Researcher discusses theft of Queen Nazli’s necklace in Vienna – warns it might have been a fake

An archaeologist named Shaimaa Farouk has raised concerns about the theft of Queen Nazli's necklace from the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) in Vienna. Farouk warns that the act of theft may not be the most serious consequence, as the necklace could have potentially been replaced with a fake. She argues that simply having the artifact displayed does not guarantee that it is the genuine piece.

Farouk urges security measures to focus on verifying the "identity of the artifact" instead of merely securing the display location. The necklace, crafted in the Art Deco style, was designed specifically for Queen Nazli in 1939 and features hundreds of diamonds totaling over 200 carats in weight. It has a rich history, having been sold at auctions in 1975 and 2015 before returning to Van Cleef & Arpels.

Previous attempts to steal the necklace include a 2021 incident in Paris, where security cameras caught three individuals practicing glass-breaking techniques before arrest. Farouk advocates for the use of technology to create a digital record for each artifact, including scientific images, 3D scans, dimensions, weight, and unique characteristics.

This digital "fingerprint" would allow for continuous verification of an artifact's authenticity throughout its entire lifecycle, from discovery to display. Farouk emphasizes that security measures should begin from the moment an artifact is first registered, with every transfer and handling point requiring documentation and protection.