The Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond: Royal Legacy Reimagined

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A Jewel of Royal Provenance

Few jewels encapsulate the allure of history quite like the Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond. Weighing 10.38 carats, this fancy purple-pink modified kite brilliant-cut diamond is more than a breathtaking gemstone—it is a tangible link to the opulence and tragedy of pre-revolutionary France. As it heads to auction at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in New York, collectors and connoisseurs are offered a unique opportunity to own a piece of European royal history—now reimagined by the master of contemporary jewellery, JAR.

To watch the official video from Christie’s on the Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond, click here.

It has everything you could want in a piece of jewellery. The stone — likely from the prized Indian region of Golconda — has several shades of soft colours, flashing purple and pink from different angles. And it’s been transformed into a masterpiece by JAR, all while carrying the splendour of royal provenance.

Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International Head of Jewellery

From Versailles to Vienna: The Journey of a Diamond

The story begins with Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France before the French Revolution, whose legacy remains inextricably entwined with grandeur, fashion, and exquisite taste. Among the personal jewels she assembled outside the official crown collection, this pink diamond is believed to have been one of her cherished treasures.

Facing imminent danger during the Flight to Varennes in 1791, Marie Antoinette entrusted her most valuable jewels to her loyal coiffeur. Though the queen would not survive the Revolution, her jewels did—and they found their way to her only surviving child, Marie-Thérèse d’Angoulême.

The stone was then passed down through generations of European nobility: from the Duchess de Chambord to Queen Marie Theresa of Bavaria, who referred to it in her will as “a pink solitaire diamond from Aunt Chambord.” Its origins, likely from the legendary Golconda mines, only deepen the mystique surrounding this regal gem.

As Christie’s reflects, “This diamond is not only a rare natural wonder, but also a survivor—a silent witness to the fall of the French monarchy and the enduring spirit of its royal lineage.”

A Modern Setting by JAR

Today, the diamond has been given new life in a contemporary ring crafted by JAR, the Paris-based jeweler known for his peerless artistry and bold vision. Set in blackened platinum and accented with round diamonds, the ring retains a timeless elegance, echoing the refinement of its royal past while embracing a modern silhouette. The jewel is presented in JAR’s signature pink case, a fitting frame for a stone of such illustrious history.

As Christie’s notes, “The Marie Thérèse Pink Diamond is a jewel that transcends time—an exceptional gem from one of history’s most fascinating dynasties, reinterpreted by one of the most imaginative jewelry artists of our time.”

Adding to its historic gravitas, the lot includes a 19th-century gold and silver hairpin—its original setting—still housed in a velvet case bearing a faint Austrian Imperial Warrant. Likely commissioned by the Duchess de Chambord in 1868, it underscores the lineage and continuity of ownership over centuries.

A Rare and Coveted Hue

Fancy purple-pink diamonds are amongst the rarest in the world. Their color is formed by distortions in the crystal lattice and influenced by trace elements like hydrogen or boron. This unusual geological history gives rise to a captivating hue—neither wholly pink nor purple but a beguiling blend of both. According to a 2025 GIA report, the stone is a natural Fancy Purple-Pink of SI1 clarity, a combination that adds immeasurable value to its provenance.

At Auction: A Regal Opportunity

Offered with an estimate of $3,000,000–5,000,000, the Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond will undoubtedly be one of the most watched lots at Christie’s upcoming auction. For collectors, it is not merely a ring—it is an heirloom of imperial legacy, a symbol of resilience and elegance, and a celebration of exceptional gemology and design.

This is more than a jewel. It is history, reborn.