Happy Birthday to Princess Gabriele zu Leiningen, the former Begum Inaara Aga Khan, who turns 61 today! The influential German Socialite who was married to a Prince of Leiningen before becoming the second wife of the Aga Khan, Princess Inaara auctioned many jewels from her spectacular at Christie’s in 2016, which included this striking Cartier Emerald Suite!
Cartier Emerald Suite | Pearl and Diamond Fringe Necklace | Jewels at Auction
A magnificent Cartier Emerald and Diamond Necklace with a detachable cushion-shaped emerald pendant, weighing approximately 39.70 carats, along with a pair of earrings suspending two cushion-shaped emerald pendants, weighing approximately 10.40 and 10.14 carat. The Necklace was acquired at Cartier in March 2000, with the Earrings being acquired two years later in Mary 2002.
Begum Inaara Aga Khan wore the Cartier Emerald and Diamond Necklace and Earrings for a Gala held at the El Pardo Palace in Madrid, on the eve of the Wedding of Crown Prince Felipe and Letizia Ortiz in 2004.
A few years later, Princess Inaara wore the Cartier Emerald and Diamond Earrings at the Cinema for Peace Gala in Berlin in 2008.
Princess Inaara wore the Cartier Emerald and Diamond Necklace and only the tops of the Earrings at the 17th Festive Opera Gala for the German Aids Foundation in Berlin in 2010.
In 2016, the Princess Inaara Aga Khan, the former Princess Gabriele zu Leiningen put many of her Jewels on Auction at Christie’s in Geneva, with the hope that will ‘continue to bring joy and happiness to their new owners’. Ahead of the sale, the Princess wore the Cartier Emerald and Diamond Necklace and Earrings for a series of promotional shots.
The Cartier Emerald and Diamond Necklace had a pre-sale estimate of CHF 2,500,000 – CHF 3,500,000, eventually selling for CHF 2,825,000, while the Emerald and Diamond Earrings sold for CHF 809,000, slightly over the estimate of CHF 600,000 – CHF 800,000. The current location of both pieces is unknown.
Cartier Emerald Suite | Pearl and Diamond Fringe Necklace | Jewels at Auction
