Sotheby`s is once again holding a dazzling jewelry sale, with a diamond set from the Ottoman Sultans the star of the show. But the curious thing about these sparklers is that they might originally have belonged to the wife of Russia`s Peter the Great. The necklace, brooch and pair of earrings dating back to the 19th century were a gift from Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II to an Egyptian princess. The history of the stones themselves however goes back further than that. Experts at Sotheby`s auction house believe the diamonds might have belonged to Peter the Great’s wife - Empress Catherine I. The gems could have been rich gifts from the Russian Court to the Ottoman Sultan Ahmet III, presented after a war between two states in the early 18th century. In that conflict, Russia lost not only a fair few precious imperial jewels, but also strategically important Azov territories to the Ottomans. The quality of the diamonds` faceting is not as impressive as the work of contemporary stonecutters, but their main value is their eventful history. In 1963, the heirs of the last Khedives (viceroys) of Egypt finally sold the jewels. For almost 50 years, the precious set resided in a private collection. Catherine`s ice is a shining example of the stunning stones to be auctioned on November 15 in Geneva. The Magnificent Jewels auction will feature some 500 glittering lots, with estimates ranging from $3,000 up to $10 million. Also up for grabs is a legendary 110,03 carat Sun-Drop yellow diamond. This precious gem is estimated between $7,5 and $10 million. The latest price record for jewelry was set at Sotheby`s last year, with a 24,78 carat pink diamond outshining the competition at $46,16 million.