Maharani Sita Devi

Maharani Sita Devi of Baroda was known in her time as the Indian Wallis Simpson. She met the Maharaja of Baroda, one of the 10 wealthiest men in the world, at the Madras horse races in 1943. She was married at the time, so she converted to Islam to dissolve her first marriage, and then converted back to Hindusim to marry the Maharaja. Later, they were forced into exile in Monaco by the Indian government due to their extravagant spending. 

Maharani Sita Devi and the Maharaja of Baroda

While her personal life was undoubtedly riveting, what we are more fascinated by is her jewelry. Two pieces stand out. First, this seven strand pearl necklace where every pearl is impeccably matched in color, luster, size and shape - it is considered the "most famous and sought after pearl necklace in history" by Christie's and had been passed down for generations in the Baroda royal family.

The Baroda Pearl Necklace

The second, this three row diamond necklace that featured both the Star of the South and the English Dresden diamonds, the former of which was found in Brazil in 1853 and originally weighed a whopping 245.5 carats. 

The infamous diamond necklace

She ended up selling a lot of jewelry to finance her life amongst the International jetset. One incident in particular has become folklore. In 1953 Harry Winston bought a pair of cobochon emerald and rose cut diamonds anklets from her, which he fashioned into a necklace and sold to the Duchess of Windsor (Wallis Simpson).

Years later, Wallis Simpson waltzed into a ball in New York wearing her necklace, while Sita Devi commented loudly on how nice the same necklace had looked on her feet.