Sapphires reign popular in Christie’s New York Jewels Online Sale; a Sapphire & Diamond Ring Sells 7 times against its Estimated Price

Sapphire jewels from Burma and Ceylon were sold above their estimate. Jewels with rare emeralds as well as fancy colour diamonds along with signed pieces also achieved hefty prices

(L-R) SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND RING PRICE REALIZED: $75,000; SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND EARRINGS PRICE REALISED $27,500; SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND RING PRICE REALISED $37,500 - Courtesy of Christie's

Christie’s New York Online Jewels sale achieved a total of $3,407,375 with 93% sold by value and 160% hammer above low estimate. The sale received record participation with the highest number of bidders for any New York Jewels online sale. There was global participation from 26 countries and 27% new buyers.

Blue Sapphires Galore

Leading the sale was a sapphire and diamond ring that sold for $75,000 against an estimate of $10,000. An octagonal step-cut sapphire of 8.92 carats from Ceylon, baguette-cut diamonds, platinum was sold 7 times higher than its estimate price. Another octagonal step-cut 7.33ct Burmese sapphire and diamond ring realised $43,750, with an estimate of $7000 - $10000. Other sapphire jewels sold at the auction include a cushion-cut Burmese sapphire ring of 10.82cts sold at $37,500, earrings with hexagonal step-cut sapphires of 5.04 and 4.13cts, square and triangular diamonds, 18k white gold and more.

(L-R) DIAMOND RING $47,500, COLORED DIAMOND AND DIAMOND RING $32,500, DIAMOND AND PLATINUM BRACELET $40,000; Courtesy of Christie's

Colours of Promise

Strong prices were achieved for colored gemstones including an emerald and diamond necklace that sold for $50,000 and a suite of amethyst and diamond jewelry that realized $25,000. A ring with oval cabochon-cut Columbian emerald, round and baguette-cut diamonds set in platinum was sold for $62,500. The demand for rare colour gemstones of provenance continues to be on a steady rise.

Signatures of Eternity

Signed pieces performed with exceptional results including jewels by Bvlgari, Cartier, David Webb, Elsa Peretti, JAR, and Van Cleef & Arpels. A signed Bulgari ring with octagonal step-cut Burmese ruby in deep reddish-purplish hue, with round, square and single-cut diamonds, set in 18k white gold, went under the hammer for $40,000 against an estimation of $7,000. Also achieving a sum of $27,500 were a pair of signed Graff Bombé Sapphire earrings with round and pear-shaped diamonds, set in 18k white gold.