Christie's Magnificent Jewels raised $54.9mn

Hammered 120% above estimated and

Sold 94% Magnificent Jewels by value 

Christie’s New York December 8 auction of Magnificent Jewels achieved a total of $54,970,500 with 91% sold by lot, 94% sold by value, and 120% hammer above low estimate. There was global participation with registered bidders from 30 countries across five continents. 

The auction achieved strong results for colored diamonds, including the top lot of the sale, an important fancy vivid yellow diamond pendant of 70.19 carats, VS2 clarity that sold for $2,850,000. Other notable results were achieved for a rare fancy vivid orangy pink diamond ring of 5.38 carats, VS2 clarity, which realized $2,670,000.

A fancy dark gray-blue diamond ring of 8.74 carats, Internally Flawless, which achieved $2,610,000. A notable collection included in the sale was A Superlative Eye: Property from a Distinguished Chicago Collection, which was highlighted by a strong selection of Art Deco Cartier jewels. 

The collection achieved exceptional results for an impressive Graff ruby and diamond ring that realized $1,290,000; an Art Deco emerald, sapphire and diamond brooch once belonging to Cole Porter that achieved $381,250; and an exquisite Cartier Art Deco multi-gem and diamond Egyptian revival brooch that realized over three times its high estimate and sold for $268,750.

Other highlights of the sale were eight lots of Van Cleef & Arpels Mystery-Set jewels, which represent the culmination of Van Cleef & Arpels’ revolutionary spirit of innovation and design. Notable results include: a sapphire and diamond double-flower brooch that sold for $575,000; a ruby and diamond bracelet that achieved $525,000; and a ruby and diamond pendant-earrings that realized $412,500. 

Other impressive prices were realized for an important Kashmir sapphire ring of 17.73 carats that achieved more than double its high estimate and sold for $2,070,000; a fancy intense yellow diamond ring of 44.12 carats, which realized $1,110,000. 

A Van Cleef & Arpels Art Deco diamond bracelet previously featured in the exhibition The Jazz Age: American Style in the 1920s at the Cleveland Museum of Art in Ohio and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York, which achieved $1,230,000.