A multi-million-euro jewel theft has shaken Vienna’s cultural scene. Austrian police confirmed on Thursday, 27 August 2026, that a historically significant diamond necklace was stolen from the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) in Vienna. The piece — a dazzling collar featuring 673 diamonds weighing over 200 carats — was crafted by the renowned French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels.
A Royal Heirloom with Global Significance
The necklace once belonged to Queen Nazli of Egypt, consort of King Fuad I. Historical records indicate she wore it in 1939 at the wedding of her daughter, Princess Fawzia, to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi — then Crown Prince of Iran and later Shah. Its royal provenance and craftsmanship have long made it one of the most celebrated pieces in modern jewelry history.
Stolen During Public Hours
According to police, two unidentified men broke into a display case inside the museum during regular opening hours and fled with the necklace. Surveillance images released by authorities show two figures dressed in black inside the exhibition space. The MAK had been hosting a major Van Cleef & Arpels retrospective since early June, featuring more than 300 pieces — including this iconic item, which was displayed behind glass and clearly visible in official museum photos.
Valuation and Provenance
Sotheby’s auction house sold the necklace for approximately $4.3 million in a 2015 New York sale — a figure that underscores its extraordinary value. Though the MAK has declined to disclose further details while investigations are ongoing, it confirmed no injuries occurred and emphasized cooperation with law enforcement. Authorities have not yet released information about suspects or possible leads.
The theft has drawn international attention, raising concerns about security at cultural institutions housing irreplaceable heritage objects. As investigations continue, art historians and security experts alike are watching closely — not only for the recovery of the necklace, but for what the incident reveals about vulnerabilities in high-profile museum settings.