8 Dazzling Pieces from the Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Auction

Christie’s New York will kick off its Magnificent Jewels sale on April 16 at Rockefeller Center. The spring auction is centered around a handful of sensational diamonds and gemstones, along with a selection of signed jewels by leading houses such as Harry Winston, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, and master artisans, including Paul Flato, René Boivin, and Suzanne Belperron.

Here, we share eight of the most stunning pieces that are hitting the block.

A twin-stone fancy vivid blue diamond ring of 3.06 and 2.61 carats. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's

1. The top lot is a stunning twin-stone fancy vivid blue diamond ring of 3.06 and 2.61 carats hitting the market for between $6 million and $8 million. Other showstoppers include a marquise-cut diamond ring of 16.69 carats, D color, type IIa, on offer for $1.2 million to $1.8 million.

Art Deco diamond and ruby bracelet by Raymond Yard. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's

2. A Raymond Yard bracelet featuring calibré-cut rubies and old-, baguette-, hexagonal- and bullet-shaped diamonds set in platinum from circa 1925. Yard counted among his clients the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Woolworths, and DuPonts, who were drawn to his refined Deco designs. It is on offer for $50,000 to $70,000.

A pair of emerald and diamond clip brooches by Paul Flato Photo: Courtesy of Christie's

3. An unusual pair of circa-1940 emerald and diamond clip brooches set in platinum by Paul Flato, the American jeweler known for his whimsical, vibrant designs. This pair—on offer for $100,000 to $150,000—are from the collection of Hollywood starlet Jean Howard and composer Cole Porter.

Jean Michel Schlumberger, Tiffany & Co. brooch. Photo: Christie's New York

4. Jean Michel Schlumberger was discovered by Elsa Schiaparelli, who had come across some of his handcrafted flower brooches in Meissen porcelain. He is now considered one of the leading 20th-century jewelry designers, and his delightful sea creatures and animals remain his most coveted by jewelry collectors. This dolphin brooch, made in gold, diamond, and sapphire, is an excellent example of the elegance and charm of Schlumberger’s work for Tiffany & Co., and no more than ten were ever made. It was also a gift from Elizabeth Taylor to Richard Burton on the occasion of the premiere of his film The Night of the Iguna (1964). Its estimate is $50,000 to $70,000.

Van Cleef Zip necklace. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's

5. This gold, ruby, and diamond Zip necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels is on offer for $150,000 to $250,000. The retro piece features circular-cut rubies and diamonds, 18K gold, and platinum (French marks), and can be may be worn as a bracelet or a necklace. Considered a breakthrough in jewelry design, the iconic zip idea was said to be conceived in the 1930s for the ever fashionable Duchess of Windsor, who asked the house’s creative director at the time to create a jeweled zip fastener to wear with her evening gowns.

Suzanne Belperron’s onyx and rose-cut diamond brooch. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's

6. This Art Deco onyx and diamond brooch by Suzanne Belperron is on offer for $60,000 to $80,000. Featuring carved onyx studded with old- and rose-cut diamonds, the dazzling brooch is set in 18K white gold and platinum, reflecting Belperron’s penchant for cutting-edge design.

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René Lalique brooch. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's

7. A stunning circa-1900 pendant brooch by René Lalique featuring his signature molded green and blue glass, blue-green plique-à-jour enamel, oval-cut aquamarines, single- and old-cut diamonds, and gold is on offer for $60,000 to $80,000. His Art Nouveau brooches and combs attracted great attention at the Paris international exhibition in 1900, after which he became a celebrated jeweler. This is a beautiful example of his early work and was featured in René Lalique: Schmuck und Objets d’art 1890–1910, a catalogue by Sigrid Barten.

Carnet earrings. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's

8. This is a pair of tanzanite, rubellite tourmaline, sapphire, and diamond earrings in titanium and 18K white gold by Carnet. Michelle Ong, the Hong Kong–based jeweler behind Carnet, is celebrated for her bespoke creations, many of which were featured in the blockbuster Crazy Rich Asians. 

Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale takes place at 20 Rockefeller Center on April 16.