Sotheby’s New York Auction of MAGNIFICENT JEWELS - April 29th

Sotheby’s New York Auction of

MAGNIFICENT JEWELS

Featuring 

Singular Colored Gemstones

&

Jewels from the Estate of Eydie Gorme:

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NEW YORK, 29 APRIL 2014

Sotheby’s annual spring auction of Magnificent Jewels in New York will be held on 29 April 2014. The auction will offer more than 450 lots at a wide range of estimates, together expected to achieve more than $37 million*. Highlights from the sale have traveled to three continents this spring, and will return to New York for exhibition in Sotheby’s York Avenue galleries beginning 25 April. The exhibition also will include: highlights from the 13 May sale of Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels in Geneva; a selection of Important Watches to be sold on 10 June; and pieces from our Sotheby’s Diamonds retail collection.

AN EXCEPTIONAL KASHMIR SAPPHIRE

The April sale will offer one of the finest Kashmir sapphires ever to appear at auction. The Exceptional Platinum, Sapphire and Diamond Ring (est. $4/5 million) features a square emerald-cut Kashmir sapphire weighing 28.18 carats set in a tapered baguette diamond mounting designed by Oscar Heyman & Brothers.

The stone has no indications of heat treatment and is described by the American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) as “a gem of singular importance.”   According to the AGL, “It possesses the quintessential, velvety blue color that distinguishes a fine Kashmir sapphire….The pleasing color of this sapphire is further enhanced by a square emerald-cut fashioning which resulting in deep, internal color reflections and brilliance that complement the overall visual appearance of the stone, as well as a high clarity that results in a heightened degree of transparency.” 

Gary Schuler, Senior Vice President and Director of the New York Jewelry Department commented: “The current world record price per carat for a Kashmir sapphire at auction is $175,821, achieved for the Richelieu Sapphires (26.66 and 20.88 carats) at Sotheby’s in Geneva in November 2013. The exceptional quality of this sapphire has the potential to reach historic heights as well, with proceeds benefiting a charitable foundation.”

MAGNIFICENT DIAMONDS 
and COLORED STONES

The selection of colored diamonds on offer in April is led by the Magnificent Fancy Intense Orangy Pink Diamond and Diamond Ring (est. $6/7 million). The beautifully-shaped, cushion-cut diamond of 15.23 carats, VS2 clarity, displays a soft, feminine color reminiscent of pink diamonds in historic and royal collections.

Also highlighting the important stones in the sale is The El Dorado Emerald (est. $1.8/2.2 million), an emerald-cut Colombian emerald weighing 36.53 carats, set in a platinum, 18 karat gold and diamond ring mounting. A prime example of the finest emerald material, the Classic Colombian emerald combines size, color and clarity without any kind of oil or resin enhancement.

In total, the April auction will offer more than 30 top-quality white diamond rings and diamond ear-studs weighing between 5 and 15 carats, estimated from $50,000 to $900,000.

  

JEWELS FROM THE ESTATE 
OF EYDIE GORME

The April auction will offer a stunning, romantic selection of jewels from the estate of Eydie Gorme, comprising both classic diamonds and decorative pieces. Almost all of the jewels in the collection were given to Gorme by her husband Steve Lawrence – together for more than 55 years, ‘Steve and Eydie’ reigned for decades as America’s most sophisticated and award-winning pop vocal duet.

Highlighting the collection are a Platinum and Diamond Ring, Harry Winston, 17.40 carats (est. $350/450,000) and a Platinum and Diamond Ring, set with a marquise-shape diamond of 7.51 carats, D color, Internally Flawless (est. $350/450,000) that Gorme received from Lawrence on the occasion of their 10^th wedding anniversary.  Also featured is a rivière style Platinum and Diamond Necklace (est. $250/350,000), which Lawrence gave to his wife for their 25^th wedding anniversary.

Lisa Hubbard, Chairman, The Americas, Sotheby’s International Jewelry Division said: “Not only were Eydie Gorme and Steve Lawrence gifted performers, they were a wonderful love story. Her very personal jewelry collection is a testament to one of the great, enduring romances in show business history. Eydie dreamed of one day owning a diamond in every classic shape, and Steve Lawrence made her dreams come true.”

ICONIC & VINTAGE SIGNED JEWELS

An Art Deco period Platinum, Emerald and Diamond Bracelet, Cartier, France, (est. $700/900,000) from a private collection leads the selection of beautiful signed jewels on offer in April. Also by Cartier is the iconic 18 Karat Gold, Colored Diamond, Diamond, Onyx and Emerald Bangle-Bracelet (est. $600/800,000) designed as twin tigers in repose on the wrist. In the menagerie of bejeweled animals created by Cartier, it is the felines, originally conceived by Jeanne Toussaint – the enlightened director of Haute Joallerie for Cartier during their most innovative years, who leapt into fashion history accessorizing the world’s best-dressed women. From Daisy Fellowes and Princess Nina Aga Khan to Barbara Hutton, Cartier’s ‘big cat’ jewels were much admired by the social elite once the trend-setting Duchess of Windsor was seen sporting their sleek, distinctive silhouettes in the late 1940s and 1950s. The influence of Jeanne Toussaint’s early designs has been ever-present in Cartier’s jewels for more than seventy years, as the cats remain one of the jeweler’s most popular motifs around the world.    

Another highlight of the signed jewels is the Gold, Fancy Intense Yellow Diamond and Emerald Ring, designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, signed Tiffany & Co., and made circa 1915-1920 (est. $100/150,000). On offer from a private collection, this rare example of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s work with yellow diamonds presents a lovely marquise-shaped diamond of 4.27 carats – potentially Internally Flawless – within an intricate filigree mounting reminiscent of ancient jewelry motifs.

FASHIONABLE DESIGNS

Fashion-forward collectors will love the array of jewels by Tony Duquette, the legendary American artist and designer whose fantastic jewels are distinguished by his bold use of color and volume. Featured from the collection of best-selling author Danielle Steel is Duquette’s Gold and Smoky Quartz Bracelet (est. $15/20,000), designed with nearly 700 carats of emerald-cut smoky quartz links. Collectors will also find bold style and vibrant color in pieces made by René Boivin, David Webb and contemporary designer Michele del la Valle.  

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Sotheby’s has been uniting collectors with world-class works of art since 1744. Sotheby’s became the first international auction house when it expanded from London to New York (1955), the first to conduct sales in Hong Kong (1973) and France (2001), andthe first international fine art auction house in China (2012). Today, Sotheby’s presents auctions in eight different salesrooms, including New York, London, Hong Kong and Paris, and Sotheby’s BidNow program allows visitors to view all auctions live online and place bids in real-time from anywhere in the world. Sotheby’s offers collectors the resources of Sotheby’s Financial Services, the world’s only full-service art financing company, as well as private sale opportunities in more than 70 categories, including S|2, the gallery arm of Sotheby’s Contemporary Art department, as well as Sotheby’s Diamonds and Sotheby’s Wine. Sotheby’s has aglobal network of 90 offices in 40 countries and is the oldest company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (BID).

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium and prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.

Auction Jewel: Skinner Fine Jewelry Auction Grosses $2.8M

Skinner Fine Jewelry Auction Grosses $2.8M

Cartier Art Deco pendant claims top bid

BOSTON, Mass. – Skinner, Inc. today announced strong results for its recent Fine Jewelry sale held Tuesday, June 12^th. The highly successful sale grossed $2.8 million including buyer’s premium, surpassing the pre-auction estimate high. Colored stones, Art Deco pieces, diamonds, and natural pearls were especially strong performers.

Art Deco & Diamonds

Both period pieces and diamonds produced exceptional results as highlighted by the auction’s top seller, an exquisite Art Deco diamond pendant necklace by Cartier. The necklace brought $325,000 and features a pear-shaped diamond, weighing 7.93 cts., accompanied by a GIA certificate, stating that the diamond is F color, VS1 clarity.

Other Art Deco pieces that brought excellent results include a Tiffany & Co. cushion-cut diamond ring weighing 3.92 cts. which sold for $142,200, and a platinum star sapphire and diamond ring that brought $15,405. A unique set of five Art Deco platinum and gem-set acrostic stacking rings set with a square-cut diamond, cabochon emerald, cabochon amethyst and fancy cut ruby also performed well, bringing in $22,515.

Colored Stones

Top-quality colored stones realized extraordinary prices. An outstanding example was an antique Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring, set with a cabochon sapphire weighing 9.92 cts., accompanied by an AGL report and a Gubelin report stating Kashmir origin, with no evidence of heat treatment. This exquisite gem sold for an impressive $189,600, surpassing its presale estimate high of $50,000.

Other top-performing colored stones include a bezel-set sapphire and diamond ring that sold for $36,735 and an emerald and diamond brooch that brought $22,515.

Natural Pearls

Natural pearl necklaces have been in great demand recently. The June 12^th sale featured a five-strand natural pearl necklace with an emerald and diamond clasp that auctioned for $77,025 and a double strand natural pearl necklace that brought $56,880.

Skinner, Inc. will hold its next Fine Jewelry auction on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 in its Boston gallery.  For information on consignment, please contact the Skinner Fine Jewelry department at (617) 874-4305 or jewelry@skinnerinc.com.

 

About Skinner

Skinner, Inc. is one of the world’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Works of Art, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20^th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Silver, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Discovery and Science, Technology & Clocks.  Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Marlborough, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.

New World Record Prices at Christie's Geneva

CHRISTIE’S GENEVA 


SETS NEW WORLD RECORD PRICES

FOR A HEART-SHAPED DIAMOND

FOR ANY SAPPHIRE

FOR ANY INDIAN JEWEL

SOLD AT AUCTION

Christie's sale of magnificent jewels in Geneva achieved a total of more than $78M, the highest result for any jewellery auction ever held by the auction house in Switzerland. The top lot was a 56 ct heart-shaped diamond, which sold for more than $10M becoming the most expensive heart-shaped diamond ever sold at auction.


François Curiel, President of Christie's Switzerland :

 “The jewellery sale in Geneva was marked by strong bidding with moments of passionate enthusiasm, exemplified by an antique Imperial Mughal spinel necklace realising more than $5M. While the ‘blue chip’ diamonds and coloured diamonds were in great demand, a 130 ct Burmese sapphire stole the show at $7.1M. Forty-two years after our first sale in Switzerland, Geneva remains a vital, specialised auction centre in today’s global market.”

The TOP LOT of the sale was a 

heart-shaped D colour, internally flawless, type IIa diamond 

of 56.15 cts which sold for US$ 10,946,422, 

becoming a world auction record for any heart-shaped diamond.

Previous record for a heart-shaped diamond:
Heart of the Desert Diamond
A heart-shaped D, internally flawless, diamond of 64.42 cts
Sold on 16 November 1994 at Sotheby’s Geneva for US$ 5,248,846

A cushion-cut Burmese sapphire of 130.50 cts sold for US$7,122,742, achieving a new world record price for a sapphire at auction (illustrated right).


Previous record for a sapphire:
A cushion-cut Kashmir sapphire ring 
of 42.48 cts
Sold on 28 November 2008 at Christie's Geneva for US$ 3,475,210

An Imperial Mughal spinel necklace sold for US$ 5,210,902 setting a world record price for any Indian jewel at auction (illustrated left).


Previous record for an Indian jewel:
A Mughal ruby, emerald and jade covered flask
North India, first half of 17th Century
The Clive of India Treasure
Sold on 27 April 2004 at Christie’s London for US$ 5,210,209

About Christie’s
Christie’s, the world's leading art business had global auction and private sales in 2010 that totaled £3.3 billion/$5.0 billion.  Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's conducted the greatest auctions of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and today remains a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers over 450 sales annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie’s has 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 sale rooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Zurich, Dubai and Hong Kong. More recently, Christie’s has led the market with expanded initiatives in emerging and new markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai.

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyer’s or seller’s credits.


Photo Credit:  Denis Hayoun - Diode SA