Marie Antoinette’s two diamond bracelets, that were sent away for safekeeping before her execution, are expected to sell for £3million at an auction today. She was exiled to Britain and when she died in 1851, her jewellery collection was divided among her three nieces and nephews, the Count and Countess of Chambord and the Duchess of Parma. In a portrait by Antoine-Jean Gros, painted in 1816, Marie-Theresa is wearing a pair of diamond bracelets remarkably similar to those she received from her mother. A VERY modern royal family! The stunning bracelets in silver and yellow gold, which are both made up of three strands and contain 112 diamonds, are being sold by Christie’s auction in Geneva, Switzerland on Tuesday. After the royal couple were executed in 1793 the jewellery was presented to their eldest daughter, 17-year-old Marie-Therese, known as Madame Royale – the only surviving member of the French royal family. In a portrait painted in 1816, Marie-Theresa is wearing a pair of diamond bracelets remarkably similar to those she received from her mother. The bracelets were presented to British auction house, Christie’s, by a mystery member of European royalty who is now selling them almost 250 years after Marie-Therese’s death. They have been billed as one of the last remaining possessions of Marie Antoinette’s rich jewelry collection that are still available for sale. Marie Antionette bought the matching bracelets for 250,000 livres in 1776, just two years after taking the throne with her husband King Louis XVI, paying for them partly with gemstones from her personal collection and with funds provided by her husband. The bracelets will be joined at Tuesday’s auction by a ruby and diamond Cartier bangle that once belonged to Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor and is expected to reach up to £1.62 million. The duchess’s jewelry collection was first put up for auction in 1987 after her death, where it sold for far more than originally estimated. Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee, married the Duke of Windsor, the former British King Edward VIII, after he abdicated the throne in December 1936 in order to marry her.

If you’re as magpie-like about jewellery as I am, you’ll always be on the lookout for new brands and original pieces to add to your collection. Their goal is to make pieces that ‘will be your go-to for years to come’. If you love keeping things unique and prefer to shop independent, these jewellery brands are worth checking out and keeping in mind for your next purchase. The brand’s founders, sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg, believe you shouldn’t just save beautiful jewellery for best, so the sculptural rings and earrings are as practical as they are elegant. This British brand was launched in the autumn of 2024 by Tofi Caroline Adedoyin, a former investment banking director. Her signature T-bar necklaces have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift. There are so many amazing affordable and mid-range jewellery brands out there today, with a plethora of choice no matter what your style. But along with the prominent brands we all know and love, there are a load of under-the-radar gems (no pun intended) out there just waiting to be discovered. All Grove & Vae jewellery is designed in London, and created using 14k gold vermeil and rhodium-plated sterling silver. Tilly Sveaas founded her eponymous brand in 2016. Born in Hong Kong to British-Norwegian parents, London-based Tilly has been a jewellery designer for over 25 years, creating her first pieces during an extended trip to Bali, where she still produces to this day. Otiumberg positions itself as a demi-fine jewellery brand.

Made by small workshops all over the world, each piece holds a story.

The brand focuses on creating timeless, versatile pieces tailored to the modern woman’s everyday wardrobe. The brand uses solid metals – not plated or vermeil, and promises no green fingers or brass rash. Made by small workshops all over the world, each piece holds a story. Prior to starting Bijoux De Mimi, Amelia attended Central Saint Martins. After working in the jewellery industry for 10 years, Amelia Bainbridge saw a gap in the market for jewellery that was both beautiful and affordable – and Auree was born in 2014. All Auree pieces are made with the highest quality solid gold, sterling silver or gold vermeil and natural gemstones. The pieces are gorgeous too – from delicate pendants to eye-catching hoops, available in either 18ct gold vermeil or sterling silver. It specialises in bright, colourful jewellery. With Love Darling believes in changing the world one piece of jewellery at a time. Crystals & Co. founders (and best friends) Emily Mackeogh and Leah O’Reilly aim to accessorise peoples lives with fun, high quality affordable jewellery. Founded by Amelia Hitchcock-Merritt in the middle of lockdown at just eighteen, Bijoux De Mimi became one of the fastest growing jewellery brands in the UK. I was tired of sacrificing style for quality, or my bank account for both’ says Neima Row founder Naomi Genes. Think timeless glamour meets modern minimalism, without the unattainable price tag. It always came with lengthy care instructions and still tarnished after only a few wears or turned my skin green’ she says. Items are produced in developing countries, giving the artisans income to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. Catherine ‘Catch’ Rhys Jones started her label out of a frustration with the jewellery she was buying. So she decided to make her own.

It was established in 2009, with the ethos that jewellery should say a lot about who you are, whether big and bold or delicate and gold. The brand is named after Olivia’s mother Deborah Louise who Olivia sadly lost to cancer in 2017. With the loss of her mother, Olivia felt life was too short to not be truly passionate about the everyday and D.Louise was born. Abby is a big believer in the talismanic and restorative power of jewellery, and strives to create designs that are both ethical and fashioned with love. Scream Pretty’s signature style is the curated ear – combining piercings and ear cuffs, to create bold stand out styling. The ranges include a collaboration with Vogue Williams. The eclectic collection draws inspiration from founder Abby Kaye’s past experiences and travels through India, as well as her childhood in London and love of nature. After growing up in Singapore, founder Lynette Ong left her job in finance to pursue a dream of using her creativity for the better. Pieces are made in sterling silver with 18ct gold vermeil. Founded by Olivia Jenkins in 2021, D. Louise creates timeless long-lasting yet affordable jewellery. Dreamt up on a bicycle ride through Rajasthan, India, the British jewellery brand Memara was launched in 2019, with the aim to create beautiful, timeless yet affordable demi-fine pieces. Olivia’s pursuit began when she identified a gap in the jewellery market – the need for everyday pieces that wouldn’t fade after a few wears – with this every piece comes with a lifetime guarantee against colour fading. Award winning British Jewellery Brand Scream Pretty was founded by Lucy Lee with her sister Jessica Pearce in 2016. This family run business designs jewellery for self expression; affordable, stylish and fun – jewellery to shout about.