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【Spain】Expert Appraisal of Zapatero’s Jewelry Lacks Key Analysis to Determine Origin

Jun 15, 2026

Editor’s Note

**Editor’s Note:** This report highlights gaps in the expert appraisal of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s seized jewelry, with sources suggesting recent acquisitions of likely Arab origin. The investigation into tax fraud and smuggling continues.

The expert appraisal of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s jewelry does not include the key analysis needed to determine its origin.

Sector sources estimate to ABC that the pieces must be recent acquisitions and, based on their materials, place them in an Arab context.

Jewelry Seized in Search of Rodríguez Zapatero’s Office

(ABC)

The judge is investigating Zapatero for tax fraud and smuggling related to the jewelry found in his office.

Borja Méndez
15/06/2026
Updated at 13:12h.

The mystery of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s jewelry. The National Court and the National Police are trying to trace the provenance of the pieces seized from the former Prime Minister’s safe, valued at 1.32 million euros. Sector sources have explained to ABC that the appraisal report does not include the detail of the hallmark or the contrast mark, which are key elements to determine their origin.

“If it is not on the jewelry, it confirms they were not purchased in Spain,” the same source explains.

They point to the Arab market and a recent acquisition.

Thus, the report from the prestigious firm Ansorena has left no one indifferent. Even the former president’s spokesperson had to apologize for estimating the total amount at between 30,000 and 50,000 euros. However, the analysis by judicial experts and the Gemological Institute has not cleared up the major doubt: knowing the origin of the pieces.

Sector sources consulted by ABC have expressed surprise that the analysis does not include whether the jewelry has “hallmarks.” This circumstance is key because it determines traceability and would help to know where they could have come from. It is worth recalling that Zapatero’s secretary told the UDEF that they were from an inheritance of the former president’s wife and from institutional gifts.

Related news: Zapatero faces up to 10 years in prison for tax fraud and smuggling over the jewelry.

Nati Villanueva

Judge José Luis Calama of the National Court requested the UDEF to appraise the pieces to determine their value and origin. The amount is now known. The origin remains unknown, and for this, the ‘hallmarks’ of the pieces are key, according to these same sources. If these marks are absent, their provenance would be even more suspicious.

“If the piece has a contrast mark, that would be the only way to determine its origin. We can only make assumptions, and even less without having the pieces in hand. It surprises me that the Gemological Institute’s report only analyzed one piece. I don’t know if it’s due to lack of time or urgency. All pieces should be examined at that level to have a clear idea of the stone quality,” explains David Durán, director of ‘Durán Subastas’, to ABC.

Another consulted voice, in this case Fernando Preciado, a judicial expert in precious stones, focuses on the fact that the expert report shows that Ansorena subcontracts the IGE (Spanish Gemological Institute) only to obtain more precise information about the precious stones and their treatments, for the most valuable jewelry, and to be more specific about the replacement value.

“The sapphires are of Thai origin, while the emeralds are from Zambia, and the rubies are treated with lead glass. This mix of origins and treatments suggests recent acquisitions, not an old inheritance. This fact alone does not give us clues about the manufacturing origin of these pieces,” this expert reveals to ABC.

Recent and Arab

Preciado details that treated rubies significantly reduce their value, which is relevant in such a high appraisal.

“This treatment of filling fissures with lead glass in rubies reduces the value of the ruby by up to 80%. That treatment serves to improve the appearance of the gem, but on the contrary, it devalues its price. This treatment is relatively new (it was introduced to the market around 2006, which suggests these pieces are relatively new),” he states.

This judicial expert also highlights the absence of hallmarks or manufacturing marks, which makes it difficult to trace the exact origin of the jewelry.

“The pieces combine gems from different origins and standard 18-karat gold, suggesting an international assembly, possibly in an Arab luxury context. The contrast between valuable gems and cheap rubies in some pieces is striking and may indicate substitutions or uninformed acquisitions,” he adds.

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Finally, Preciado highlights that “normally this type of jewelry is manufactured and certified directly.”

“In this case, no mention is made of any certificate,” he laments.

If there is one thing all experts agree on, it is that all jewelry sold in Spain must bear a contrast mark. The absence of this detail, which at least does not appear in the official appraisal, suggests it was sold outside Spain. The mystery of these pieces will continue for at least a few more days. It remains to be seen whether Zapatero will provide the appropriate answers when he testifies this week in the National Court.

Topics: National Court, National Police, Spain, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero

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⏰ Published on: June 15, 2026