Catherine II the Great of Russia was an ambitious woman who was passionate about luxury, sufficient grounds to seize power over all (murder included). Yet he left a unique legacy to the world, one of the finest collections of jewelry history.

The jewels of Catherine II the Great, perfectly describe the Empress, a lover of luxury, art and power. She never hesitated to do what it were necessary to achieve her aims, and once achieved would not let anyone take it by force.

Her controversial empire was full of revolutions, murders, pillaging, protests ... because Catherine was never quiet, especially when she discovered the charm and beauty of gemstones. Only "the greats" could have the best jewelry and that was what she was.

Her vast collection has been to the delight of all, especially because the pieces are in the Hermitage Museum of St. Petersburg (Russia) and the others that we know through the press to be auctioned in editions of fine jewelry.

¿WHO WAS CATHERINE II THE GREAT? (Text from Kalipedia)

(Stettin 1729 - San Petersburgo 1796) Empress of Russia (1762-96).

"Of German origin and daughter of the Duke of Anhalt-Zerbst, Catherine enjoyed a delicious French-style education that familiarize her with the language, culture and political principles of that country.
She married the future King Pedro III, whom she departed he from the throne in 1762 and later she ordered his murder.

Once in power, she favored the political and economic power of the nobility at the expense of farmers and quelled the uprising of Pugachev (1773-1974). Representative of enlightened despotism, she spearheaded the development of trade and industry, she confiscated the church property and reformed the administration.

Her court became a meeting place for intellectuals and artists. Catherine had a reputation as a patron of the arts, literature and education. The Hermitage Museum, which now occupies the whole of the Winter Palace, began as her personal collection.

In foreign policy, she conquered many territories in Turkey and obtained Belarus, Lithuania and Ukraine in the three partitions of Poland.

Catherine died in 1796, leaving her son and heir, Tsar Paul I, a Russia full of contrasts but more powerful and rich culture. "

HER COLLECTION OF JEWELS

The Empress began in 1764 to acquire, almost obsessive, great works of art, jewelry and books of great value. This activity was continued by her successors on the throne until Nicholas I, in the mid-nineteenth century, became the imperial Hermitage Museum that could only be the upper class. With the Russian Revolution became public and free.

Talk about all the jewels of Catherine would be impossible, but we can highlight some of them. For example, the magnificent 300-carat diamond, in its original condition and 190 to be cut, set in the center of the czars. It was given her by Gregory Orlov.

Another of the most impressive is the 60-70 carat Colombian emerald set in a brooch with diamonds and sold in June this year (2010) by 1.23 million euros ($ 1.6 million) at auction (Christie's) and bought by a Russian private collector.

And the pearls were some of the weaknesses of the Empress. One of the most important pieces she owned was a magnificent necklace of 389 pearls with a clasp that represented her. Currently, the necklace has 224 beads and is topped with two Cartier diamond clasps. Anecdotally we can mention that Horace Elgin, Dodge car director, acquired in 1920 as a gift for his wife for $ 825,000. Today, this amount would equal $ 8 million.

Interesting websites: http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/index.html