New Zealand police recovered a diamond-encrusted Fabergé egg pendant from a 32-year-old thief who allegedly swallowed it after stealing it from Partridge Jewellers in Auckland. The suspect was detained within minutes of the theft, and officers monitored him for six days until the pendant was naturally passed. The special-edition locket, valued at $33,585, is a tribute to the Fabergé egg featured in the James Bond film Octopussy, featuring a green guilloché enamel shell and an 18-karat yellow gold octopus set with diamonds and sapphires.
The incident highlights the enduring cultural and market fascination with Fabergé eggs, which are among the world's most storied and valuable jeweled objects. The recovery comes shortly after a rare Fabergé egg sold for £22.9 million at Christie's London, setting a new auction record. The story blends true crime, pop culture (James Bond), and the high-end art market, underscoring how Fabergé pieces remain both coveted collectibles and targets for theft.