Sotheby’s Jewelry auctions crossed $400mn in 2018

Magnificent Jewels NY to bag $46.4mn

Auction Led By 51.52-Carat Diamond Ring

 A combination of important diamonds, exceptional colored gemstones and iconic designs emerging from private collections, including those of Barbara Sinatra and Happy Rockefeller drove Sotheby’s New York sale of Magnificent Jewels to achieve $46.4 million. Our worldwide Jewelry auctions in 2018 have now crossed $403.4 million in sales, with our Fine Jewels auction in London remaining this month and online-only sales of Fine Jewels and a Diamond Capsule Collection.

Below is a look at the remarkable pieces that led today’s results.

Magnificent Diamonds: Gary Schuler, Chairman of Sotheby’s Jewelry Division, Americas commented: “Today’s sale caps off what has been yet another great year for Jewelry at Sotheby’s New York. Our results demonstrate the timeless appeal of diamonds and continued appetite for exceptional colored gemstones and signed jewels from jewelry lovers and connoisseurs all over the world.  We are particularly delighted by the results achieved for the two white diamonds over 20 carats in the sale, whose color, cut, and clarity were remarkable by every measure.”

Jewels From The Collection Of Barbara Sinatra: Today’s auction was highlighted by the much-anticipated sale of Barbara Sinatra’s personal jewelry collection, which realized an outstanding $4.7 million, with 100% of lots sold. Barbara’s emerald-cut 20.60-carat Diamond Engagement Ring, which was presented to her by Frank in a glass of champagne, led the collection, selling for $1,695,000 after an intense competition between two bidders on the telephone (estimate $1/1.5 million). 

Mrs. Sinatra’s signed jewels were highlighted by a sophisticated Mystery-Set Ruby and Diamond Butterfly Brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels, which realized $567,000 – well above its high estimate of $175,000.   Additional jewels from Mrs. Sinatra’s collection will be offered across two dedicated auctions later this week: Lady Blue Eyes: Property of Barbara and Frank Sinatra on Thursday, 6 December in New York and an online-only sale, which is now open for bidding through 7 December.

Icons: The World’s Most Coveted Jewels: Catharine Becket, Head of Magnificent Jewels, New York commented:  “We are absolutely thrilled with the results of our second annual “impossible collection” of iconic jewels, with all seven pieces selling for a total of $3.2 million –  well exceeding its $2.5 million estimate. Each piece demonstrated the characteristics that define their iconic status: rarity, authorship, provenance, artistry, and of course, significant gemstones.

The top lot of the collection, an exceptional Kashmir sapphire ring, embodies all of these sought-after attributes. Precious at any size, the 16.46-carat sapphire displays a spectacular royal blue color that places it in truly rarefied company.”

Iconic Jewels From The Collection Of Happy Rockefeller: Jewels from the collection of Happy Rockefeller began today’s afternoon session, totalling $901,250, with 100% of lots sold and an impressive 77% of lots selling above their high estimate. Like the artworks she acquired with her husband, Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, Happy’s jewelry collection reflected her appreciation for sculptural forms, as seen with her tumbled Sapphire and Emerald Bracelet, which sold for $262,500 (estimate $150/250,000).

Sotheby’s sales of Property from the Collection of Nelson and Happy Rockefeller continue with a dedicated sale of the couple’s furniture and decorative arts, to be offered as part of our Americana Week sales series in January 2019.