Paris is one of the most amazing cities in the world to visit museums and galleries full of antiques, jewellery and history. One of the most fascinating histories of France is the story of their Crown Jewels. 

Matthew and Alyce were lucky enough to see some of what’s left of the French Crown Jewels on their recent business trip to Paris. In this episode they take you on the winding journey of where the collection came from, and more importantly ask the question of where they all are today. Being known for featuring some of the most beautiful diamonds in the world with incredible provenance, Matthew and Alyce share their favourite pieces from the collection, along with where you can visit them for yourself. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• The history and significance of the French crown jewels
• Why the majority of the French crown jewel collection was sold at an 1887 auction
• Incredibly famous and valuable diamonds from the collection 
• Where you can see the remaining pieces of the collection 
• Lost jewels that have recently been discovered in auctions or private collections

MORE INFORMATION

https://www.courtville.ie/ 

A French Belle Epoque sapphire and diamond double row cluster ring in platinum.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8UAu0hMloP/?img_index=1 

The French Crown Jewels in The Galerie d’Apollon

https://www.louvre.fr/en/explore/the-palace/sun-gold-and-diamonds 

Social Media

• IG - @CourtvilleAntiques
• FB - @Courtvilleantiques
• Tik Tok - @matthew.weldon    
• YouTube - @courtvilleantique
• Pinterest - @courtville

QUOTES

We've actually recently seen these pieces in the flesh. But it's important to get an understanding of the history of these pieces, because the French crown jewels definitely had a lot of ups and downs and they accumulated slowly. - Matthew Weldon 

I think that's really important to mention for these particular jewels, we think it's a little bit of an icky story. Well, it doesn't really matter. If it's beautiful, people can overlook the ‘ick’. - Alyce Ketcher 

When it was acquired by the French family in 1661, it was considered one of the most beautiful diamonds in the world. - Alyce Ketcher 

What I really like about some of these old, iconic diamonds is that they're not shaped like any other stone. - Matthew Weldon 

Where are the crown jewels today? Anybody could have a piece on and not know, that's the truth of it. - Alyce Ketcher 

KEYWORDS

#crownjewels #diamond #gemstones #louvre #history #france #royalfamily