The Sotheby’s auction amassed a total of approximately $34,265,900, surpassing the estimated range of $20,740,670 to $31,598,890. Impressively, 90% of all lots found buyers, with over 96% of the sold lots exceeding their low estimates. Notably, 63% of lots sold surpassed their high estimates. Bidders from North America predominated, followed by those from Hong Kong, China, the UK, Switzerland, India, and Italy. The sale also attracted a younger demographic, with over 40% of identified bidders aged between 20 and 49.
Marina B, Sapphire, amethyst and diamond demi-parure, ‘Byzance’, circa 1978, sold for $2,25,071.
Catharine Becket, Head of Magnificent Jewels, Geneva, stated, “This edition of our Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale was marked by a succession of outstanding results, affirming the continued strength in the market for jewels and gemstones of the finest quality. Within minutes, an impressive 35-carat red spinel more than doubled its pre-sale estimate and was soon followed by a bidding frenzy that saw a Ceylon sapphire bring over 20 times its price prediction. The spectacular stones set the stage for the final lot of sale, a sensational 17.29-carat, “royal blue” Kashmir sapphire that, fuelled by global interest, achieved nearly CHF 3.5 million (seven times the low estimate).”
(Left) Impressive pair of Fancy Intense Yellow diamond, emerald and diamond pendent earrings, circa 1979, sold for $6,33,043. (Right) Cartier | monture Cartier, pearl and diamond demi-parure, 1930s, sold for $2,21,614.
She continued, “Despite the restraint we have seen in recent years with white diamonds, the market seemed to boom when our 37.61-carat E-colour, Internally Flawless diamond realised twice its estimate after multiple rounds between two impassioned bidders. Perhaps the greatest triumph of the sale is our single-owner collection, Iconic Jewels: Her Sense of Style. The group of 46 signed jewels, unified by a high level of scholarship and a finely-tuned eclecticism, inspired passionate connoisseurs to compete for every piece, producing a white-glove result and a total price of twice its estimate – led by the sale of a statement Buddha necklace signed Bulgari, which went for more than six times its estimate.”
White Diamonds Reign Supreme
A magnificent Internally Flawless round-cornered square brilliant-cut diamond weighing 37.61 carats, E colour with excellent polish and symmetry, sold for $ 42,90,791 (estimate $ 16,18,382- $16,18,382)
Elegant white diamond tiara, circa 1960, formerly in the collection of Anne Gunning Parker, Lady Nutting (1929-1990), sold for $2,67,488 (estimate $1,21,938 – $1,77,361)
A pair of diamond pendent ear clips, circa 1951, by René Boivin, sold for $84,481 (estimate $22,170 – $33,259).
Sapphires Dominate
A highly important ring set with a 17.29-carat cushion-shaped sapphire of Kashmir origin, with no indications of heating, and flanked by triangular diamond shoulders, sold for $38,23,228 (estimate $5,54,412 – $8,87,060).
An impressive sapphire and diamond parure from a Royal Collection comprising: a pendent necklace centered on a 51.77-carat oval sapphire, set with pear-shaped, brilliant-cut and tapered baguette diamonds, length approximately 440mm; a bracelet set with an oval sapphire weighing 20.77 carats, length approximately 180mm; a pair of earrings, each set with an oval sapphire weighing 8.43 and 8.12 carats respectively, sold for $14,07,957 (estimate $8,09,298- $12,19,490).
Sapphire and diamond ring of Ceylon origin, with no indications of heating, set with an oval sapphire weighing 23.65 carats between triangular diamond shoulders, sold for $7,60,123 (estimate $33,252 – $55,420).
Sapphire and diamond ring signed Bulgari, set with a cushion-shaped sapphire of Kashmir origin with no indications of heating weighing 9.86 carats, between fancy-shaped diamond shoulders, sold for $7,59,915 (estimate $3,54,583 – $ 4,54,309)
Iconic Jewels: Her Sense Of Style: A Sensational Live White Glove Sale
A rare and important gem-set and diamond sautoir, ‘Buddha’, circa 1971, signed Bulgari. It is a detachable pendant depicting the Buddha composed of polished citrines and onyx, accented by a buff-top ruby and brilliant-cut diamonds, featuring a halo embellished with calibré-cut sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds, with a fancy link chain enhanced with collet-set cabochon citrines, onyx and a sapphire, formerly in the collection of Lyn Revson. It sold for $7,31,771 (estimate $1,10,807- $2,21,614).
A pair of sapphire and diamond ear clips, ‘Petits Pavots’, circa 1969, signed Van Cleef & Arpels, each designed as a poppy, the petals mystery-set with calibré-cut sapphires, the stamen and leaves set with brilliant-cut diamonds, accented by calibré-cut diamonds, sold for $4,92,579 (estimate $1,10,816 – $2,21,633).
Important emerald, ruby, enamel and diamond pendant necklace, circa 1929 and later detachable pendant/brooch of giardinetto design, featuring carved and fluted emeralds, enhanced with carved rubies, black enamel, circular-cut and baguette diamonds, to a necklace similarly set, sold for $4,50,285 (estimate $1,66,209 – $2,77,015).