Editor’s Note
A piece of royal history has shattered auction records. The Marie-Thérèse Pink, a diamond once owned by Marie Antoinette, has sold for over $10 million, tripling its pre-sale estimate. The gem’s turbulent journey from the French queen to the auction block adds a layer of historical intrigue to its dazzling price.
The iconic Marie‑Thérèse Pink, the diamond of Marie Antoinette that she lost after the French Revolution, has set a new historic record in jewelry auctions: it tripled its price and sold for over $10 million.
The auction of this legendary diamond was organized by the prestigious auction house Christie’s in New York. The Marie‑Thérèse Pink, an elegant purple-pink diamond weighing 10.38 carats, was sold at the ‘Magnificent Jewels‘ auction for $13.98 million.
The sale took place on June 17, 2025, setting a historic record for Christie’s. The piece, mounted on a ring designed by JAR, far exceeded expectations and reaffirmed the relevance of the Marie Antoinette diamond in the historic jewelry market.
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The Marie Antoinette diamond is notable not only for its beauty but also for its origin in the legendary Golconda mines, famous for producing the purest gems. Its marvelous purple-pink hue and kite-shaped cut make it an exceptional jewel.
This diamond originated from the royal collection confiscated after the French Revolution. It was entrusted to her daughter, Duchess Marie Thérèse of Angoulême, who inherited it and later passed it to her niece, the Duchess of Chambord.
Following the will, it eventually reached Queen Marie Thérèse of Bavaria, described as “a pink solitaire diamond from Aunt Chambord.” Thus, the stone maintained a continuous royal lineage to the present day.
Its last public appearance was at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva in 1996. Since then, it remained in private hands until its recent exhibition at Christie’s.
The Christie’s auction demonstrated that demand for pieces with historical provenance continues to rise: the Marie‑Thérèse Pink tripled its initial estimate of $5–7 million to reach $13.98 million at the magnetic ‘Magnificent Jewels‘ sale.
The original case incorporates a gold and silver ornament with an Austrian Imperial Order from 1868, enhancing its connection to European royalty and its passage through Vienna.
