# Extravagant Crown Auctions The Sotheby's Auction Fetches a $11.3 Million Dollar Tiara By Peter Vallas | Published 2011-05-19 | Luxury Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sothebys References: [extravaganzi](http://www.extravaganzi.com/rare-emerald-and-diamond-tiara-sold-at-sothebys-for-11-3-million/) & [sothebys](http://www.sothebys.com/) If you were in Geneva on May 17, 2011, then you may have experienced one of the most extravagant auction shows of a lifetime. The [Sotheby's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/collectible-art) auction is noted for displaying some the world's most expensive art and jeweled items for auction. This year, a rare tiara was up for grabs that was once in the collection of Princess Katharina Henckel Von Donnersmark. This unique hand-made tiara features 11 pear-shaped rare Colombian emeralds that weigh over 500 carats all together. According to Extravaganzi, "Each emerald has been drilled and held in [diamond set cusp motifs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marrow-martini), the nine largest tipped by rose diamonds, mounted in silver and gold, later detachable tiara fitting." The tiara was expected to turn around $5 million to $10 million; however, one buyer forked over a whopping $11.3 million. This is one sale for the record books. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.7/10 - Popularity: 33% | Activity: 41% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Luxury](https://www.trendhunter.com/luxury) > [Ultra Luxury](https://www.trendhunter.com/ultraluxury) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Luxury Auctions:** Extravagant auctions for high-end art and jewelry items are becoming a growing trend, offering a highly sought after experience for wealthy collectors. - **Rare Jeweled Artifacts:** The demand for rare, one-of-a-kind jewels and artifacts at auction is increasing, creating opportunities for innovation in gemstone cutting and intricate design work. - **Sustainable Luxury:** As eco-consciousness becomes more ingrained in luxury consumers, innovative jewelers and auction houses have the opportunity to focus on sustainably-sourced materials and environmentally-friendly practices. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fine Art:** The fine art auction industry can utilize experiences like the Sotheby's auction to create more elaborate, exclusive events that appeal to the wealthiest collectors. - **Jewelry:** Jewelers can disrupt the industry by exploring new methods of gemstone cutting and experimental design work, allowing for the creation of unique, one-of-a-kind pieces like the tiara sold at the auction. - **Sustainability:** Sustainable luxury can be an untapped market for jewelers and auction houses, offering an opportunity to showcase how they ethically source materials for high-end items to appeal to eco-conscious high-end buyers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Extravagant Jewelry Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shapes-of-extraleganza.md) - [Philanthropic High-Value Charity Auctions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/highvalue-charity-auction.md) - [Diamond-Encrusted Car Clocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/race-car-clock.md) - [Ultra-Luxurious Pet Collars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pet-jewelry1.md) - [Expensive Whiskey Sales](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emerald-isle-whiskey.md) - [Extravagant New Year's Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/empire-steak-house-nyc.md) - [Ultra-Extravagant Scotch Whiskies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glen-grant-distillery.md) - [Ultra-Extravagant Jewelry Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/treasure-island.md) - [Cosmos-Inspired High-Jewelry Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cleste-collection.md)