Athina Onassis Shocked Collectors by Selling Her Mother’s Jewels

Christina Onas, daughter of the Greek magna of the merchant marine Aristotle Onas, owned some of the most captivating and most expensive jewels in the world, which perfectly corresponded to her style and her unique personality. However, her mysterious and tragic death led her jewels to auction much earlier than anyone could have imagined. Today, we are going to discover the fate of the magnificent collection of jewels of Christina Onas. Necklace with diamond pendant. When Christina Onas died, her daughter Athena was only 3 years old and was often considered the richest little girl in the world. Years later, in 2008, Christina's extraordinary jewelry private collection was sold at an auction in Christie's in London. At the age of 23, Athena made the decision to separate from the jewels that her mother had once cherished. For her, they were the dazzling vestiges of a revolutionary era, pieces that no longer corresponded to her personal style and that According to John Suglide, International Director of Joy Riches at Christie's, all valuables have been sold. The collection included 230 exquisite articles, rings, necklaces, bracelets, precious stones and emblematic creations by Cardier, Harry Winston and Van Cleen of Harpels, all waiting for new owners. The auction had to bring in more than 10 million dollars. With its dazzling range of diamonds, vintage treasures and elegant pearls, the sale aroused great interest from rich jewel lovers, opening the way to a fierce auction war. In the end, Christina Onas' collection reached an impressive sum of 13.3 million dollars. The jewel of the auction sale was a stunning 38-carat Golconda diamond in the shape of a pear, held in a pendant that Christina herself wore once. This stunning jewel, estimated at 28 million dollars, was a precious gift from her father, Aristotle Onas. The Gekonda diamonds, historically extracted in eastern India until the 17th century, are now reputed for their brilliance, purity and exceptional clarity. The Golconda diamonds are widely considered the purest in the world. Known for their unequalled brilliance and exceptional qualities, the precious stone of 38 carats from Christina Onas' collection is a perfect example. Completely uncolored and even two tones whiter than the uncolored diamonds of the best quality. This extraordinary whiteness is due to the total absence of nitrogen, the element generally responsible for the hue of diamonds. Such a rare and flawless stone deserved such a magnificent mount, and she found one in a pendant necklace designed by the creator Jack T for Harry Winston. The result was a luxurious and high-end, bold, elegant and undeniably chic piece. Christina, known for her refined taste, wore the pendant as a signature item, perfectly integrating it into her sumptuous wardrobe at a time defined by haute couture, grand costumes and elegant world meetings. One day, she made Peter Evans, her father's biographer, Aristotle Onassès, notice that she liked to wear diamonds, even for breakfast. Her magnificent pendant became the jewel of the opulent collection, symbolizing the extravagant lifestyle and timeless glamour that the Onas name had to represent. One of the most memorable pieces in Christina Onas' collection was a richly detailed necklace of rubies and diamonds, designed by Vance L.E.N. Darpels in 1969, estimated at more than half a million dollars. This elegant piece was adorned with rubies cabot cellis framed with shiny diamond-sized diamonds arranged in delicate staples and connected by sparkling stones and a single ruby at each joint. The lock and back chain of the necklace followed the same luxurious design, with carefully combined precious stones that create a continuous flow. In total, the diamonds weighed a little over 33 carats, while the rubies contributed to a height of nearly 16 carats of bright red color. With the signature and serial number of Vance L.E.N. Darpels confirming its authenticity, this 45-centimeter necklace was a brilliant example of artisanal craftsmanship and timeless style. What made this necklace even more special was not only its materials, but also the craftsmanship and balance of its design. A piece clearly chosen not only for its beauty, but also for its asserted character. Christina's tastes in jewelry reflected a deep appreciation for the elegance and durable design. The estimated price of this jewel was about 551,000 dollars. Sapphire and diamond necklace. Among these precious jewels is a Harry Winston sapphire and diamond necklace. Estimated at about 19,000 dollars. Radiant and majestic, this jewel is truly worthy of royalty and is part of a collection that embodies a chapter in the 20th century dynastic history. This necklace reflects the refined taste and prestige that characterized the powerful families of the 20th century. It also added charm and individuality to Christina Onas' jewelry collection. Harry Winston, a legendary name in the field of high jewelry, was known to use only precious stones of the highest quality. These creations often included sapphires, not only for their rich color, but also for the depth and dignity it conveyed. The necklace was meticulously designed to highlight the natural shine of each stone, which made it a gracious complement to Christina's refined public image. Sapphires were also supposed to symbolize peace and protection, qualities that could have a deep meaning for Christina given the personal difficulties she often endured. This piece was not content to complete a outfit. It reinforced her identity as an avant-garde woman, influential and with a lasting heritage. Jade-Colored Precious Stone Buddha Among the most unusual and captivating items in the Onasis collection, there is a stunning Jade-Colored Precious Stone Buddha, made by the famous artist Carl Faber. This rare masterpiece occupied a place of honor aboard Christina Onasis' private luxury yacht, a symbol of both wealth and refined taste. Initially estimated at around $444,000, the piece shocked collectors when it was finally sold for auction for an astronomical sum of $2.4 million. The finely sculpted figurine measures just over 10 cm high and nearly 12.7 cm wide. Despite its modest size, the statue is full of detail. It features hands and a mobile head, a ruby tongue and internal counterweights that subtly balance its structure. Its charm is reinforced by a gray-gray belt made of four cabochon rubies niched between five pink diamonds. The eyes are a brilliant trio of rubies and diamonds and additional nails in diamond-sized horns on its ears while a cabochon ruby accentuates the necklace. Although this figurine was not created in Europe, Faber took care to highlight its Chinese inspiration by opting for minimal ornamentation and honoring traditional craftsmanship. The result is a captivating fusion of Oriental symbolism and Western art. A unique treasure of its kind that reflects the bold sense of Christina's world style. One of the most stunning jewels in Christina Onas' collection is the verdant clear blue diamond ring. A true masterpiece from every point of view, the ring is adorned with a rare type 2B, light blue with a verdant nuance. The earth has offered human beings precious stones of the shapes, colors and sizes they would never have imagined. The cushion-sized diamond weighs about 7.21 carats, which is an incredible size for such a ring. These rare diamonds contain boron, which is really incredible because they can drive electricity, which makes them unique and visually captivating precious stones. As the diamond is enough to attract everyone's attention, the ring is equipped with a platinum minimalist ring with double grooves that allow the natural shade to occupy the center. It was a special ring for Christina because its color reflected the mother aegis, evoking the deep bond of her family with Greece. The ring strongly contrasted with her emotionally chaotic life. It was her gateway to clarity that she had long desired. You wonder what the price of this jewel is? Well, this ring was sold at auction for $ 276,000, which makes it one of the most expensive rings in its captivating jewelry collection. If we talk about the estimated price of this ring today, we think it is almost three times higher, because this ring has every reason to be expensive. Diamond Corsage Ornament If we talk about the art and know-how of the middle of the 20th century, the diamond corsage ornament is a perfect example. The piece was made in the 1960s and illustrates the attachment of the house to elegance and versatility. This jewel presents a harmonious mixture of ancient European-style diamonds perfectly arranged to create a waterfall effect that flows or delicate feathers. The diamond corsage ornament presents a motif evoking waves and wings symbolizing both grace and movement. The excellent know-how of the jewelers of the 20th century is evident in the texture and depth of this piece. The updated layout of this ornament not only reduces its weight, but also lets the light pass with a flash, thus reinforcing the dazzling effect of the diamonds. It must be admitted that this is an intelligently designed piece for a person with a personality such as Christina Onas. The ornament can be used as brooch, hair jewelry and pendant. The double L monogram style of this ornament was certainly the selling point of this jewel during the auction. As this piece also reflects history and elegance, it was one of the most important jewels owned by Christina Onas. Before giving you the price of this jewel, do you have an idea of ​​the history of corsage ornaments? These pieces were often worn by aristocrats because they were designed to enhance the elegance of evening outfits. These articles reflected the historical links of the Onassis family with European aristocracy and their deep appreciation of ornamental jewels. To return to the value of this magnificent piece, its abundant use of diamonds and its historical importance have led to an estimate price of around $ 62,500. An appropriate sum for such an elegant and timeless jewel. Elephant Hair Bracelet The next piece on this list doesn't look like anything you've probably seen before. Although it is one of the least expensive pieces for auction, the Elephant Hair Bracelet stands out as one of the most intriguing pieces in Christina Onas' collection. Made from braided elephant hair, this bracelet is exceptionally rare and has a well-trimmed character. It is generally not found in a traditional jewelry wardrobe, but Christina, known for her bold and powerful personality, was clearly looking for pieces that reflected her individuality and distinguished her. The Elephant Hair Bracelet is traditionally worn by African tribes as a symbol of The Bengal Golden Beads were engraved with Greek meandering patterns, adding a layer of intercultural resonance that made it all the more unique. Christina acquired this extraordinary piece during a retreat in Africa. One of the rare moments of her life where she managed to escape the constant gaze of the media. She admired the Bengals both spiritually and personally. It represented a subtle break with aristocratic norms and an ephemeral attempt to find an anchor in something ancient and meaningful. To add to her personal meaning, the Bengal was engraved with the initials of Christina Onas and her husband, transforming it from a rare object into a deeply intimate good. With an estimated value of $ 18,800, it far exceeded the price of a classic elephant hair bracelet, emphasizing its rarity, its know-how and its emotional weight. Yellow Diamond Ring Another remarkable piece of Christina Onas' collection. The Yellow Diamond Ring, adorned with a magnificent yellow diamond in the shape of a 4.15-carat pear. This captivating ring reflected Christina's affinity for unique precious stones. Its rich color and distinctive size make it a true declaration of elegance and individuality. The pear-shaped diamonds, known for their elongated shape, create the illusion of longer and thinner fingers, which partly explains why they have long been appreciated by women of high society. The natural yellow diamonds, formed from nitrogen impurities, are exceptionally rare and popular for their brilliant hue, often symbolizing optimism, warmth and energy. Their rarity and brilliance make them particularly precious in the world of high joy. This ring was considered one of Christina's favorites. However, some believe that the choice of yellow could have a deeper meaning, because yellow also symbolizes prudence. It was assumed that the ring subtly reflected the emotional and personal challenges to which it was confronted in a life where love, loyalty and health often proved unattainable. Being one of the most precious pieces in her collection, the Yellow Diamond Ring was estimated at more than $150,000, a price at the height of its rarity and its symbolic weight. This concludes our visit to Christina Onas' exceptional jewelry collection. Each piece is a reflection of her unique spirit and her complex heritage. We hope you enjoyed the trip.