Mysterious Cartier Pearls In Relation To Catherine The Great

A mysterious necklace that could have belonged to Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, auctioned by Bonhams in New York in December. Billionaire Horace Elgin Dodge Automobile has bought the necklace from Cartier jewelry in Paris in 1920 for his wife Anna Thomson Dodge at the astonishing price of $ 825 000 - about $ 8 million in today's dollars.

Cartier original bill states that the "five row pearl necklace, consisting of 389 pearls weighing 4305 grains" was accompanied by an "enamel clasp representing Catherine, Empress of Russia" and "two diamond brooches replacement." The accounts of several newspapers in 20 years suggests that the accounts were actually once belonged to Catherine, Anna Thomson Dodge's heirs maintain that Horace bought jewelry from Cartier, on this basis.

Now reduced to three part consists of 224 pearls and two Cartier diamond clasps, the necklace (above) is estimated at $ 500.000 - $ 700.000 - a lot of money, of course, but much less than Horace originally paid. The reason for depreciation is less to do with the loss of part of the fashion market changes and evolves jewelry.

In 1920 before the advent of cultured pearls, were very rare and valuable, much more than diamonds. Today, pearls have become more common, while diamonds are more valuable, but a true connoisseur recognizes the value of the Dodge collar, which is made from all natural pearls.