Imelda Marcos' extensive jewellery collection is set to go under the hammer. The fabulous gems, which once belonged to the former First Lady of the Philippines, are being sold off to raise money for the nation's coffers. The first sale will include some 60 pieces with a combined value of over $6 million.
At the heart of the Roumeliotes collection is a diamond-studded bracelet with a 31-carat, marquise-cut stone. When it was last valued over 13 years ago, experts put its worth at over $1.2 million. Back in 1990, when Sothebys first inspected the collection, gemologists found the marquise diamond "so exquisite" they recommended further grading in a laboratory.
The auction house is now bidding against its leading competitor, Christies, for the contract to auction the gems, which have spent most of the last 20 years in a customs vault in the Philippines.
It is thought the sale will take place this autumn in either Hong Kong or Paris. The Roumeliotes collection comprises most of the 89 pieces seized from Imelda by the Filipino government.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
