Marie Antoinette's Pearls Up For Auction

Recently I told you about the gorgeous pearls that will hit the block at Sotheby`s in December. Of course, their toughest competitor Christie`s also has a jewel auction in December with another set of pearls with historical provenance. The necklace shown here is made of natural pearls, diamonds and rubies and will go on sale at Christie`s in London on December 12. The pearls once graced the neck of Marie Antoinette and were smuggled out of revolutionary France by Lady Elizabeth, the Countess of Sutherland. The pearls were later mounted on to a necklace for the wedding of Lady Elizabeth`s grandson and have remained in the family for over 200 years. The necklace was made in 1849 and has a fringe of 21 graduated drop-shaped gray natural pearls each suspected from an old-cut diamond collet connected to a diamond ribbon which intertwines with a ruby collar. The collar is set with 12 button-shaped gray natural pearls mounted in gold. This amazing piece is estimated to sell for between £350,000 and £400,000.