The Beau Sancy diamond was recently auctioned off for USD 9.7 million. The 34.98 carat diamond, which was worn by Marie de Medici at her coronation as queen of France in 1610, is over 400 years old.

The diamond fetched over double its USD 2 – 4,000,000 estimate when put on auction at Sotheby’s in Geneva on May 15 and was bought by an anonymous telephone bidder, who paid CHF9,042,500 for the jewel. The diamond was sold by the Royal House of Prussia and was formerly in the Royal Collections of France, England, Prussia and The House of Orange.

The pear shaped, double rose cut diamond has been passed around many royal families. As well as appearing at Marie de Medici’s coronation, the jewel was pawned by Mary Stuart in order to fund her brother’s, the future Charles II, fight for the English throne following the English Civil War. It was also the center piece in the crown of the first king of Prussia.

Nicola Peyton, nicola@romania-insider.com