The Legendary 10.38-Carat Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond: A Royal Legacy Reborn Through JAR’s Masterful Design and a Record-Breaking Auction
On June 17, 2025, at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York, a dazzling 10.38-carat pink diamond captivated jewel enthusiasts, collectors, and historians alike. This extraordinary gem is not only renowned for its mesmerizing hue and remarkable size but also steeped in a royal legacy that connects it to the French monarchy, particularly to Marie Antoinette, the ill-fated Queen of France. The diamond sold for an astounding $13.98 million, nearly doubling its highest pre-sale estimate and solidifying its status as the star of the event.
Named the “Marie-Thérèse Pink Historic JAR Colored Diamond Ring,” the diamond’s provenance traces back to Duchess Marie-Thérèse d’Angoulême, the eldest daughter of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. The duchess’s jewelry collection has long been enveloped in myth and intrigue, with many pieces originally belonging to her mother, whose life and tragic end during the French Revolution have inspired centuries of fascination. It is said that in 1791, during Marie Antoinette’s ill-fated attempt to flee Paris, she entrusted her collection of extravagant jewels to her loyal hairdresser, hoping to smuggle them out of the city. Though historians have yet to definitively verify this story, the possibility adds a tantalizing aura to the diamond’s past. Whether this pink diamond was among those jewels remains unknown, but it undeniably played a prominent role within Marie-Thérèse’s collection and was passed down through generations of French and Bavarian royalty.
Following the revolution, the surviving royal family faced exile and upheaval. In 1796, Marie-Thérèse returned to Austria, bringing with her part of the royal jewels, possibly including this very diamond. The gem was then inherited by her niece, Marie-Thérèse de Chambord, who subsequently gifted it to her niece, Maria Theresa, the last Queen of Bavaria. Maria Theresa’s will explicitly references this precious stone as “a pink solitaire diamond from Aunt Chambord,” confirming its transmission within the royal lineage. This continuity within one family for nearly two centuries is a rarity in itself, preserving not just a gemstone but a tangible link to European history.
The diamond’s journey through time also includes an intriguing chapter from the late 19th century. Around 1868, it is believed that Marie-Thérèse de Chambord had the diamond set into a delicate hairpin crafted from gold and silver—a fashionable accessory among aristocratic women of the era. The hairpin, along with its original case, was included in the Christie’s auction, providing a glimpse into how the gem was once worn and cherished. In the 21st century, this historic gem was given a contemporary makeover by Joel Arthur Rosenthal, better known as JAR, one of the most revered jewelry artists alive today. His masterful reimagining of the diamond into a striking blackened platinum ring, accented with tiny round colorless diamonds, breathed new life into the gem.
JAR’s design transforms the diamond into a modern masterpiece. The main stone is cut into a kite shape, a form that accentuates its brilliance and unique color. At the peak of the diamond, a crest motif subtly evokes both a crown and the fleur-de-lis, a symbol synonymous with French royalty. This thoughtful detail elegantly ties the diamond’s modern setting to its royal heritage. JAR, founded in 1977, has earned accolades from fashion icons and celebrities alike—Diane von Furstenberg called him “the Fabergé of our time,” and actress Ellen Barkin hailed him as “the Matisse of our time.” Known for intricate pavé work, innovative materials, and bold color juxtapositions, JAR’s work is considered art as much as it is jewelry, blending craftsmanship with storytelling.
Scientifically, the diamond’s rarity is remarkable. Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International Head of Jewelry, highlights that this pink diamond is “likely from the prized Indian region of Golconda,” historically the first and most famous source of colored diamonds. The Golconda mines are legendary, producing some of the world’s most coveted gems, including the renowned Hope Blue Diamond. Unlike many other colored diamonds, pink diamonds do not owe their color to chemical impurities such as nitrogen or boron. Instead, their striking pink hue arises from unique distortions within the crystal lattice structure, caused by immense geological pressures during the stone’s formation. This makes pink diamonds among the rarest and most valuable colored diamonds globally.
According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), pink diamonds’ scarcity and color intensity exponentially increase their value, especially when combined with significant carat weight and excellent cut quality. To find a pink diamond of over 10 carats, with such a storied history and exceptional craftsmanship in its setting, is exceedingly rare. Kadakia sums it up: “It has everything you could want in a piece of jewelry—rarity, style, incredible history, and above all, stunning beauty.”
This auction is also a testament to a broader trend in the world of fine jewelry: the fusion of antique gemstones and contemporary design. Through JAR’s creative vision, a centuries-old diamond has been reborn, bridging the past with the present and making it wearable art for a new generation. JAR’s approach to jewelry goes beyond decoration; it is about forging an emotional bond between the wearer and the piece, telling stories of identity, culture, and legacy.
Moreover, the auction highlights jewelry collecting as an intersection of luxury, history, and cultural preservation. Each heirloom jewel encapsulates stories of power, passion, and personal drama. This pink diamond, linked to French royalty, not only represents a high-value asset but also serves as a silent witness to France’s tumultuous transition from monarchy to modernity. Collectors’ enthusiasm for such pieces reflects a deep respect for history and an enduring fascination with beauty that transcends time.
In the contemporary global market, colored diamonds, especially pink diamonds, have emerged as some of the most sought-after gems. Data shows that prices for rare colored diamonds continue to climb steadily, with auction records being set year after year. Wealthy collectors and investors view these gemstones not only as symbols of status but as valuable assets that appreciate over time. Pink diamonds, due to their natural rarity and unique geological formation, hold a special place in this landscape, often outperforming other precious stones in investment returns.
Beyond financial and aesthetic value, pink diamonds carry rich symbolic meanings. In Western culture, the color pink is often associated with romance, femininity, and elegance, while pink diamonds symbolize a rare blend of beauty and power. The royal connection further enhances this symbolism, embedding the stone with narratives of grandeur, resilience, and heritage. As such, this diamond can be seen as a bridge connecting the intimate personal stories of the French monarchy with universal themes of love, loss, and legacy.
Joel Arthur Rosenthal’s career also enriches this narrative. JAR is not just a jeweler but an enigmatic figure whose works command immense respect in the art and fashion worlds. Known for his meticulous craftsmanship and secretive approach to sales, JAR rarely discloses prices publicly and often accepts commissions by invitation only. His clientele includes some of the world’s most famous names—royalty, celebrities, and influential collectors—further elevating the allure and exclusivity of his creations. Through his work, JAR challenges conventional ideas about jewelry, elevating it to the realm of fine art.
Jewelry auctions themselves have evolved into cultural events where history, art, and commerce intertwine. Auctions like Christie’s Magnificent Jewels gather experts, collectors, historians, and media from around the globe. These gatherings foster scholarship, appreciation, and dialogue around these precious artifacts. The impressive final bid for this pink diamond is not just a commercial success; it is a celebration of heritage, artistry, and human fascination with beauty.
In summary, the 10.38-carat Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond stands as an extraordinary testament to the intersection of natural wonder, royal history, and artistic innovation. It is much more than a rare gemstone—it is a piece of history, an emblem of a bygone era, and a contemporary work of art that connects centuries. Its journey from the French royal courts to the glittering stage of a 21st-century auction encapsulates a story of survival, transformation, and timeless allure.
The legacy of this pink diamond reminds us that the true value of jewelry lies not just in its sparkle, but in the stories it carries—stories of love and loss, of heritage and innovation, of human craftsmanship and nature’s miracles. As the pink diamond enters a new chapter with its latest owner, its radiance will continue to inspire awe and admiration, embodying the essence of beauty that transcends time.