A Legendary Emerald Returns to the Spotlight
Crafted in 1960 by Cartier for Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan and gifted to his wife Nina Dyer, this brooch (which can also be converted into a pendant) showcases a 37-carat Colombian emerald, encircled by 20 marquise-cut diamonds.
After joining Van Cleef & Arpels and then Harry Winston, the gem reappeared at Christie’s Geneva 55 years after its initial sale, becoming the star of the Magnificent Jewels session on November 12, 2024. Sold for CHF 7,765,000, it broke the world record for an emerald at auction, previously held by the Bulgari brooch gifted to Elizabeth Taylor in 2011 ($6.5 million). Extracted from Muzo in Colombia, the stone is not only a historical piece, but also an extremely rare specimen: untreated, perfectly homogeneous in color, and of such fineness that it appears much more voluminous than its 37 carats. François Curiel, president of Christie’s Europe, describes it as "one of the rarest treasures in the world".