About Marie Betteley
A Childhood Among Treasures
I was born and raised in Paris, a third-generation jewelry dealer who grew up surrounded by Russian imperial treasures. As a teenager, I lived on the grounds of Hillwood Museum & Gardens in Washington, DC, where my father served as Director for 12 years after bringing our family to the U.S. from Europe.
Wandering through galleries of Romanov jewels and Fabergé masterpieces, I discovered early that beautiful objects carry stories that transcend time. That childhood immersion shaped everything that followed.
The Christie's Years
After graduating from George Washington University with a BA in Art History, I moved to New York to pursue what I loved most then, and still do today: beautiful jewels and historic objects.
At 21, I started at the bottom—answering phones at the front counter of Christie’s East. Auctions unfolded right in front of us, and it was the perfect place to absorb the rapid pace of art changing hands, to meet dealers and collectors, and to learn the business from the ground up. We were even allowed to bid from our posts (later discouraged). These were the wild west days of Christie’s America, just established in New York in 1977 after founding in London in 1766.
While studying gemology at GIA, I was hired to catalogue gems in Christie’s jewelry department. My childhood at Hillwood had planted something deep—I was drawn to Romanov treasures and their mysteries. This led to heading the Russian department at Park Avenue Christie’s, then the flagship American location, where I spent a decade immersed in imperial provenance and history.
Building My Own Path
After 10 years at Christie’s, I launched my own business and opened a gallery on New York’s Upper East Side, specializing in rare jewels and Fabergé.
With a French mother and fluency in the language, I made frequent trips to Paris, immersing myself in auctions at Hôtel Drouot while building relationships with dealers and discovering French jewelry and objets d’art.
Sharing the Journey
After 20 years as a jewelry dealer, I wanted to share my knowledge and passion for both gems and travel in a new way. In 2017, I founded Art and Treasures Tours.
Our inaugural tour—the Walking Tour of St. Petersburg Jewelers on the Centenary of the Russian Revolution—was groundbreaking. Since then, I’ve led small-group, art-focused tours throughout Europe including Paris & Nancy, Vicenza, and Amsterdam. Future destinations include Madrid & Zaragoza, Prague, and London & Cambridge, with more to be unveiled as I relocate to Europe in 2026 while maintaining my New York base.
My Approach
Every treasure carries a story. Whether it’s a Romanov jewel that survived revolution or an Art Nouveau pendant crafted in a Parisian atelier, these objects are witnesses to history. My greatest joy isn’t just the discovery—it’s sharing that moment of wonder with collectors and travelers who appreciate the extraordinary.
What I Do
I love what I do, whether it’s:
- Consulting for auction houses, museums, and private collectors worldwide
- Leading tours with wonderful guests to discover Europe’s jewelry treasures
- Sourcing treasures for discerning clients seeking that one perfect piece
- Exploring new destinations to share with future travelers
Looking Ahead
2026 marks our 35th anniversary in business. Three generations, two continents, countless treasures discovered and stories shared.
Ready to Begin?
Contact us about collection dispersal, acquiring a specific jewel, requesting a private viewing, or learning more about our tour.
