Police recover $19,000 Faberge egg swallowed by thief: 'Passed naturally'

New Zealand Police have recovered the Feberge egg pendant worth $19,000 which a thief swallowed at a jewelry store.

A statement released by police states, “No medical intervention was required and the pendant passed naturally”.

The James Bond inspired pendant was stolen by a 32-year-old man on November 28, 2025, from the Partridge Jewelers store in Auckland. The unnamed thief was arrested and placed under close police observation.

The photo of the recovered pendant released on Thursday, December 4, showed the price tag of $19,000 intact with the long gold chain.

The special edition pendant is equally the size of a large finger nail and it consists of:

• 18-Carat yellow gold
• 60 White diamonds
• 15 blue sapphires

The man accused of swallowing the Feberge egg remains in custody and has undergone a medical assessment.

A police officer said, “Given the circumstances of what has occurred, we have a duty of care to continue monitoring him.”

He will be produced before Auckland district court on Monday.

The pendant has subtle nods to the 1983 James Bond film, Octopussy, in which James Bond becomes involved in a bidding war for a Fabergé egg at an auction. He later swaps it with a fake one, in the movie.