It looks like Christie’s first jewellery auction of the year will be a blinder.
Running from 11 to 21 March, the Jewels Online sale comprises a spectacular assortment of signed jewels, diamonds, and coloured gemstones. The 200 lots include rarified bling by industry heavyweights such as David Webb, Cartier, and Jean Schlumberger. The pièce de résistance, however, is a dazzling diamond ring by American jeweller Harry Winston.
The pear-shaped, brilliant-cut diamond at the centre of the platinum ring totals an impressive 17.09 carats. It is a D-colour stone of VVS2 clarity with perfect symmetry and polish, according to a report by the Gemological Institute of America. Tapered baguette-cut diamonds sit on either side of the main stone, creating a truly eye-catching piece. All that bling comes at a cost, of course, with the ring expected to fetch between US$700,000 and US$1 million (HK$5.4 million and HK$7.8 million) at the auction.
Image courtesy of Christie’s
If you don’t win the Harry Winston, try your luck with two other diamond rings. The first stunning piece is topped by a fancy blue diamond of 1.13 carats (estimate: US$150,000 to US$250,000/HK$1.1 million to HK$1.9 million), and the second gold design is adorned with a fancy yellow diamond of 10.01 carats and two smaller, clear diamonds (estimate: US$70,000 and US$100,000/HK$547,375 and HK$781,965).
The sale will also offer an impressive collection of Bulgari pieces that range from a gold necklace with matching earrings to a multi-gem butterfly brooch from 1965 (estimate: US$15,000 to US$20,000/HK$117,295 to HK$156,395). Other highlights include a 1960s Van Cleef & Arpels diamond and gold evening bag (high estimate: US$20,000/HK$156,395) and an Art Deco-inspired ring by Dreicer & Co from 1920 (estimate: US$15,000 and US$20,000/HK$117,295 and HK$156,395).
Image courtesy of Christie’s
Most antique, vintage, and contemporary jewels in the sale are from “A Fashionable Life: The Collection of an Elegant Lady” and “Property from the Collection of Fritz and Lucy Jewett.” Two charitable collections will also be presented. Proceeds from the “Collection of Nate Berkus” will benefit the Grace Church School in New York City. That means you can feel extra good about buying that bling.
You can view the auction highlights in a New York exhibition at Christie’s Rockefeller Center location from 17 to 20 March. Bidding opens on 11 March.
