Christie’s To Feature 21 JAR Creations in Magnificent Jewels Auction in May

MULTI-GEM EARRINGS, by JAR – The drop earrings crafted with blackened silver and 18-karat yellow gold are designed with cushion-shaped brown diamond, diamond, spinel and pink sapphire, and pink sapphires (2005), with pink JAR case. Estimate: $140,000-$200,000

A Bouquet Of Gems: A Superb Collection Of Jewels By JAR, one of the largest and most important private assemblages of works by the visionary designer, Joel Arthur Rosenthal, will be offered at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction on 14 May in Geneva. The captivating selection comprises 21 exceptional pieces that highlight JAR’s unparalleled artistry and bold, imaginative design.

Each of the 21 jewels was acquired for this private collector in the early 2000s and 2010s, with none having appeared on the market or at auction before. The 21 pieces have a combined low pre-sale estimate of $3 million, and count amongst the most important JAR collections to come to market.

DIAMOND ‘APRICOT BLOSSOM’ BANGLE, by JAR – The gorgeous bangle is patterned with round diamonds, reddish orange and yellow enamel, blackened silver, yellow gold (French mark), and bronze. (2009), with pink JAR case. Estimate $340,000-$570,000

The collection is led by the fabulous and sculptural Diamond ‘Apricot Blossom’ Bracelet (illustrated above), which like so many of JAR’s designs is as much a work of art as it is a wearable jewel.

This bracelet, along with the technicolour Multi-Gem Chain Necklace (estimate $285,000-400,000) and ‘Semainier’ Bracelets which can be joined to be worn as a necklace (estimate US$140,000-200,000) was loaned to JAR’s seminal exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2013, where 400 pieces were shown. Remarkably, JAR is the only living jeweller to have been honoured with such a comprehensive retrospective.

MULTI-GEM CHAIN NECKLACE, by JAR – The 18-karat rose gold and blackened silver necklace is suffused with round brown diamonds, emeralds, tourmalines, tsavorite spessartine garnets, peridots, purple, orange, pink sapphires and sapphires, topazes, fire opals, rubies, pink and purple spinels, amethysts, and aquamarines, with pink JAR case. Estimate $285,000-$400,000

The wonderful colour combinations, often pavé-set in the JAR signature style, and the designs in this collection are a tribute both to the innovative style of the designer and to the elegance of the owner who amassed such a fine cluster of jewellery.

Producing a mere 70 to 80 pieces each year, JAR’s jewellery is highly exclusive and coveted by collectors. Each piece is unique, crafted for specific clients, adding to the allure and value of his designs. This rarity, combined with his supreme artistry, solidifies JAR’s status as a leading figure in the world of fine jewellery.

RUBY AND DIAMONDS ‘SPIRALING THREAD’ EARRINGS, by JAR – Round rubies and diamonds set in platinum, available with pink JAR case. Estimate $80,000-$140,000

JAR & Christie’s Auctions

The first JAR jewel ever sold at auction was a pair of ear pendants with amethysts, sapphires, natural pearls and diamonds, which was sold at Christie’s in New York in 1984. Since then, Christie’s has sold approximately two-thirds of all JAR pieces coming to market.

The piece that holds the record price for any JAR jewel sold at auction was a ruby and diamond ‘Camelia’ brooch, created in 2003, which fetched $4,323,240, four times its low estimate in the charitable auction entitled: Jewels for Hope: The Collection of Mrs. Lily Safra, at Christie’s Geneva in 2012.

In addition to this, Christie’s has sold the Top 10 JAR jewels at auction by value to date.