Rockefeller Emerald is top lot at Christie’s live auction of Magnificent Jewels

Christie’s New York concluded its live auction of Magnificent Jewels, with sales worth $26,126,500 and the Rockefeller Emerald selling as the top lot. The auction was held on June 20.

The Rockefeller Emerald, sold on behalf of a private American Collector, realized $5,511,500 setting a new world auction record per carat of $305,000 to famed jeweler Harry Winston.

CFO Robert Scott was bidding in Christie’s Rockefeller Plaza saleroom with instructions from Harry Winston CEO Nayla Hayek to “bring this magnificent gem home at any price.” Following the sale, Nayla Hayek commented “Harry Winston is immensely proud to own the finest emerald in the world which once belonged to one of America’s most important dynasties.”

Strong results were achieved above estimate for jewels from an important private collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany and Tiffany & Co. that had once been part of The Garden Museum Collection in Japan, including a green tourmaline, diamond and gold necklace, a nephrite, amethyst and sapphire necklace and a multi-gem and vari-colored enamel pendant necklace featuring a large sapphire drop. Stellar results were also realized from a group of Cartier Art Deco boxes and accessories, along with an Exquisite Coral, Diamond and Pearl tiara, by Cartier.

Tom Burstein, Christie’s US Head of Jewelry: “The historic Rockefeller Emerald and museum-level collections of Louis Comfort Tiffany and Cartier objects, formed the core of what was a truly a Magnificent Jewels auction. The record prices achieved by the Rockefeller Emerald and Fancy Deep Grayish Bluish Green diamond coupled with competitive bidding for signed jewelry underscores the strength in the market for pieces of the highest quality. Our jewelry team is proud to finish the first half on such a strong note and we look forward to the fall sales season.”