Stunning jewels from the Christie's and Sotheby's auctions in New York.
Photo: Courtesy of the auction houses
9 of the Most Exceptional Jewels Sold at Auction in New York
From an $8.8 million fancy intense blue diamond at Christies to a $5.5 million Burmese ruby and diamond ring selling at Sothebys, these are the top sales of the week
It was a treasure trove of riches at the New York jewelry auctions last week with extraordinarily rare colored stones, highly collectible jewels from prominent collections, and unique signed pieces by some of the jewelry world’s most important makers leading the sales.
The Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale, which took place on December 11, achieved $49.2 million in total, selling 97% by lot. The top lot of the sale was a Fancy Intense Blue diamond of 5.72 carats which surpassed its high estimate to realize $8,805,000. A highlight was the offering of exquisite jewelry from the collection of Mica Ertegun, the Romanian-born philanthropist known for her discerning eye.
“The sale in New York was testament to the vibrant market for jewelry of the highest caliber with singular provenance,” says Rahul Kadakia, Christie‘s International Head of Jewelry. “We were particularly pleased with the result of the top lot, a fantastic Fancy Intense Blue diamond ring that sold for $8.8 million. We also were deeply honored to sell jewels from several of the world’s most esteemed private collectors, including Mica Ertegun. Offering this selection of jewelry hailing from the collection Mica Ertegun was a tribute to her brilliant eye, and we are thrilled by the exceptional outcome.”
Sotheby’s, meanwhile, was equally pleased with their Magnificent Jewels sale, which achieved a total of $30 million. There was a notably strong demand for rare colored gemstones, top quality white and colored diamonds, as well as signed jewels from the likes of Graff and Van Cleef & Arpels.
“We are incredibly proud of today’s strong results, which further underscore the market’s growing confidence and sets a promising tone for our sales in the year ahead,” says Quig Bruning, Head of Sotheby’s Jewels, Americas & EMEA. “The enthusiasm from international collectors translated into strong bidding across the board—in clear recognition of the rare and world-class pieces we offered, including the remarkable ruby, as well as the thriving white diamond market.” Phillips’s New York Jewels Auction, which took place on Dec. 13, also featured a selection of rare and exquisite pieces and saw impressive results exceeding their pre-sale estimates.
Below, see the top nine lots of the week.
Colored diamond ring. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's
1. 5.72-carat Fancy Intense Blue Diamond Ring | $8.8 Million
This 5.72-carat fancy intense blue diamond sold for more than $8.8 million at the Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction. The top lot at the sale, it was the second highest price achieved for a jewel in 2024 globally, according the house. The cushion-shaped brilliant-cut blue diamond with VVS1 clarity is mounted on a platinum ring and flanked by round diamonds.
Burmese Ruby and Diamond Ring. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
2. 10.33-carat Burmese Ruby and Diamond Ring | $5.5 Million
Two bidders on the phone and one in the room drove the price up in a bidding war for this exceptional and rare 10.33-carat Burmese ruby and diamond ring. The untreated ruby was the star lot of the Sotheby’s auction in New York, achieving $5.5 million and far exceeding its low estimate of $1 million.
Alexandrite Ring. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
3. 16.53-carat Alexandrite Ring | $1.9 Million
According to Anna Ruzhnikov, Head of Magnificent Jewels at Sotheby’s, the market for Alexandrites has been experiencing a surge recently. This 16.53-carat ring is of the finest gem-quality, selling for $1.9 million, nearly five times its estimate of $400,000 – 600,000. “This record-breaking price is a well-deserved reflection of its exceptional quality,” says Ruzhnikov. “It’s incredibly exciting to witness Alexandrites reaching such remarkable new heights in the market and equally thrilling to see the growing recognition among collectors, who are now embracing these gemstones as not only rare and beautiful but on par with the legendary sapphires, emeralds, and rubies in terms of desirability and value.”
Cartier Art Deco Multi-Gem and Diamond Brooch. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's
4. Cartier Art Deco Multi-Gem and Diamond Brooch | $1,381,000
The highest price within the exquisite collection of Mica Ertegun at Christie’s was this Cartier Art Deco Multi-Gem and Diamond Brooch. After a fierce bidding battle, it realized $1.38 million, more than ten times its low estimate of $100,000.
Harry Winston Spinel Earrings. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's
5. Harry Winston Spinel Earrings | $2.2 Million
This pair of earrings feature no-heat, no-enhancement Tanzanian spinels weighing 22.42 and 21.87 carats. A matching pair of the stone in this size is incredibly rare. They sold for $2.2 million.
Graff Diamond Necklace. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
6. Graff Diamond Necklace | $1.8 Million
This Graff diamond necklace hailing from the collection of beauty entrepreneur Sydell Miller went under the hammer with an estimate of $1.5 million, and sold for $1.8 million. Reflecting her love of bold statement jewelry, it is composed of graduated pear-shaped diamonds, with a detachable central drop set with a pear-shaped diamond weighing 18.00 carats, all of D color.
Fancy Intense Purplish Pink Diamond. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
7. Fancy Intense Purplish Pink Diamond | $3.4 Million
The ongoing draw for colored diamonds was seen at Sotheby’s when a 7-carat Fancy Intense Purplish Pink Diamond sold for $3.4 million after being chased by two bidders in the room and over the phones for nearly four minutes.
Suzanne Belperron Diamond “Tube” Bracelet. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's
8. Suzanne Belperron Diamond “Tube” Bracelet | $945,000
Considered today one of the most influential and unique jewelry designers of the 20th century, Suzanne Belperron’s jewelry seems just as modern as it did almost a century ago. Her allure remains, as this striking diamond “Tube” bracelet was a highlight at the Christie’s sale, realizing $945,000, significantly surpassing its low estimate of $400,000.
Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond.
9. Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond | $254,000
Standout colored gems led the sale at Phillips last week as this ring featuring a pear-shaped diamond weighing 5.03 carats, and a similarly shaped fancy vivid yellow diamond weighing 3.61 carats, accented with brilliant-cut diamonds sold for $254,000.
Cover: Stunning jewels from the Christie's and Sotheby's auctions in New York.
Photo: Courtesy of the auction houses
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