LONDON, June 11, 2008 (AFP) - Dazzling jewels belonging to the late Greek shipping heiress Christina Onassis fetched 6.8 million pounds (8.6 million euros, 13.3 million dollars) in an auction, Christie's said Wednesday June 11th.

A 38 carat diamond necklace from the collection of Christina Onassis - Photo : Kirsty Wigglesworth/AFp

The highlight of the sale of 44 jewels was a pear-shaped 38-carat diamond, worn by Onassis on a diamond pendant necklace, which sold for 3.625 million pounds, nearly double its pre-sale estimate of up to 2.2 million pounds.

The New York-born daughter of shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, Christina, who married and divorced four times, took over his empire after his death.

She died in 1988, aged 37, of fluid in the lungs and is survived by daughter Athina.

Her collection was part of a larger jewellery auction comprising 230 rings, bracelets, necklaces, pearls, single stones and pieces from jewellers such as Cartier, which brought in a total of 15 million pounds, a British record for any jewellery auction.

The auction had been expected to fetch eight million pounds.