The ring, set with what has become known as the Rockfeller Emerald, sold for US$ 5,511,500 at the Magnificent Jewels sale, which took place on June 20 at Christie’s New York, creating a new  world auction record for an emerald per carat. Prior to the auction, the estimate price of the ring was set at between US$ 4,000,000 to US$ 6,000,000.

The ring, which was sold to Harry Winston, proved to be the top lot of the sale. In its press statement Christie’s said: “CFO Robert Scott was bidding in Christie’s Rockefeller Plaza saleroom with instructions from Harry Winston CEO Nayla Hayek to ‘bring this magnificent gem home at any price’.”

Following the sale, Hayek commented: “Harry Winston is immensely proud to own the finest emerald in the world which once belonged to one of America’s most important dynasties.”

The total revenue at the Magnificent Jewels sale amounted to US$ 26,126,500; with 83% being sold by lot and 89% by value.

“Strong results were achieved above estimate for jewels from an important private collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany and Tiffany & Co. that had once been part of The Garden Museum Collection in Japan, including a green tourmaline, diamond and gold necklace (lot 139), a nephrite, amethyst and sapphire necklace (lot 155) and a multi-gem and vari-colored enamel pendant necklace featuring a large sapphire drop (lot 182),” Christie’s added. “Stellar results were also realised from a group of Cartier Art Deco boxes and accessories, including Lot 35, along with an Exquisite Coral, Diamond and Pearl tiara, by Cartier.”

Tom Burstein, Christie’s US Head of Jewelry commented: “The historic Rockefeller Emerald and museum-level collections of Louis Comfort Tiffany and Cartier objects, formed the core of what was a truly a Magnificent Jewels auction. The record prices achieved by the Rockefeller Emerald and Fancy Deep Grayish Bluish Green diamond coupled with competitive bidding for signed jewellery underscores the strength in the market for pieces of the highest quality.  Our jewellery team is proud to finish the first half on such a strong note and we look forward to the fall sales season.”

Pic Cap: The Rockfeller Emerald
An Emerald and Diamond Ring by Raymond Yard
Set with an octagonal step-cut emerald of approximately 18.04 carats

Pic Courtesy: Christie’s