Gems from World's Biggest Heist Back on Display
August 19, 24
(IDEX Online) - Almost all items of jewlery stolen in "world's biggest gem heist" five years ago are now back on display at the The Green Vault museum, in Dresden, Germany.
The vast and historic collection of 4,300 diamonds, valued at $129m, was stolen by a gang who cut the electricity supply, then used axes to smash display cabinets.
Most of the treasures were recovered in December 2022 and five members of the same family, aged 24 to 29, were sentenced to between four years and four months and six years and three months for the theft.
Some of the items were damaged during or after the theft. They went back on display last week in their broken state, pending legal proceedings.
Many of the diamonds appeared cloudy and grayish in color, suggesting they were submerged in water for a long time. And there were traces of a white powder, probably used to remove fingerprints.
Stolen treasures included the famous 18th century 49-carat Dresden white diamond bought by August the Strong, then Elector of Saxony, and valued at $12m, as well as a sword encrusted with nine large and 770 smaller diamonds.
Pic shows The Green Vault museum, in Dresden, Germany.