MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
AuctionsApr 05, 2019
Aquamarine Fabergé Tiara Heads to Auction
A gift from a grand duke to his bride in 1904, the aquamarine and diamond piece could sell for up to $340,000 at Christie’s Geneva May 15.
A grand duke commissioned this royal tiara, comprised of nine graduated pear-shaped aquamarines and old, cushion and rose-cut diamonds, from Fabergé in 1904.
Geneva—A historic Fabergé tiara given by the regent of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in northern Germany to his bride in the early 1900s is heading to auction for the first time next month.
Made in 1904 as a wedding gift from Frederick Francis IV, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1882-1945), to Princess Alexandra of Hanover and Cumberland (1882-1963), the piece is comprised of nine graduated pear-shaped aquamarines and old, cushion and rose-cut diamonds.
It will make its auction debut more than a century after its creation at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva on May 15, where it’s expected to sell for between $230,000 and $340,000.
The tiara features forget-me-not flowers tied with ribbon bows, symbolizing true and eternal love, Christie’s said. They are being pierced by arrows representing cupid, an icon of endearment, attraction and affection.
According to the auction house, the Grand Duke’s mother, Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia, was a renowned collector of Fabergé pieces and encouraged him to order the wedding present for his bride at the jeweler’s atelier in St. Petersburg.
Archives show correspondence then between the Grand Ducal Cabinet of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Eugène Fabergé deliberating on the commission of an important jewel.
One of the letters dated May 10, 1904—less than a month before the wedding—offered possibilities of what the storied jeweler could offer: a diamond tiara for 10,000 roubles or an aquamarine and diamond tiara for 7,500 roubles. Using only aquamarines in the tiara, it added, wasn’t an option.
Another letter referred to design drawings proposed by Fabergé for the top section of the tiara, which had been sent to the Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna for her son’s approval.
These drawings went missing, though, and Fabergé said he had no copies for himself and didn’t know which design the Grand Duke had preferred.
With only two weeks left until the wedding, he wrote to the Grand Ducal Cabinet, saying he had not yet received any instructions on how to proceed. He asked, for a second time, for the return of the drawings so he could continue his work.
The responding letter, though, noted completion in time for the wedding on June 7, as the Grand Duke requested.
But even for a royal piece, Fabergé’s response was simple: it was impossible to execute in such a short time.
On her wedding day, Princess Alexandra ended up wearing the traditional Hanoverian nuptial crown set with diamonds that had been
in her family for more than a century, commissioned in 1761 for King George III of England’s wedding to Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
The aquamarine and diamond Fabergé tiara from her husband would follow later.
The aquamarine and diamond Fabergé tiara from her husband would follow later.
More on Auctions
The Latest
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
