8. Magnificent Emerald and Diamond Necklace ($9.9 million)
This necklace was a part of Bolivian tycoon’s collection, Simón Itturi Patiño. He was also known as The Tin King. Thus, it was among the most important offered lots during Christie’s Geneva auction of Magnificent Jewels on November 2013. One anonymous buyer seemed to know how precious this means. He bid for $9,935,280.
Originally in 1937, Cartier made this magnificent necklace to honor a 45-carat emerald cross. And this extremely rare gem was once belonged to Queen Isabel II of Spain and to Empress Eugenie of France.
Cartier selected over 100 carats of the best emeralds available at the time to create this necklace. Then in January 1938, Patiño bought the necklace (apart from the emerald cross) for his wife.
This necklace comprises twelve octagonal and hexagonal-cut emeralds. They weigh 108.74 carats. They are separated by twin old European-cut diamonds. And they weigh 59.36 carats. These are mounted in gold collets.
These emeralds are from Colombia. Eight of them show minor oil indications while the other four show none.
