Egyptian queen’s 673-diamond necklace stolen in Vienna smash-and-grab raid

A 200‑carat platinum necklace with 673 diamonds was stolen from a museum in Vienna during opening hours. The necklace was on loan to the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) and was part of a jewellery exhibition that opened in June. Police are looking for two men who broke into the museum, smashed a glass case with a hammer, and ran away with the necklace.

The suspects were caught on security cameras. They had bought tickets to the exhibition, used a hammer to break the display case, and fled with the necklace. Police said, “The perpetrators fled with the jewellery in an unknown direction.” Officers spread out across the city centre and used a police tracking dog to try to find the suspects. A local newspaper said the men were probably working for a criminal gang on a contract job.

No one was hurt during the robbery, and several visitors were in the room when the thieves left. The museum’s website listed a guided tour that was scheduled for Friday afternoon as “cancelled.” The exhibition, which was set to finish on 27 September, was temporarily closed.

The necklace once belonged to Queen Consort Nazli of Egypt. She wore it at her daughter Fawzia’s wedding in 1939 to Iran’s crown prince, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who later became shah. In 2015, Sotheby’s sold the necklace in New York for $4.3 million. The necklace is made of platinum and holds 673 diamonds, making it one of the most valuable pieces in the world.

The MAK said the exhibition brought together about 200 unique objects from its own collection and pieces that span the 120‑year history of the Parisian jewellery house Van Cleave & Arpels. The show featured more than 300 works by the designers. The necklace was a highlight of the display.

The necklace is a long chain of platinum links. Each link holds a small diamond. The diamonds are set in a pattern that creates a sparkling effect. The necklace weighs about 200 carats, which is about 40 grams. It is a symbol of Egyptian royalty and of the connection between Egypt and Iran. The necklace was designed by a famous Parisian jeweller. It is one of the most valuable pieces in the world.

Queen Consort Nazli was the wife of King Farouk of Egypt. She was a patron of the arts. The necklace was worn at the wedding of her daughter Fawzia and Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in 1939. The wedding was a major event in the Middle East. The necklace was later sold by Sotheby’s in 2015 for $4.3 million.

The jewellery exhibition opened in June and ran until 27 September. It showcased rare pieces from the MAK’s collection and from Van Cleave & Arpels. The museum’s website announced that the guided tour for Friday afternoon was cancelled. After the theft, the exhibition was closed for a short time while police investigated.

The MAK is located in the city centre of Vienna. It has a large collection of decorative arts and jewellery. The museum was founded in 1864. It has security cameras and guards. The exhibition brought together about 200 unique objects, including the necklace. The exhibition featured more than 300 works by Van Cleave & Arpels, a famous Parisian jewellery house that has been making jewellery for 120 years.

Police searched the city centre and used a tracking dog to follow the suspects’ trail. They asked the public for help and posted the suspects’ faces on social media. The police said the suspects were likely hired by a gang. They also said the suspects had tickets to the exhibition, which helped police identify them.

The police appeal for information was posted on the MAK’s website and on local news sites. The police said they were still looking for the suspects and the necklace. They hoped that someone would see the suspects or the necklace and report it.

The Vienna theft is part of a string of high‑profile museum heists in Europe. In October 2023, thieves broke into the Louvre in Paris and stole crown jewels worth €88 million. In Spain, thieves raided the Treasure of Villena, a collection of Bronze Age gold artefacts. In Italy, thieves stole four important works by the 15th‑century master Antonello da Messina from a museum in Messina. Two days earlier, Italian police had recovered three paintings by Cézanne, Renoir, and Matisse that had been taken from a private museum near Parma.

A Europol report said that robberies at European museums are becoming more violent. Thieves sometimes use guns, assault staff, and use sledgehammers, axes, or explosives to break into museums. The report warned that museums need to improve security to protect valuable art and jewellery.

The theft has drawn a strong reaction from the public. Many visitors to the museum are upset that the necklace was stolen. Some people have offered money for information that could help find the necklace. The museum has asked visitors to be careful and to report any suspicious activity.

The museum’s website has a special page for the theft. It explains what happened and how visitors can help. The page also says that the museum is working with police to recover the necklace.

The stolen necklace is a priceless piece of history. Police are working hard to find the suspects and recover the necklace. The theft has highlighted the need for better security at museums across Europe. The public is encouraged to help by reporting any information that could lead to the suspects’ arrest and the necklace’s return.