Guaped! Marie Antoinette's pearl pendant sold for a record-breaking $36m

When jewels that belonged to Marie Antoinette were put up for auction recently, it was obvious they would fetch a hefty sum. But it was one piece in particular that shattered the world auction record. 

A pearl and diamond pendant that once hung on the neck of the 18th century queen of France was sold to the highest bidder for $36m. This earned the jewel the title of the most expensive pearl ever sold at auction.

Marie Antoinette's history was a massive drawcard for bidders. 

She was famous for maintaining an opulent lifestyle while her subjects lived in poverty.

Another cause for fascination about the royal collection could be the fact that some of the items had, for 200 years, not been displayed publicly.

The French royal died by beheading in 1973.

It was initially expected that the pendant would rake in as much as $2m, but when the hammer slammed to confirm the sale, the buyer had committed to paying $36m. 

The record for most expensive pearl sold at auction was previously held by an $11.8m necklace that belonged to the late Elizabeth Taylor and went under the hammer in 2011.