Diamond Necklace: Led To A Controversial Affair

History has it that diamond necklaces have always been considered as the best gift for your lady love and also as a status symbol

. After all who can forget the controversial Affair of the Diamond Necklace?

Heres the story in a nutshell

In 1772, Louis XV of France planned to make a diamond necklace for Madame du Barry, with whom he was infatuated. It was being planned to be made by the Parisian Jewelers for an estimated cost of 2 million Livres. However in the mean time, Louis XV died and du Barry was banished from the court by Lois XVI; and now there was no one to buy the necklace.

The Parisians thought that the new Queen would buy the necklace however, she denied it. Rumor has it that it was because initially the necklace was made for someone else.

A con artist named Jeanne de Saint-Rmy de Valois came into the picture now; she devised a plan to use the necklace to gain wealth. She was married to an officer of the gendarmes, the soi-disant comte de la Motte, and later in March 1974 she became the mistress of Cardinal de Rohan who was regarded with displeasure by the Queen because of having spread rumors about the Queens behavior with her formidable mother who was the Australian Empress.

The Cardinal was on a constant attempt to regain the favor of the Queen, so that he could become the Kings minister. Meanwhile, Jeanne tried to persuade the Cardinal by telling him that she had been received by the queen and is now enjoying her Royal Favors. However the truth was that she entered the court by means of her lover named Rtaux de Villette. Jeanne assured the Cardinal that she was talking in favor of him to the Queen.

Later when the Cardinal requested a meeting with the Queen, Jeanne arranged it, however it wasnt the Queen but a prostitute named Nicole Leguay d'Oliva that was a look alike of the Queen.

Jeanne started taking large sums of money from the Cardinal stating that it was for the Queens charity work. Most of the people believed the alleged relationship between the Queen and Jeanne. The Persians now thought of using Jeanne to sell their necklace. She first refused however later agreed. In January 1785, Jeanne convinced the Cardinal that the Queen wanted the famous Diamond Necklace but did not wish to publicly buy the expensive necklace.

Cardinal claimed to have the Queens authorization letter which was actually written by Rtaux de Villette, and Jeanne somehow convinced the Cardinal that the letter was actually given by the Queen. The Cardinal used the letter to buy the necklace and pay it in installments. Secretly Jeannes husband disguised as the valet of the Queen took the necklace from the Cardinal and went to London to sell it in pieces.

Later when it was time to pay, Jeanne presented Cardinals notes; however since they were insufficient, the Parisians complained to the Queen, which later brought into light that the Queen had never ordered for any necklace. On August 15, 1785, all awaited the King and Queen in the court, where the Cardinal was found guilty of being so foolish because a letter from the Queen can never have the surnames of the Royalty.

Everyone involved in this conspiracy were arrested, and later a few were released except for Jeanne, who later escaped by disguising as a boy. In her absence, Jeannes husband was condemned for life.

by: Nicolus Cage

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