The pear brilliant-cut, D-color, VVS2-clarity, type IIa stone is the lead item in the Jewels Online auction, which will take place from March 11 to 21, Christie’s said Wednesday. This will be the auction house’s first jewelry sale of the year, and will feature a curated selection of signed jewels, diamonds and colored gemstones. Select pieces from the sale will be open for public viewing at the Christie’s showroom in Rockefeller Center.
The auction will include items by well-known design houses such as Cartier, Hemmerle, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels. Also up for sale will be a private collection from philanthropist and sailing enthusiast George Frederick “Fritz” Jewett, Jr. and his wife Lucy.
Two charitable collections will be on the block as well: One to benefit the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) Foundation, and another belonging to interior designer, author and Oprah Winfrey Show guest Nate Berkus. Proceeds from the latter will go toward financial aid at New York’s Grace Church School.
Here are some of the other highlights from the sale:
This ring features a round brilliant-cut, 1.13-carat, fancy-blue, VS2 diamond center stone with baguette-cut sapphires and diamonds on either side. It has a high estimate of $250,000.
A ring with a cut-cornered rectangular modified brilliant-cut, 8.21-carat, fancy-intense-yellow, VS1-clarity diamond is expected to bring in up to $100,000. The lot has no reserve price.
Christie’s will auction this Van Cleef & Arpels necklace featuring pink tourmalines, onyx and diamonds for an estimated $60,000 to $80,000.
This coin and bicolor-gold Tubogas bangle bracelet by Bulgari carries an estimate of up to $80,000. The cuff contains three staters from the ancient city of Corinth, each depicting a Pegasus on one side and the head of the goddess Athena on the other.
A 21.38 carat Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond is to be auctioned tomorrow (31 January) at Sotheby’s Hong Kong with an estimate of HKD 8,000,000 to 11,000,000 HKD ($1m to $1.4m).
The radiant-cut VS1 gem is flanked by two tapered baguette diamonds, mounted in platinum and 18 karat yellow gold, inscribed HW (Harry Winston).
The FCRF (Fancy Color Research Foundation) gives the stone a visual score of 7 out of 12. It says the stone looks slightly larger in relation to its weight, which is an important feature to consider when buying color diamonds.
“A large vivid yellow radiant cut diamond features a low inner grade and prominent colorless patches around the crown area,” it reports. “No significant green or brown undertone is visible in the hue.”
The stone leads the live Important Jewels auction, Sotheby’s first jewelry auction of the year in Hong Kong, comprising a selection of diamonds, colored stones, jadeites and signed jewels.
A 21.52 carat untreated Colombian emerald fetched nearly $1.2 million at Phillips Hong Kong Jewels and Jadeite July auction. The gem sold within estimates all sales include buyer’s premium. Described by the auction house as “exceptional and very rare,” it was the top lot in an otherwise mixed sale where several important lots were left on the block.
Among the items that didn’t sell was the top lot heading into the auction: a 20.25 carat internally flawless fancy vivid yellow diamond set on a diamond ring. Its estimate was $1.1 million to $1.5 million. It was withdrawn prior to the sale. Another item that was withdrawn was a necklace featuring 11 fine oval jadeite cabochons surrounded by brilliant cut diamonds and linked by marquise and pear shaped diamonds set on 18k white gold. Its estimate was $808,000- $1 million.
In addition, a very fine pair of fine jadeite cabochon earrings set on white gold did make it to the block but failed to find a bidder. Its estimate was $750,000 to $1.1 million.
Harry Winston 12.55 carat diamond ring sold for $1.1 million PHILLIPS
An important signed jewel that failed to attract a buyer was a one of a kind Peacock bangle by Chopard. The elaborate high jewelry creation is notable for its resplendent tail feathers that wrap around the wearer’s wrist. This design, marked by numerous details, is adorned with 7,500 gems that required hundreds of hours of study and work. Its estimate was $230,000 to $280,000.
Items that did do well in the sale held on July 8 at the JW Marriott Hong Kong were signed Harry Winston jewels and emeralds, such as the top lot.
Harry Winston Colombian emerald and diamond ear clips sold for $370,960 PHILLIPS
The number two lot in the sale was a a 12.55 carat rectangular step-cut diamond set on a vintage platinum ring, 1953. The D/IF type IIa diamond sold for $1.1 million, within estimates. In addition, a “very fine” pair of 4.52 and 4.44 carat step-cut Colombian “no oil” emerald and diamond ear clips from the famed New York jeweler sold for $370,960, within estimates. A pair of classic diamond cluster ear clips totaling 21.63 carats sold for $209,673, within estimates.
A 6.38 carat cushion-shaped emerald mounted on a platinum and 18k gold ring surrounded by diamonds by Bulgari fetched $403,218, within estimates.
Karen Suen conch pearl, pink diamond and diamond necklace sold for $217,737 PHILLIPS
Three jewels featuring gem quality conch pearls by contemporary Hong Kong jewelry designer, Karen Suen, were part of the sale. One of the three jewels, a conch pearl, pink diamond and diamond necklace fetched $217,737, within estimates. The other pieces, a pair of earrings and a ring made of conch pearls and diamonds failed to sell.
