Diamond necklace that graced George VI's Coronation and was linked to scandal that ruined Marie Antoinette's reputation is set to fetch £2.1m at auction By Ryan Prosser and Carol Woolton Published: 08:05 EDT, 26 October 2024 | Updated: 08:07 EDT, 26 October 2024 e-mail View comments A diamond necklace which was linked to a scandal which ruined Marie Antoinette's reputation is set to fetch £2.1million at an auction.
The antique necklace, which was also worn at the coronations of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II , is set to go under the gavel at Sotheby's Geneva on November 13, with bids accepted from next Friday. Dating to around 1776, the rare piece is made from 300-carat diamonds, believed to have come from India 's famous Golconda mines, in a scarf-style design with a pair of tassels. Some experts believe that the necklace may have been made from some of the diamonds at the centre of the Affair of the Diamond Necklace, the 1780’s theft from Crown jewellers Boehmer and Bassenge orchestrated by Comtesse Jeanne de la Motte.
She forged Antoinette's signature to get the necklace. Though innocent, the queen's reputation never recovered. A diamond necklace worn at two coronations and linked to Marie Antoinette's downfall is to be auctioned next month The antique necklace is made of 300-carat diamonds from a famous Indian mine, and is expected to fetch £2.
1million Comtesse Jeanne de la Motte forged Marie Antoinette's (pictured) signature to get the necklace. Though innoce.