Auctions: Magnificent Jewels at Christie's New York on April 14 - Highlights

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Magnificent jewels are set to sparkle and shine at Christie’s New York Spring sale – an auction which is expected to exceed $40 million.

Featuring more than 300 jewels, one of the central item in this sale is an outstanding four-strand natural colored saltwater pearl necklace:

46847904_art — A four-strand natural colored pearl necklace measuring from 12,65 to 4,90 mm. Estimate: $3,800,000 – 4,500,000.

Much scarcer than their white counterparts, black pearls struck the eye for their amazing beauty. And because of this scarcity, very few black and grey pearl necklaces have been offered for sale in the past fifty years, the most famous in comparison being The Nina Dyer Black Pearl Necklace, first sold at Christie’s Geneva in May 1969 and, more recently, The Cowdray Pearls sold at Christie’s London in June 2012 – illustrated here below:

Three Strand Nina Dyer Black Pearl Necklace, Cartier. The triple-strand natural black pearl necklace, is made up of 151 spherical and near-spherical, perfectly matched natural black pearls.

The Cowdray Pearls. Composed of a single row of thirty-eight graduated natural grey pearls, measuring 11.4-6.8mm, to the rectangular mixed-cut diamond clasp, 43.2cm long.

Additional highlights for pearls include a pair of Art Deco pearl and diamond bracelets, each comprising five strands of natural pearls:

A pair of Art Deco natural pearl and diamond bracelets. Estimate $120,000 - 150,000. — A pair of Art Deco natural pearl and diamond bracelets. Estimate $120,000 – 150,000.

Great design is the core of what makes classic jewellery hold its value in the long term. Among the jewels which will be presented, is a leading selection from master jewelers such as Laurence Graff, Bulgari, Cartier, Harry Winston, JAR and Van Cleef & Arpels. Here are some:

A sapphire and diamond necklace, by Graff. Estimate $250,000 - 350,000. — A sapphire and diamond necklace, by *Graff*. Estimate $250,000 – 350,000.

A pair of emerald, diamond and colored diamond ear clips, by JAR. Estimate $250,000 - 350,000. — A pair of emerald, diamond and colored diamond ear clips, by *JAR*. Estimate $250,000 – 350,000.

A sapphire and diamond necklace, by Van Cleef & Arpels. Estimate $300,000 - 500,000. — A sapphire and diamond necklace, by *Van Cleef & Arpels*. Estimate $300,000 – 500,000.

A pair of D-color diamond ear pendants of 10.06 and 10.02, by Harry Winston. Estimate $1,500,00 - 2,000,000. — A pair of D-color diamond ear pendants of 10.06 and 10.02, by *Harry Winston*. Estimate $1,500,00 – 2,000,000.

Additional highlights of color, colorless and rare gemstones include:

A fancy intense purplish pink diamond of 5.29 carats. Estimate $3,500,000 - 5,000,000. — A fancy intense purplish pink diamond of 5.29 carats. Estimate $3,500,000 – 5,000,000.

A pair of cushion-cut diamond ear pendants of 10.28 and 10.42 carats. Estimate $600,000 - 800,000. — A pair of cushion-cut diamond ear pendants of 10.28 and 10.42 carats. Estimate $600,000 – 800,000.

A colored diamond and diamond necklace, by Graff. Estimate $500,000 - 700,000. A pear-shaped D-color potentially internally flawless diamond pendant of 25.49 carats. Estimate $2,500,000 - 3,500,000. — A colored diamond and diamond necklace, by Graff. Estimate $500,000 – 700,000. A pear-shaped D-color potentially internally flawless diamond pendant of 25.49 carats. Estimate $2,500,000 – 3,500,000.

A cushion-shaped diamond of 80.73 carats. Estimate $4,000,000 - 5,000,000. — A cushion-shaped diamond of 80.73 carats. Estimate $4,000,000 – 5,000,000.

A circular-cut fancy gray-blue diamond of 5.04 carats. Estimate $1,750,000 - 2,500,000. — A circular-cut fancy gray-blue diamond of 5.04 carats. Estimate $1,750,000 – 2,500,000.

A cushion-cut D-color potentially internally flawless diamond of 11.03 carats, by Graff. Estimate $750,000 - 1,000,000. — A cushion-cut D-color *potentially internally flawless* diamond of 11.03 carats, by *Graff*. Estimate $750,000 – 1,000,000.

An octagonal-cut Kashmir sapphire of 11.88 carats. Estimate $1,200,000 - 1,800,000. — An octagonal-cut Kashmir sapphire of 11.88 carats. Estimate $1,200,000 – 1,800,000.

A superb emerald, ruby and diamond necklace, by Bulgari. Estimate $300,000 - 400,000. — A superb emerald, ruby and diamond necklace, by *Bulgari*. Estimate $300,000 – 400,000.

To say it with Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Christie’s Jewellery:

After a record-breaking year in 2014 in which Christie’s Jewellery Department realized an unprecedented $754.7 million in sales, we are proud to begin the jewellery auction season with this exceptional sale of Magnificent Jewels in New York. The auction on April 14 is comprised of superior quality diamonds, rare colored gemstones, and natural pearls that present collectors remarkable opportunities to acquire one-of-a-kind rare jewels.

Post by Claudia Carletti, Jewellery Through Time. Material courtesy of Christie’s Press Office.