelets in 1776—when she was 16 years old and two years after becoming queen—with gemstones from her collection and a sum of money from her husband, King Louis XVI.
Marie Antoinette sent them along with other personal effects for safekeeping to the former Austrian ambassador to France when she and King Louis were imprisoned in the Tuileries in Paris.
She was executed in 1793. The bracelets were given to her daughter, Madame Royale, who donned them in a portrait, and they were passed through the family’s royal lineage for 200 years.
The No. 2 lot in the Magnificent Jewels sale was an unmounted Golconda diamond. The pear modified brilliant-cut 55.5 carat, D-color, VVS2 clarity, potentially internally flawless, Type IIa diamond fell within its pre-sale estimate, earning $5.3 million.
A Van Cleef & Arpels ruby and diamond brooch earned the No. 3 spot, selling for approximately $4.6 million, though it was expected to sell for only $440,000 to $660,000.
The No. 4 lot was an important diamond ring, which sold for approximately $3.6 million, within its pre-sale estimate.
The ring features a 43.19-carat oval brilliant-cut, D-color, internally flawless, Type IIa diamond set in platinum flanked by two fancy-cut diamonds.
At No. 5 was an exceptional colored diamond and diamond ring that sold within its pre-sale range for nearly $3.1 million.
It features a fancy vivid yellow rectangular cut-cornered diamond weighing 42.98 carats, VVS1 clarity, flanked by kite-shaped diamonds weighing 1.7 and 1.69 carats, set in platinum and yellow gold.
Buyers didn’t clamor for the Cartier bangle the Duke of Windsor gave to his wife the Duchess of Windsor on the occasion of their first anniversary in 1938, less than two years after he abdicated the British throne to marry the divorced American.
Featuring two cushion-shaped no-heat Burmese rubies weighing a total 36.15 carats set in platinum and surrounded by more than 24 carats of baguette and circular-cut diamonds, Christie’s had expected the historically important piece to fetch between $1.1 million and $1.6 million.
Full results are available online.
Related stories will be right here …
Expected to fetch between $2.2 and $4.4 million per current exchange rates, the Marie Antoinette bracelets comprising 112 diamonds and believed to be in their original designs as when they belonged to the last queen of France sold for nearly $8.2 million to an undisclosed buyer.
According to Christie’s, Marie Antoinette purchased the bracelets in 1776—when she was 16 years old and two years after becoming queen—with gemstones from her collection and a sum of money from her husband, King Louis XVI.
Marie Antoinette sent them along with other personal effects for safekeeping to the former Austrian ambassador to France when she and King Louis were imprisoned in the Tuileries in Paris.
She was executed in 1793. The bracelets were given to her daughter, Madame Royale, who donned them in a portrait, and they were passed through the family’s royal lineage for 200 years.
The Marie Antoinette diamond bracelets
The No. 2 lot in the Magnificent Jewels sale was an unmounted Golconda diamond. The pear modified brilliant-cut 55.5 carat, D-color, VVS2 clarity, potentially internally flawless, Type IIa diamond fell within its pre-sale estimate, earning $5.3 million.
A Van Cleef & Arpels ruby and diamond brooch earned the No. 3 spot, selling for approximately $4.6 million, though it was expected to sell for only $440,000 to $660,000.
The No. 4 lot was an important diamond ring, which sold for approximately $3.6 million, within its pre-sale estimate.
The ring features a 43.19-carat oval brilliant-cut, D-color, internally flawless, Type IIa diamond set in platinum flanked by two fancy-cut diamonds.
At No. 5 was an exceptional colored diamond and diamond ring that sold within its pre-sale range for nearly $3.1 million.
It features a fancy vivid yellow rectangular cut-cornered diamond weighing 42.98 carats, VVS1 clarity, flanked by kite-shaped diamonds weighing 1.7 and 1.69 carats, set in platinum and yellow gold.
The Duchess of Windsor bangle
Buyers didn’t clamor for the Cartier bangle the Duke of Windsor gave to his wife the Duchess of Windsor on the occasion of their first anniversary in 1938, less than two years after he abdicated the British throne to marry the divorced American.
Featuring two cushion-shaped no-heat Burmese rubies weighing a total 36.15 carats set in platinum and surrounded by more than 24 carats of baguette and circular-cut diamonds, Christie’s had expected the historically important piece to fetch between $1.1 million and $1.6 million.
Full results are available online.
More on Auctions
The Latest
FinancialsNov 26, 2025
Movado CEO Talks Tariffs, Growing Interest in Accessible Luxury WatchesDuring its Q3 call, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed the deal to lower tariffs on Swiss-made watches, watch market trends, and more.
TrendsNov 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rosior’s Pumpkin RingRosior’s high jewelry cocktail ring with orange sapphires and green diamonds is the perfect Thanksgiving accessory.
IndependentsNov 26, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Colorful Holiday CampaignThe “Embrace Your True Colors” campaign features jewels with a vibrant color palette and poetry by Grammy-nominated artist Aja Monet.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
MajorsNov 26, 2025
Serafino Consoli Names New VP of Sales, Brand Development for the AmericasLuxury veteran Alejandro Cuellar has stepped into the role at the Italian fine jewelry brand.
Weekly QuizNov 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsNov 26, 2025
Grandview Klein Presents 4 Scholarships in NamibiaThe company gave awards to four students at the Namibia University of Science & Technology, including one who is a Grandview Klein employee.
IndependentsNov 25, 2025
Pearl Stringer Margaret Hoisik DiesShe is remembered as an artist who loved her craft and was devoted to her faith, her friends, and her family.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
SourcingNov 25, 2025
Finestar Opens Diamond Manufacturing Facility in JohannesburgIt joins the company’s other manufacturing facilities globally, including in India, Botswana, and Namibia.
TrendsNov 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Polka DotsThe polka dot pattern transcends time and has re-emerged as a trend in jewelry through round-shaped gemstones.
CrimeNov 25, 2025
Former Arizona AG Official Charged With Trafficking Stolen JewelryVanessa Hickman, 49, allegedly sold a diamond bracelet that was mistakenly sent to her home.
Events & AwardsNov 25, 2025
GIA Awards Susan Jacques With Its Highest HonorGIA’s former president and CEO was presented with the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement.
Recorded WebinarsNov 24, 2025
Watch: Top Tips for Social Media EtiquetteSocial media experts spoke about protecting brand reputation through behaving mindfully online.
WatchesNov 24, 2025
Breitling Reveals Plans for Gallet, Universal GenèveIn 2026, the three will come together as “House of Brands,” with Gallet sold in Breitling stores and Universal Genève sold separately.
CollectionsNov 24, 2025
Muse Debuts a Wicked 'Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo' SequelThe second drop, which includes more Elphaba-inspired pieces from additional designers, will continue to benefit nonprofit Dreams of Hope.
IndependentsNov 24, 2025
J.R. Dunn Jewelers Names New PresidentSecond-generation jeweler Sean Dunn has taken on the role.
MajorsNov 21, 2025
Natural Diamond Council Names New CEOAmber Pepper’s main focus will be on digital innovation and engaging younger consumers.
SourcingNov 21, 2025
De Beers’ Branded, Traceable Diamonds Roll Out to 19 Retailers Called “Origin by De Beers Group,” the loose, polished diamonds are being sold in a total of 30 stores in the United States and Canada.
CollectionsNov 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Melissa Kaye’s ‘Rocky Infinity’ NecklaceThe lariat necklace features a 4.88-carat oval-cut Zambian emerald in 18-karat yellow gold.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
