Jewels worth $5 million sold at Christie's Paris auction

The auction was highlighted by a wide selection of diamonds achieving strong results. A 14.7 carats Marquise cut diamond, color E, clarity Si1 (ill. above), estimated at €120,000-150,000, realised €437,500 ($35,322 per ct). A rectangular diamond of 11.22 carats, color H and clarity VS2 was sold for €237,500, ($25,167 per ct) more than doubling its presale estimate.

Colored stones magnified by creators from the Place Vendôme in Paris attracted also collectors. A pair of  a ruby and diamond 'serti mystérieux' earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels achieved €137,500 against a presale estimate of €20,000-40,000; a retro ruby and diamond 'Ludo briquettes' bracelet transformable into double clips was acquired for €93,500, tripling its estimate. A legendary Ballerina brooch by Van Cleef and Arpels was sold for €106,250, doubling its estimate.

Strong results also for an Art Deco enamel brooch by Jean Desprès (1889-1980) realised €40,000. A delicate diamond, pearl and cultured pearl earrings by René Boivin was sold for €52,500, estimated at €10,000-20,000.

Violaine d’Astorg, Director of the Jewels department in France comments: “This last jewellery auction of the season demonstrated the continued strength of the jewellery market despite the challenges due to the pandemic. Limited exhibition time, auctions without public in the room, were compensated by intense activity on the phone and over Christie’s Live. Strong prices for diamonds, coloured stones and vintage jewels were observed not only in Paris on December 9 but also most recently in Hong Kong, Geneva and New York.”