
Pink sapphire brooch sold for SEK 13.4 million, 19 times more than the valuation
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Princess Birgitta, the second oldest of the king's sisters, died in 2024. Her private jewelry collection, which was not part of the court's official jewel collection, was sold by her heirs at the Royal & Noble Jewels auction in Geneva.
- Take a deep breath before this one, the auctioneer urged the audience during the live Royal & Noble Jewels auction in Geneva.
A brooch belonging to Princess Birgitta - with an oval, salmon-pink padparade sapphire in the center and a floral pattern of diamonds around it - was about to be auctioned.
The brooch, valued at around SEK 700,000, had risen sharply in price already during the preliminary bidding. After intensive live bidding, it finally went under the hammer for the equivalent of SEK 13.4 million - 19 times more than it was valued at.
During the auction in Geneva, several of Princess Birgitta's jewels were sold.
Above all, it was the pink sapphire brooch that stood out. But among the objects was also a sapphire and diamond necklace with matching earrings, which has a unique history, and which went under the hammer for the equivalent of 10 million kroner.
The sapphires in the necklace and earrings are believed to originate from Tsarist Russia, and are said to have been owned by the mother of the last Russian Tsar, Maria Feodorovna. She survived the Russian Revolution, moved to Denmark and is believed to have sold the sapphires to Tsar Ferdinand of Bulgaria. He in turn gave them as a wedding present to Princess Birgitta's mother Princess Sibylla in 1932.
The necklace was worn by Princess Birgitta at both Crown Princess Victoria's and Princess Madeleine's weddings in 2010 and 2013.
Princess Birgitta had a large collection of jewels and jewelry when she died in 2024. The jewelry did not belong to the court's official collection of jewels, but was privately owned by the princess, and has now been sold by her heirs.
Among the items were also a pearl necklace with diamonds that Princess Birgitta received as a christening gift from Prince Bertil, several jeweled rings, a diamond bracelet and a pearl bracelet with an emerald clasp.
The objects were valued at around SEK 7.1 million and were sold for a total of SEK 25 million.
But not everyone is positive about the sale. Herman Lindqvist, royal expert and historian, has previously criticized the auction in an interview in Svensk Damtidning.
- I think it is inappropriate to sell items like this. It is something that should be preserved within the family. Then of course they can do what they want with their inheritance, but I don't think it's either appropriate or tasteful to do that, he tells the newspaper.
Princess Birgitta was the second oldest of the king's sisters and passed away in 2024.

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