Donnersmarck Diamonds
I bet you've never heard of the Donnersmarck Diamonds before! You have to check these out. In 2017 they went up for auction with Sotheby's listed at more than $9,000,000!
The diamonds were belonged to of La Païva, Countess Henckel von Donnersmarck (1819–1884), one of the most well-known 19th-century French courtesans, whose climb to fame from humble beginnings in Russia to the high society world of the European aristocracy was amazing. Born Esther Lachman, she went to Paris at 18 and was quickly introduced to its culture and artists by Henri Herz.
La Païva loved jewelry and even before her marriage, she had a great collection. The diamonds remained in the Donnersmarck family for more than a century until they appeared at auction at Sotheby’s in 2007.