Christie’s Auction House is set to showcase and sell a rare 10-carat pink diamond, the Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond, along with a significant sapphire necklace, the Blue Belle. These jewels have deep royal connections, with the pink diamond linked to Marie Antoinette and the sapphire originally intended for Queen Elizabeth. The sale will take place in New York City, with the auction set for June 17, featuring both pieces as central highlights.
Christie’s Auction House is set to unveil a stunning collection of rare jewels, including a 10-carat pink diamond and a 392.52-carat sapphire necklace, during an upcoming auction in New York City. These pieces, known as the Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond and the Blue Belle Sapphire, respectively, have historical significance and royal ties, drawing substantial interest from collectors and historians.
The Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond, a kite-shaped fancy purple-pink diamond from the mid-18th century, has a storied past. According to royal lore, Queen Marie Antoinette entrusted her most treasured jewels to her devoted coiffeur on the eve of her failed escape from Paris in 1791, hoping to reclaim them in the future. The jewels were eventually passed to Antoinette’s only surviving child, Duchess Marie Thérèse de Angoulême. A few generations later, it was revealed through a will that the diamond belonged to Queen Marie Theresa of Bavaria, who referred to it as ‘a pink solitaire diamond from Aunt Chambord.’
The diamond last appeared at auction in Geneva in 1996, offered by a member of a European royal family, and has not been publicly displayed since. Parisian jeweler Joel Arthur Rosenthal has since revived the diamond, setting it in a modern setting. The piece is expected to sell for between $3 million and $5 million, reflecting its rarity and historical value.
Among the highlights of the Christie’s sale will be the Blue Belle Sapphire necklace, estimated to fetch $8 million to $12 million. The necklace contains 392.52-carat Sri Lankan sapphires discovered in 1926 and was intended to be presented to Queen Elizabeth on the occasion of King George VI’s coronation. However, it never entered the royal collection and instead passed through several distinguished owners. Rahul Kadakia, international head of jewelry at Christie’s, praised the Blue Belle as ‘a gem of exceptional size, color, and clarity’ that is ‘extraordinarily rare.’ He highlighted its significance as one of the most prestigious colored gemstones to appear on the market in many years.
The auction house is pleased to present the full collection of ‘magnificent jewels’ to clients and collectors, emphasizing the historical and artistic value of each piece. The collection will be on display to the public for free from June 12 through June 16, with the live auction scheduled for June 17. These auctions not only offer insights into the history and craftsmanship of fine jewelry but also provide opportunities for enthusiasts to acquire pieces of exceptional rarity and beauty.