International News
Napoleon’s Lost Diamond Brooch from Battle of Waterloo to Be Auctioned in Geneva
A rare diamond brooch once owned by Napoleon Bonaparte — and believed to have been recovered from the aftermath of the Battle of Waterloo — is set to go under the hammer for the first time this November.
Far from the French crown jewels stolen from the Louvre this week, this historic piece carries its own dramatic past. According to Sotheby’s, the brooch was reportedly abandoned by Napoleon as he fled the battlefield following his 1815 defeat and was later claimed by the victorious King of Prussia. It will be offered at the Royal & Noble Jewels sale in Geneva on November 12.
Crafted in a Parisian atelier around 1810, the circular brooch features an oval diamond weighing over 13 carats at its centre, surrounded by nearly 100 old mine-cut diamonds of varied shapes. Likely worn on Napoleon’s iconic bicorne hat during formal occasions, it is estimated to fetch between $150,000 and $250,000, Sotheby’s told Bloomberg.
Initially presented as a spoil of war just days after Waterloo, the jewel remained within the House of Hohenzollern — the former German imperial dynasty — for generations. It passed from King Friedrich Wilhelm III to Kaiser Wilhelm II and later to his grandson Louis Ferdinand, Prince of Prussia, before entering a private collection in recent years.
As global markets waver, collectors are increasingly drawn to rare historical jewels as stable investments. Sotheby’s annual Royal & Noble auction celebrates such storied pieces, having previously sold a diamond necklace tied to Marie Antoinette for $4.8 million and, in 1987, the Duchess of Windsor’s jewellery collection for $50 million — six times its estimate.
Napoleon’s brooch will headline this year’s sale, alongside notable pieces such as a diamond ring once belonging to Ottoman princess Neslishah Sultan.
International News
MCX Gold, Silver Rise Despite Global Weakness; US Data, Iran Tensions Keep Bullion Markets On Edge
While Domestic Gold and Silver Prices Edged Higher On MCX, International Spot Gold Slipped Amid Uncertainty Over US-Iran Negotiations, Inflation Concerns
Gold and silver prices witnessed mixed momentum on May 28, with domestic futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) trading marginally higher even as international spot gold prices remained under pressure. The divergence reflects cautious investor sentiment amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, uncertainty surrounding US-Iran peace negotiations, and expectations of tighter monetary policy in the United States.
MCX gold futures for June delivery rose modestly by Rs. 215 to Rs. 1,57,898 per 10 grams, while silver futures for July delivery gained Rs. 2,000 to trade at Rs. 2,72,628 per kilogram in early trade. The domestic uptick was supported by weakness in the US dollar and cautious positioning ahead of key macroeconomic developments.
However, global spot gold prices extended losses for a second consecutive session as investors remained wary of the inflationary impact of elevated energy prices and the possibility of prolonged geopolitical instability in the Middle East. Analysts noted that fading hopes of a near-term diplomatic breakthrough between the US and Iran have revived concerns around oil supply disruptions, higher crude prices, and inflation risks — factors that continue to influence precious metals.
According to market experts, gold has struggled to regain strong upside momentum despite its safe-haven appeal, as rising US bond yields and a firmer dollar have reduced investor appetite for non-yielding assets like bullion. Silver, meanwhile, remained under pressure globally after recent military developments in southern Iran weakened expectations of an immediate resolution to regional tensions.
Investors are now closely watching key US macroeconomic indicators, including ADP employment figures, GDP growth data, and the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation index — the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge. These data points are expected to offer fresh direction on the Fed’s interest rate trajectory, which remains a crucial driver for gold and silver prices.
With geopolitical risks still elevated and inflation concerns persisting, bullion markets are expected to remain volatile in the near term as traders await clearer signals on both diplomacy and monetary policy.
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