At Sotheby’s Geneva sale of Magnificent and Noble Jewels on the 17th May 2011 a stunning emerald tiara considered the most important to come to auction in 30 years broke auction records and sold for CHF 11,282,500/ $12,736,927, the highest price ever achieved for a tiara at auction.

This magnificent and rare emerald and diamond tiara, formerly in the collection of princess Katherina Henckel Von Donnersmarck, circa 1900, broke auction records as the highest price paid for a tiara (CHF 11,282,500 or US 12 million) and for an emerald jewel. Estimate CHF 4,600.000 – CHF 9,200,000. SOLD FOR CHF 11,282,500

Commenting on this evening’s sale, David Bennett, Chairman of Sotheby’s Jewellery Department for Europe and the Middle East, said: “Sotheby’s was honoured to be able to offer perhaps the grandest piece of jewellery to come to sale in over 30 years and the market responded with enthusiasm. ” The total for the entire sale of Magnificent and Noble Jewels was CHF 78,944,900/ $89,121,687 (est. CHF 41.9 – 69 million / $ 47.3 – 77.9 million

Lot 443 SOLD FOR CHF 11,282,500/ $12,736,927 was the star of the show. It is a majestic emerald and diamond tiara commissioned for Princess Katharina Henckel Von Donnersmarck in early 1900. The family’s jewellery collection was apparently on the same level as many of the key royal figures of Europe at the time. Six bidders competed for the magnificent and extremely rare emerald and diamond tiara.

The emeralds on this tiara are truly amazing, partly because of the sheer size of them and partly because of the richness of colour. When you look at them it is almost as if they are actually producing light they are so vibrant. The emeralds are from the best source of which is Colombia. These eleven large stones are pear shaped and collectively weigh over 500cts. It is believed that they may have previously belonged to a Maharaja who held emeralds in a very high regard.