Napoleon Diamond Necklace

One of the most spectacular  diamond pieces of jewelry in the Smithsonian Institution is the Napoleon all-diamond necklace. Originally thought to have been owned by Catherine the Great of Russia, it was presented by the Emperor Napoleon of France to his second wife, Marie-Louise of Austria on the birth of their son in 1811.

The silver and gold necklace contains 172 diamonds weighing 275 carats; 28 oval and cushion cut diamonds, dangling 19 briolette-cut oval and pear shaped diamonds and accented by small, round diamonds and diamond set motifs. The diamonds are cut in “old mine” style, precursor to the modern brilliant cut, have a high degree of fire but less brilliance.

The necklace has an estimated total gem weight of 275 carats, with the largest diamond weighing approximately 10 carats. When Marie-Louise died in 1847, the necklace was given to her sister-in-law, Archduchess Sophie of Austria, who removed two stones for the purpose of shortening it. The two stones were made into earrings but their whereabouts is unknown.

In 1872, the necklace was bequeathed to the Archduchess’ son, Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria. In 1948, Archduke Ludwig’s grandson, Prince Franz Joseph of Liechtenstein, sold the necklace to a French collector who then sold it to Harry Winston in 1960. Marjorie Merriweather Post obtained the jeweled accessory from Winston and donated it to the Smithsonian in 1962.

It’s difficult to assign a value to a piece like this today. In 1993 however, the auction house Christies in Geneva sold another similar piece that Napoleon had given to Marie-Louise that was composed of rubies and diamonds that sold for $13 million!

You won’t find valuable pieces of jewelry or gems here, but you’re sure to find something that your heart desires!