A collective hush fell across the hall at the announcement. One of the agents stepped forward to unveil the item.
The glass dome was lifted, and the necklace was brought forward, displayed on a black velvet bust. Its glow under the lights drew gasps from the crowd.
Murmurings echoed softly across the hall as each of the guests had something to say about it.
"The Duchess's necklace," the auctioneer said proudly, "is a thirteen–carat blue diamond, rare in both color and clarity, surrounded by thirty-six flawless diamonds set in platinum. Crafted in the 1800s, it once belonged to the Duchess of Zainland.
Since then, it has passed through three generations of nobility and was last seen at the Duchess's coronation gala. Tonight, for the first time in over a century, it is presented to the world again. Bidding shall begin at one million dollars."
