Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York on Tuesday achieved a stellar $49.2 million in total sales, with a rare 5.72-carat fancy intense blue diamond leading the way at $8.8 million. The cushion-shaped blue diamond, featuring VVS1 clarity, was set in a platinum ring flanked by round diamonds. This sale marked the second-highest price achieved for a jewel globally in 2024, according to Christie’s.
The auction, held at Christie’s Rockefeller Center headquarters, saw strong performances from various high-profile brands, particularly Harry Winston, whose pieces garnered significant attention. A pair of platinum and 18k yellow gold earrings featuring oval mixed-cut reddish-pink spinels from Tanzania fetched $2.2 million, nearly four times their high estimate. The spinels, weighing 22.42 and 21.87 carats, were left untreated, adding to their value. Another highlight from Harry Winston was a pair of platinum cluster earrings featuring flawless D-color diamonds, which sold for over $1.8 million, exceeding its high estimate.
Van Cleef & Arpels stood out as the most prolific of the signed jewel brands at the auction, with all 27 lots selling, many exceeding expectations. The most valuable piece in the collection was a ruby and mystery-set interchangeable “Mysterious Ribbon” necklace, which fetched $1.3 million, well above its high estimate. This piece, crafted in 18k white gold and accented with rubies and diamonds, captivated bidders with its unique design.
Among the auction’s private collections, the 16-piece Collection of Mica Ertegun, a renowned interior designer and philanthropist, earned particular attention. The collection, which featured signed pieces from David Webb, Buccellati, and Van Cleef & Arpels, sold for a total of over $2.6 million. A Cartier Art Deco platinum and multi-gem brooch from 1914, featuring briolette-cut pink tourmaline and carved ruby, led the collection with a remarkable $1.3 million sale, nearly ten times its high estimate.
Other highlights included a JAR ruby and diamond torsade necklace, which sold for $378,000, more than three times its high estimate, and a set of old European brilliant-cut diamond earrings, which fetched $352,800, more than double their high estimate.
In addition, a private collection of 15 jewels by French jeweler Suzanne Belperron, dubbed “Jewels as Art,” drew significant bidding interest. The collection, which achieved nearly $3.6 million, was led by a “Tube” bracelet from 1948, which sold for $945,000, far surpassing its high estimate. A rock crystal and diamond cuff bracelet from 1934 also exceeded expectations, fetching $415,800.
Overall, the auction saw 97% of lots sell, with global participation driving the success of the event, according to Christie’s.
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