Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Egyptian Queen’s $4 Million Diamond Necklace Stolen in Vienna
Two men allegedly stole a very valuable necklace from a museum in Vienna.
They reportedly bought tickets and entered like regular visitors.
One man was armed, while the other used a hammer to break the glass case.
The glass reportedly took 41 hits to break.
The men took only the necklace and left the other jewelry behind.
Nobody was hurt, and the suspects ran toward Stadtpark.
The necklace belonged to Queen Nazli of Egypt and has a royal history.
Police are searching for the men and asking the public for information.
Investigators have not confirmed why the necklace was stolen.
Two men allegedly smashed a museum display case and stole a diamond necklace valued at about $4 million.
The suspects reportedly entered Vienna’s Museum of Applied Arts as visitors on 27 August at around 2 p.m.
One man allegedly carried a weapon while the other struck the security glass 41 times with a hammer.
The necklace contains 673 diamonds totaling more than 200 carats and was commissioned for Queen Nazli of Egypt.
Vienna police released CCTV images, launched an international manhunt, and added the necklace to Interpol’s stolen-art database.
- Who
- Two unidentified men allegedly stole the necklace; Vienna police are investigating.
- What
- A platinum Van Cleef & Arpels necklace containing 673 diamonds was stolen from a museum display.
- When
- The suspects reportedly entered at about 2 p.m. on 27 August; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- The theft occurred at the Museum of Applied Arts, or MAK, in Vienna, Austria.
- Why
- The motive is unknown; Austrian media suggested a possible contract job, but police have not confirmed that theory.
Targeted-Crime Theory
Officially Unconfirmed
Possible motive
Targeted-Crime Theory
Some Austrian media suggested the theft may have been a targeted contract job for a criminal group.
Officially Unconfirmed
Vienna police have not publicly confirmed that explanation, and the motive remains unknown.
Security assessment
Targeted-Crime Theory
The armed, focused attack and the suspects’ decision to take only the necklace could support the view that it was deliberately targeted.
Officially Unconfirmed
Museum director Lilli Hollein said comprehensive security measures were in place but that a targeted armed attack during an exhibition could not be completely ruled out.
- Estimated value
- About $4 million; it sold at Sotheby’s in New York for approximately $4.3 million in 2015.
- Necklace composition
- Platinum with 673 diamonds totaling more than 200 carats.
- Historical owner
- Commissioned in 1938–39 for Queen Nazli of Egypt.
- Theft method
- One suspect was reportedly armed while the other used a hammer to smash the security glass.
- Police response
- CCTV, forensic evidence, witness statements, police dogs, and an international manhunt are being used in the investigation.
- International alert
- The necklace was entered into Interpol’s database of stolen works of art.
- Exhibition status
- The Van Cleef & Arpels exhibition was temporarily disrupted, and the damaged display area was covered with a blue panel.