Diamond necklace that ‘helped’ bring down Marie Antoinette sells for $4.8 million

A diamond-studded necklace believed to be linked to a scandal that accelerated the downfall of Marie Antoinette, queen of France in the 18th century, was sold at auction in Geneva on Wednesday (13) for 4.26 million francs. Swiss (equivalent to US$4.81 million or R$27.9 million).

Offered for sale by an Asian private collector, the Georgian-era piece containing 300 carats of diamonds sold for more than expected after a long bidding battle. It had previously been valued at up to 2 million francs, according to Sotheby’s.

“It was an electric night,” said Andres White Correal, a jewelry specialist at Sotheby’s, after the evening sale of the necklace to an unidentified buyer.