Sotheby’s sale to be highlighted by Apollo & Artemis Diamonds

Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels, to be held in Geneva on 16 may 2017 will be highlighted with the ‘Apollo & Artemis Diamonds’, two exceptional diamonds in their own right. Together, these diamonds form the most valuable earrings ever to be offered at auction although they would be offered separately as individual lots.

‘The Apollo Blue’ will be presented with an estimate of $38 – 50 million and ‘The Artemis Pink’ will carry an estimated between $12.5 –18 million.

This is the first time, the Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale will be held in the Mandarin Oriental, Geneva. The auction will also include a very fine selection of coloured diamonds and gemstones, as well as jewels bearing the signature of some of the world’s most important and sought-after jewellery houses: Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Bulgari. For the first time, the Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale will be held in the Mandarin Oriental, Geneva.

David Bennett, Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby’s International Jewellery Division, described the auction: “It has been an honour to present the ‘Apollo and Artemis Diamonds’ during our pre-sale exhibitions in Hong Kong, London, Dubai and New York: individually, each of the diamonds is absolutely remarkable and together, they are just breath-taking. We have also had a wonderful response to other prominent lots in the sale, including a wide and exciting selection of stunning signed jewels and high quality gemstones. We are greatly looking forward to our inaugural sales in partnership with the Mandarin Oriental, Geneva”

The Apollo Blue is graded as a Fancy Vivid Blue by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and weighs 14.54 carats and is the largest Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid Blue diamond ever to be offered at auction. It has been cut and polished into a unmodified pear-shape which accentuates its colour. The GIA has also determined that the ‘Apollo Blue’ is a Type IIb diamond.

The 16 carats Artemis Pink displays an elegant and delicate Fancy Intense Pink hue and has been carefully cut into a pear shape, matching the Apollo Blue. The GIA has declared the ‘Artemis Pink’ to be a ‘Type IIa’ diamond.

Among the lots of finest coloured diamonds, the ‘Apollo & Artemis Diamonds’ will lead the group, which also includes a rich and impressive Fancy Intense Purplish Pink diamond by Piaget weighing 7.04 carats, a Fancy Pink hue and weighing 21.11 carats, an exquisite Fancy Vivid Blue diamond of 3.32 carats and stunning depth of colour.

There is also a group of finest diamonds and gemstones, as well as signed jewels from the most desirable and sought-after Jewellery houses. There is a selection of outstanding colourless diamonds, including a diamond ring by Van Cleef & Arpels. There are extraordinary coloured gemstones including sapphires from Kashmir, emeralds from Colombia. Jewels with Noble and Aristocratic provenance will include a sensational pair of natural pearl and diamond ear clips by Alexandre Reza, offered from the collection of a Lady of Title, a timeless diamond ‘rivière’ necklace dating from the mid-19th century and formerly in the collection of Anna Murat, Princess de Poix. A brooch from the ‘golden era’ of Cartier’s production formerly in the collection of Mona, Countess von Bismarck (1897 – 1983). There are also intricate and iconic signed jewels including some of the most creative and iconic designs by great jewellery houses including Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari and Lacloche.