8 Standouts from the Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Sale in New York
The auction included a superb selection of colored and colorless diamonds, with a dazzling 8.82-carat purple-pink diamond ring fetching $6.7 million
April is the birthstone month for diamonds, and the recent Christie’s recent Magnificent Jewels sale, which took place in New York on April 13, proved that the twinkling stone is still the most coveted. While there were a number of dazzling treasures on which to bid, it was an assortment of jaw-dropping diamond rings that led the highly anticipated sale.
Among the beautiful pink and purple spring blooms that filled the auction house at 20 Rockefeller Plaza, the standout diamond was surely the Fuchsia Rose, named after its 8.82-carat purple-pink diamond at the center, flanked by two white diamonds. In the lead up to the sale during the preview days, the ring was often missing from its special vitrine, as it was being tried on and admired by the many jewelry aficionados, press, and collectors who came to visit. The jewel ended up fetching above its high estimate of $6 million, confirming that the demand for colored diamonds prevails.
Other colored diamonds of note on offer were a vivid yellow diamond ring with a diamond of 15.31 carats, which reached $1.32 million, and a fancy intense pink diamond ring of 2.44 carats, which realized $1.62 million. Another much buzzed about item was the fancy blue diamond ring weighing 11.63 carats, with a high estimate of $3.5 million, which failed to sell.
The sale also offered a wonderful collection of signed jewels by the likes of Bvlgari, JAR, Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, many boasting fabulous provenance and history. One such piece is the historic Tiffany & Co. “Subway” pendant watch, an antique diamond and enamel timepiece crafted to celebrate the opening of the New York City subway system. It was a gift for the daughter of John B. McDonald, who was responsible for overseeing the construction of the city’s first subway line, which opened on March 24, 1900. Inside, the timepiece includes some of the actual earth collected from the important day.
While relatively small, the sale turned out to be highly successful, with 68 of the 71 lots on offer sold and more than $25.1 million in overall sales.
Below, see the star pieces.
1. “The Fuschia Rose” Ring
With an 8.82-carat fancy intense purple-pink diamond platinum ring flanked by two colorless diamonds of 6.1 carats, the top lot fetched more than $6.7 million, exceeding its high estimate of $6 million.
2. Jar Brooch
Designed as a miniature watercolor painting, this brooch by trailblazing jewelry designer Jar features round diamonds, green garnets, pink and orange sapphires in a painterly arrangement within an oak wood frame. Once exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2012, it sold for $252,000.
3. Van Cleef & Arpels diamond and multi-gem Pompon Sautoir
With a blue palette of emeralds, turquoise, lapis lazuli, chrysoprase, and onyx with diamonds, this stunning sautoir from Van Cleef & Arpels can be worn in a variety of ways. It realized $403,200.
4. Van Cleef & Arpels Burmese Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Once owned by a member of the Rockefeller family, this mesmerizing ring with a deep royal blue Burmese sapphire (where the most coveted and rare sapphires come from) fetched $478,800, more than doubling its high estimate of $150,000.
5. Cartier Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Bracelet
Crafted during the peak of the Art Deco era, this 1925 bracelet features a tessellated assortment of cushion and calibré-cut Burmese rubies, old and single-cut diamonds, set in platinum, and it realized $529,200 against its high estimate of $300,000.
6. Antique Tiffany & Co. Diamond and Enamel Subway Pendant
This rare and historic antique diamond and enamel “Subway” pendant-watch was commissioned to commemorate the groundbreaking of the New York City subway in early 1900. It sold for $70,560, more than double its $30,000 high estimate.
7. Art Deco Emerald Necklace
This striking Art Deco necklace, crafted circa 1925, is lined with modified round to free-form drilled bead emeralds, single-cut diamonds, round cabochon sapphires, pearls, and rock crystal rondelles. It sold for $504,000, far exceeding its $150,000 high estimate.
8. Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond Ring
This 15.31-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond ring fetched more than $1.3 million.