PodcastsJul 22, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program Certifies First Advanced Apprentice GraduateThe graduate, Grace Barden, credited the program with helping her secure a job as a bench jeweler.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
Jewelers of Louisiana to Host 80th ConventionThe event, scheduled for next month in New Orleans, will include dinner, a custom jewelry design contest, and education sessions.
SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in BotswanaThe yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
IndependentsJul 15, 2026
New Jersey Jeweler Barry Berman Dies at 81The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.
FinancialsJul 15, 2026
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Jump 18%, Declines to Comment on Sale Report The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”
