Napoleon’s Lost Diamond Brooch Sells for $4.4 Million at Geneva Auction

A diamond brooch lost by Napoleon Bonaparte has sold for a stunning $4.4 million. The sale happened at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva on November 12, 2025. The jewel was lost as the French emperor fled the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Its final price shattered all pre-sale expectations. According to Sotheby’s, the brooch fetched over 3.5 million Swiss francs. This result highlights the enduring fascination with Napoleonic history and artifacts.

Historic Jewelry Finds a New Home

The oval-shaped brooch features a central diamond weighing over 13 carats. It is surrounded by smaller cut diamonds. The piece can also be worn as a pendant.

Its hammer price was 2.85 million Swiss francs. The final figure includes additional buyer’s fees. Before the auction, experts estimated it would sell for only about 200,000 francs.

The buyer was identified only as a private collector. Sotheby’s did not disclose the seller’s name. For over two centuries, the brooch was an heirloom of Prussia’s Royal House of Hohenzollern.

A Story of Flight and Recovery

The jewel’s story is tied to a frantic retreat. Napoleon lost it while fleeing the combined forces of the Duke of Wellington and Prussia’s Field Marshal von Blücher. His carriages, laden with personal items, got stuck on muddy roads.

The brooch was found among the emperor’s abandoned belongings. Its provenance from such a pivotal historical moment fueled intense bidding. Another Napoleonic item, a large green beryl from his coronation, also sold for 17 times its estimate.

Experts link the high price to renewed interest in Napoleonic jewels. This follows the recent high-profile theft of similar items from the Louvre Museum in Paris. The allure of owning a tangible piece of this history proved irresistible to collectors.

The multi-million-dollar sale of the Napoleon diamond brooch confirms that artifacts with a powerful story remain among the most coveted treasures in the world.

Thought you’d like to know

What was the final sale price of Napoleon’s brooch?

The diamond brooch sold for over 3.5 million Swiss francs. The final price, with fees, was approximately $4.4 million USD. This far exceeded its pre-auction estimate.

How did Napoleon lose the brooch?

He lost it while retreating from the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The jewel was in a carriage that got stuck on a muddy road during the escape. It was later recovered from his abandoned belongings.

Who bought the diamond brooch?

Sotheby’s announced the buyer is a private collector. The auction house did not reveal the individual’s identity. The seller also remained anonymous.

Where was the brooch for the last 200 years?

It was held by the Prussian Royal House of Hohenzollern. The jewel was part of their family heirlooms for centuries. It passed down through generations until the recent sale.

Did other Napoleon items sell at the same auction?

Yes. A green beryl worn at Napoleon’s 1804 coronation also sold. It fetched 838,000 francs, massively surpassing its estimate. The auction featured several historic lots.