Christie’s will auction a collection of jewellery belonging to Christina Onassis, the daughter of Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis who struggled to find happiness despite her family’s wealth.

More than 40 pieces of jewellery from her collection will go under the hammer in London on June 11, the highlight of which is a pear-shaped, 38-carat D colour potentially flawless diamond which Onassis wore on a diamond pendant necklace.

It is expected to fetch between 1.8 and 2.2 million pounds.

Other important pieces in the collection are a rare bowenite Buddha by Carl Faberge estimated to be worth 250-350,000 pounds and a sapphire and diamond necklace by Harry Winston estimated at 120-150,000 pounds.

Christina Onassis, after whom Aristotle’s famous luxury yacht was named, saw her father, brother and mother die in a period of just 24 months. She died aged 37 after a history of drug abuse, weight problems and four failed marriages. She had a daughter, Athina, who was three years old when her mother passed away.