As someone who lives and breathes jewellery, I am very fortunate to handle remarkable pieces on a regular basis. But every so often, a jewel comes along that makes even the most seasoned specialist pause, the kind of creation that stirs the imagination and reminds you why you fell in love with this world in the first place. So, if money were no object and I could travel back in time to any auction, anywhere in the world, raising my paddle (or opening my wallet) without restraint, this is the ultimate jewellery box I would amass, one brimming with history, glamour, and a dash of noble provenance.
The Bracelet
The very first piece I would purchase would have to be Wallis Simpson’s Cartier Panthère bracelet. This would be my dream acquisition. I still remember watching a clip of it go under the hammer while I was at university. I already knew I wanted to work in auctions, but seeing the energy of the auction room, the competitive bidding, the remarkable provenance, and the sheer beauty of this piece only cemented that this was the perfect career for me. And as a young twenty-something, the story of the king who gave up his throne for the love of his life felt utterly romantic, adding a layer of legend and intrigue to the bracelet that has stayed with me ever since.
So inspired was I by this bracelet that I even went on to purchase a Cartier Panthère ring to celebrate my 30th birthday, a personal nod to one of the first pieces that sparked my passion for jewellery and the auction world.
The Ring
For the centrepiece of my jewellery box, without hesitation, it would have to be The Oppenheimer Blue. An emerald cut – my favourite diamond cut – in the most perfect shade of my favourite colour, blue, this extraordinary gem sold at Christie’s Geneva in 2016 for over US$50 million. Honestly, in my opinion, it’s one of the most incredible diamonds in the world. Just imagine it catching the light, commanding attention, and completely stealing the show – a ring that’s bold, brilliant, and truly unforgettable.
The Necklace
I would choose the Napoléon Diamond Necklace, a piece steeped in history, romance, and grandeur. Originally a gift from Emperor Napoleon to his second wife, Marie-Louise, to celebrate the birth of their son in 1811, this show-stopping gold necklace was designed by Etienne Nitôt and Sons of Paris and features astonishing diamonds, including pendeloques, briolettes, and old mine-cut stones from India and Brazil, with a total weight estimated at 263 carats.
The story behind the necklace makes it even more captivating. Following Napoleon’s fall, Marie-Louise returned to her Habsburg family in Vienna, taking the necklace with her. It eventually passed through generations of European royalty before being acquired by Harry Winston. Today, it resides at the Smithsonian Institution, a historical icon displayed alongside other legendary jewels. To me, this necklace is more than just a collection of diamonds, it’s a piece of living history.
The Tiara
Every dream jewellery box deserves a tiara, and mine would undoubtedly feature the Bourbon-Parma Tiara by Chaumet. Crafted in 1919 by the renowned jeweller Joseph Chaumet, this Belle Époque masterpiece was originally a wedding gift from the Duchess of Doudeauville to her daughter, Princess Hedwige de La Rochefoucauld, upon her marriage to Prince Sixtus of Bourbon-Parma.
To me, the Bourbon-Parma Tiara embodies the perfect balance of romance, history, and sophistication. It’s a piece that whispers tales of aristocratic weddings and royal soirées, making it an essential addition to any dream jewellery box.
Every piece in this jewellery box tells its own story. Together, they form a collection that is not just about diamonds and gold, but one of history, of great love and a touch of magic. If money were truly no object, this is the jewellery box I would assemble – one filled with dreams, legends, and a touch of royal sparkle, each piece reminding me why I fell in love with this world in the first place.
By Lauren Boustridge, Head of Fine Jewels & Timepieces, Sydney
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December 2025