Christie’s Jewels: The New York Sale to feature rare collections

Christie’s is organising its Jewels: The New York Sale on October 20, offering over 450 individual pieces, including coloured and colourless diamonds, gemstones, and jewels of notable origin, and a singleowner collection - Jeweled Elegance: The Eye of A Distinguished Collector -comprising over 160 signed jewels from renowned jewellery houses. Over and above the impeccable jewels, are two pieces that highlight this sale: The BVLGARI Blue- the largest triangular-shaped Fancy Vivid Blue diamond ever offered at auction, and a pair of Imperial Topaz, Ruby and Diamond ear pendants by JAR (estimate: $300,000-500,000).

Describing the Jeweled Elegance: The Eye of a Distinguished Collector, this private collection featured signed jewels from designers, including Cartier, David Webb, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Harry Winston, and will feature the entire morning session of the sale. Many of the pieces have been crafted with assistance of Philippe Arpels, President of Van Cleef & Arpels in the U.S. from 1985 to 1991. Iconic designs by Van Cleef & Arpels form the backbone of the collection, including ‘Mystery Set’ jewels - the ruby and diamond ‘Pavot’ Flower Brooch(estimate: $200,000-300,000), coordinating pair of ruby and diamond ear clips from circa 1984 (estimate: $30,000-50,000), ‘Snowflake’ jewels - a diamond and gold “Snowflake” necklace (estimate: $80,000-120,000), coordinating bracelets (estimate: $30,000-50,000) and ear pendants (estimate: $12,000-15,000).

Collections from Harry Winston include - a spectacular D-color potentially internally flawless rectangular-cut diamond ring of 17.65 carats (estimate: $1.5-2 million), the ‘Holly Wreath’ Necklace (estimate: $800,000-1,200,000). Other signed jewels include – ‘Panther’ bracelet by Cartier (estimate: $80,0000-120,000); openwork gold bracelet set with navette-shaped circular-cut diamond links by David Webb (estimate: $30,000-50,000); and a rectangular-cut sapphire and diamond ring of 18.25 carats by Carvin French (estimate: $250,000-350,000).

The afternoon session of the sale will feature important jewels with exceptional provenance - from the collection of Wendy Vanderbilt Lehman, including The Vanderbilt Diamond Necklace, of 24 detachable pear-shaped diamonds (estimate: $400,000-600,000).

Period Jewels - offering examples of Belle Epoque and Art Deco era design, including an elegant Belle Epoque Diamond Bow Brooch by Cartier from circa 1904(estimate: $300,000-500,000), a Belle Epoque Diamond Choker Neckace by Boucheron (estimate: $200,000-400,000). Among the Art Deco period jewels, the highlight is an important Diamond, Multi-Gem and Enamel Sautoir by Mauboussin (estimate: $800,000- 1,200,000) that represents the best of the firm’s “Tutti Frutti” offerings from the 1920’s. Jewels from the modern period will include - an exquisite pair of 1960’s era Diamond “Palm” ear pendants by Cartier (estimate: $250,000-350,000), a rare Diamond, Cultured Pearl, and Lapis Lazuli Choker Necklace designed by Jean Schlumberger in 1976 and produced by Tiffany & Co. (estimate: $70,000-100,000).

Top quality diamonds and gemstones Featuring an exceptional selection of D- and E-color diamonds and rare gemstones, all leading up to the grand finale sale of The BVLGARI Blue, a two-stone diamond ring designed by BVLGARI in the 1970s, with a triangular-shaped, colorless diamond of 9.87 carats paired with a stunning triangular-shaped Fancy Vivid blue diamond of 10.95 carats.

The total sale is expected to achieve in excess of $40 million.