Diamond Necklace Affair

A scandal involving Marie Antoinette and a fraudulent scheme for a spectacular diamond necklace.

The Diamond Necklace Affair refers to a scandal that occurred in 1785, which involved an expensive diamond necklace that had been commissioned by the jewelers Boehmer and Bassenge. The affair centered around a fraudulent scheme orchestrated by Jeanne de La Motte, who deceived the jewelers into believing that she was acting on behalf of Queen Marie Antoinette (the queen was not involved). Jeanne used forged documents and impersonation to acquire the necklace, which was to be paid for by the queen. When the fraud was revealed, it led to a public trial that damaged the reputation of Marie Antoinette, despite her innocence in the matter. The scandal played a role in diminishing public trust in the monarchy and contributed to the growing discontent that would eventually lead to the French Revolution.

The Diamond Necklace Affair (Affaire du collier de la reine) was a scandal that took place in France between 1784 and 1785. It involved the fraudulent acquisition of a prominent diamond necklace intended for Queen Marie Antoinette, which significantly damaged her reputation and contributed to the public discontent that led to the French Revolution. Cardinal de Rohan, a high-ranking French clergyman, was central to the scandal. He was deceived into believing that he was reinstating himself in the Queen's favor by purchasing a valuable diamond necklace for her.

Jeanne de la Motte, a con artist, played a key role by convincing Cardinal de Rohan that she was in close contact with Queen Marie Antoinette. Jeanne de la Motte used forged letters and arranged a fake meeting between the Cardinal and a woman posed as the Queen. Relying on this elaborate ruse, Cardinal de Rohan acquired a necklace from the jewelers Boehmer and Bassenge, believing the Queen would reimburse him.

The necklace, containing 647 diamonds and valued at 1.6 million livres, was never paid for by Marie Antoinette; instead, it was broken down and the gems were sold separately in London to pay off Jeanne de la Motte’s debts. When the jewelers demanded payment, it became clear that the Queen had no knowledge of the transaction. The scandal erupted, leading to a trial in Paris's Parlement where the public's ire was directed towards the monarchy.

Despite the eventual acquittal of Cardinal de Rohan in 1786, the affair severely tarnished the image of the royal family, particularly Marie Antoinette. Her perceived extravagance and alleged complicity in the scandal fueled growing discontent among the French populace. The Diamond Necklace Affair thus stands as a significant episode in the prelude to the French Revolution.

Did you know?

The Diamond Necklace Affair was a scandal during 1785 that significantly tarnished the reputation of Queen Marie Antoinette; despite her not being directly involved, the incident fueled public animosity towards the monarchy.
This affair centered around a luxurious diamond necklace valued at approximately 1.5 million livres (the equivalent of tens of millions of euros today); it was originally fabricated for Madame de La Motte, who deceived others into believing she was representing the queen.
Cardinal de Rohan, who believed he was in secret communication with Marie Antoinette, became a pawn in the scheme; his hope to gain her favor led him to unknowingly buy the necklace for the con artist, Jeanne de La Motte.
The necklace was never delivered to Marie Antoinette; instead, Jeanne de La Motte sold the diamonds on the black market, leading to a scandal that captivated the French public.
The trial of Jeanne de La Motte became a significant public spectacle and was one of the first major trials to involve media sensationalism, highlighting the role of public opinion in the events leading up to the French Revolution.