Cartier Bracelet Soars Past Estimate at Sotheby’s

Sothebys Geneva Saphhire and Diamond Bracelet

A sapphire and diamond bracelet fetched more than double its high estimate at Sotheby’s Geneva auction, selling to a female Asian collector after a bidding war.

The piece contains a 47.07-carat, royal-blue Burmese sapphire center stone with high clarity, cut in a cabochon shape and flanked by two pear-shaped white diamonds weighing 9.27 carats and 8.60 carats. Created by Cartier in 1927, the bracelet fetched $6.1 million against a high estimate of $3 million, and earned one of the highest prices at auction for an Art Deco bracelet.

In total, the Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale on Wednesday brought in $53.9 million, with 80% of lots sold, more than half of which exceeded their estimates.

“With its sensational ‘sugar loaf’ Burmese sapphire and powerful geometric design, the Cartier bracelet that led tonight’s sale was a true masterpiece, among the most important Art Deco pieces we’ve ever handled,” said David Bennett, worldwide chairman of Sotheby’s jewelry division.

The bracelet spearheaded a strong showing for Art Deco pieces, which achieved a combined $9.6 million at the sale, against a high estimate of $6 million, Sotheby’s noted.

A 6.03-carat, fancy-intense-purple-pink diamond pendant estimated at $2.5 million to $3.5 million garnered $3.4 million, while a diamond pendant weighing 78.29 carats went for $2.9 million, beating its $2.8 million high estimate.

A set of diamond jewels by Moussaieff, including a necklace, earrings and a bracelet, brought in $2.7 million. The collection was estimated at $2 million to $4 million.

Other notable items, many of which sold for well above their estimates, included a sapphire and diamond necklace set with a 14.97-carat Kashmir sapphire. The piece, dated 1890, fetched $1.4 million against its upper estimate of $800,000, while an emerald and diamond pendant-brooch combination, created by Cartier in 1927, garnered $1.1 million, smashing its $250,000 high estimate.

Meanwhile, Sotheby’s sold 93% of the jewels on offer from an Asian-American private collection, fetching a total of $12.7 million, against a high estimate of $8.9 million, the auction house said. The sale noted strong activity from Asian collectors, approximately half of whom were female buyers, more than double the number of women purchasers five years ago, Sotheby’s added.

Source: Diamonds.net

Phillips to Sell Rare Pink Diamond Collection

Argyle pink diamond earrings.

Rare pink diamonds from Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine in Australia will lead the upcoming Hong Kong Jewels and Jadeite auction at Phillips next month.

The collection comprises 16 jewelry pieces, each incorporating stones from the Argyle deposit, which is the only known source of pink diamonds and is due to close next year. Chief among these will be a ring that can be converted into a pair of ear studs. The piece, which features two heart-shaped, fancy-intense-purplish-pink diamonds, has a presale estimate of HKD 5.8 million to HKD 6.8 million ($739,860 to $867,423).

Other items include a pair of fancy pink diamond, seed pearl and white diamond earrings designed by London-based jeweler Sarah Ho, which is expected to fetch HKD 110,000 to HKD 150,000 ($14,031 to $19,134). A ring by Singapore-based gemologist Paige Parker, featuring pink, yellow and white diamonds, has a presale estimate of HKD 260,000 to HKD 320,000 ($33,166 to $40,820). Another ring by Hong Kong jewelry designer Karen Suen, in which pink and white diamonds are set around a conch pearl, is meanwhile valued at up to HKD 620,000 ($79,087).

Two further items from the collection, also up for auction, feature Columbian Muzo emeralds alongside Argyle pink diamonds. A necklace, expected to garner up to HKD 2.2 million ($280, 640), will go under the hammer alongside a pair of emerald, white and pink diamond pendant earrings with a presale estimate of up to HKD 630,000 ($80,367).

Additional pieces, outside of the pink diamond collection, include a jadeite bead and diamond necklace, which is expected to fetch between HKD 8.5 million and HKD 11 million ($1.1 million to $1.4 million). A rare Van Cleef & Arpels zip necklace, including diamonds, sapphires and lapis lazuli, is expected to net up to HKD 4.5 million ($574,042).

The auction will take place at the JW Marriott in Hong Kong on November 25. It will be preceded by a three-day public exhibition at the same location.

Source: Diamonds.net