Marie Antoinette Diamond Necklace Fetches $4.8 Million at Auction, Tied to Royal Scandal”
Marie Antoinette Diamond Necklace Fetches $4.8 Million: A diamond necklace believed to be linked to one of the most infamous scandals in French royal history has sold for an astounding $4.8 million at an auction in Geneva. The Georgian-era piece, which contains around 500 diamonds, was expected to fetch a far lower price, making its final sale nearly double the estimated value.
The necklace, which once belonged to the Marquess of Anglesey, captivated bidders not only with its beauty but with its intriguing connection to Marie Antoinette, the ill-fated last queen of France. The buyer, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed immense joy after securing the lot, stating, “I’m merely the custodian until the next person will come along,” emphasizing the deep historical significance attached to the jewels.
The necklace is rumored to contain diamonds that were once part of the infamous “affair of the diamond necklace,” a scandal in the 1780s that may have played a significant role in tarnishing Marie Antoinette’s reputation. The scandal involved Jeanne de la Motte, a noblewoman who tricked a cardinal into purchasing a diamond necklace on behalf of the queen, who had no knowledge of the deal. The cardinal was later exonerated, while de la Motte was publicly branded as a thief. Though Marie Antoinette was innocent, the affair fueled the public’s growing disdain for the queen, accusing her of extravagance during a time of social unrest.
Originally set with 650 diamonds and weighing nearly 2,800 carats, the necklace at the heart of the scandal was broken up and sold in pieces on the black market. Some of those original diamonds are believed to have been incorporated into the necklace that sold this week, based on the quality and age of the stones.
This exquisite necklace has a storied past beyond its royal connections. It was also worn by the Marquess of Anglesey at both Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 coronation and King George VI’s in 1937. For nearly a century, it was part of the Anglesey family’s jewelry collection before it was sold to a private collector in the 1960s.
As historical jewels like this continue to attract attention from collectors, the sale has sparked renewed interest in the monarchy’s tragic past and the enduring legacy of Marie Antoinette’s troubled reign.
