A rare emerald and diamond tiara is on display in Hong Kong ahead of its sale under the hammer in Geneva in May.

The tiara is composed of 11 Colombian emerald pear-shaped drops, which weigh over 500 carats in total.

It is believed that the tiara was commissioned sometime during 1900, by First Prince von Donnersmarck for his second wife Princess Katharina.

It may well have been one of the most precious pieces in the collection of the Donnersmarcks. The family's jewelry collection is known to be on a par with those of many of the crowned heads of Europe.It is estimated the tiara will fetch around 5 to 10 million US dollars in the auction to be held in Geneva on May 17th this year.

Alexandra Rhodes, Sotheby's Jewelry Specialist, said, "As you can see with emeralds you need this consistency of colors, this wonderful grass green, very bright, vibrant color. And in themselves, the way they are matched, and the size is extraordinary. Equally the diamonds, you've got these fantastic cushion shapes, a slight tint of yellow color. But beautifully made, equally the setting is the garland style, the turn of the 19th century into the 20th century, it's a very light and very feminine form of jewel. But all in all, the make and the stones, the workmanship is fabulous."

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