Jan 24, 2026
3 min read
A 1920s Art Deco jewel, a convertible piece that was part of the royal family's jewel box and was lost after her death, has more than quadrupled its original auction price.
The sautour and large aquamarine worn by Queen Fabiola of Belgium at the wedding of Felipe VI and Letizia was sold for 180,000 euros.
The 1920s Art Deco gem, which was part of a royal jewelry box and lost track of after her death, has more than quadrupled its original price at auction.
Royal jewels have an air of mystery due to the secrets and family histories hidden behind their pearls.Some remain stored in vaults for decades.others unexpectedly reappear on the market. This was the case with one of the most famous pieces from Queen Fabiola of Belgium's jewelry box: the Art Deco sautoir with a stunning aquamarine that she wore to the wedding of Felipe VI.
The piece, a demi-parure from the 1920s, went up for auction in Madrid with a starting estimate of 40,000 euros.The final result confirms the value of the series' materials, high quality, and jewelry with a royal pedigree and documented history that continues to excite.In this case, it is linked to one of the important steps of the recent Spanish monarchy: in May 2004 then the Wedding of the Prince of Asturias.
The auction set is made of platinum and perfectly responds to the geometric language of Art Deco.The necklace, originally conceived as a long 'sator', is a variable piece of jewelry: it can be divided into three separate bracelets, a versatility in high jewelry of the first third of the 20th century.It is made of openwork links that are decorated with diamonds of different cuts - old brilliant, Dutch and 8/8 - total weight about 38.6 carats.
The necklace is set with a pendant with a spectacular optical effect made of approximately 120 carats of fantasy briolette cut natural aquamarine.Undoubtedly, it is the most recognizable element of the complex and this jewelry became one of the most talked about when it was chosen to attend the wedding at the Fabiola Almudena Cathedral in Belgium.Instead of wearing the long version of the necklace, the Queen opted to keep it short, with the gemstone close to the neck, a style preference she has maintained over the years.
The demi-parure is finished with a pair of long earrings in yellow gold and platinum, an intricate design of a time when jewelry was designed to adapt to different moments and uses.The whole set comes with its original A. Vega jewelry case;Featuring interior design and natural silk detailing, it also offers value to collectors.
Fabiola from Belgium, born Mora y Aragón, was known for her refined taste in jewelry and a collection that combined historical pieces with more modern designs.After his death in 2014, his jeweler went their separate ways.A piece remained with the Belgian royal house, and today Queen Matilda wears it to official events, with the occasional appearance of Princess Elisabeth.Other pieces, however, passed into private hands, including branches of his Spanish family.
This is not the first time Queen Fabiola's jewels have re-entered the market after years out of public view. Some do so through private sales. Other international auctions have attracted high expectations.
There is something mysterious about royal jewels because of the secrets and family histories they hide behind their pearls.Some remain in vaults for decades;others unexpectedly reappear on the market.This is what happened to one of the most recognizable pieces from the jewelry box of Queen Fabiola of Belgium: the Art Deco 'sautoir' with an impressive aquamarine that she wore at the wedding of Felipe VI and Letizia and which has just been auctioned for 180,000 euros, multiplying the starting price by more than four.
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