Geneva – Christie’s fall auction of Magnificent Jewels will be held on 11 November at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva. Featuring over 390 lots, the auction includes top quality coloured and colourless diamonds, jewels of historical provenance, exceptionally rare gemstones, natural pearls and an important group of Jewels by JAR. The auction is estimated to fetch in excess of US$80 million.

The auction is led by A Bulgari Masterpiece, a spectacular pair of pear-shaped coloured diamond ear-pendants, set with a 6.95 carat Fancy Vivid Blue diamond and a 6.79 carat Fancy Vivid Pink diamond which carry a pre-sale estimate of SFr. 11,500,000-14,500,000 / US$ 12,000,000-15,000,000.

Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Christie’s Jewelry, commented: “With one of the largest and most important sapphires in the world from private hands, A Bulgari Masterpiece, iconic Cartier jewels from the Duchess of Windsor, natural pearls  that were once in the collection of Baroness Edouard de Rothschild, and Empress Eugenie’s Feuilles de Groseillier brooch, Christie’s Geneva is proud to present the finest and best jewels in the world on November 11.”

Exceptionally Rare Coloured Stones

The sale will include the fourth largest faceted sapphire in the world, the Blue Belle of Asia, a cushion shaped Ceylon sapphire of 392.52 carats (estimate: SFr. 6,650,000-9,500,000 / US$ 7,000,000 – 10,000,000). This exceptional gem was discovered in 1926 at Pelmadula, Ratnapura (‘The City of Gems’) in Ceylon and was sold to British motor magnate Lord Nuffield (1877-1963), founder of Morris Motors Limited in 1937. The reasons behind his purchase of the Blue Belle of Asia have remained a mystery, however, it was rumoured that the sapphire was to be presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, on her Coronation Day on 12 May 1937.

An extremely rare ruby will also be offered for sale on November 11^th: the Queen of Burma, an impressive Burmese ruby of 23.66 carats, mounted by Cartier (SFr. 5,250,000-6,650,000 / US$5,500,000-7,000,000). Purchased at Cartier in London in November 1937 by His Highness the Maharao of Cutch (1866-1942), the present example highlights once again the relationship between the European jeweller and Indian Royalty of that time.  The Queen of Burma combines all the most sought-after qualities in a ruby: an attractive vivid pinkish red colour, an excellent purity, an impressive size and the finest origin.  

Coloured diamonds

Following the sale of THE ORANGE in November 2013, which achieved a world auction record for an orange diamond (SFr. 32,645,000 / US$35,540,612) and the WINSTON BLUE in May 2014, which established a world auction record price per carat for a blue diamond (SFr. 21,445,000 / US$ 23,795,372), the November 11 auction of Magnificent Jewels will include A Bulgari Masterpiece  set with a truly unique pair of pear-shaped coloured diamonds. This pair of ear-pendants, one set with a Fancy Vivid Blue and the other with a Fancy Vivid Pink diamond of nearly matching size is expected to fetch in excess of SFr. 11.5 million / US$ 12 million. Additional highlights include a pear-shaped Very Light Pink diamond necklace of 40.48 carats (SFr. 3,250,000-5,250,000 / US$3,500,000-5,600,000 millions) and an old mine cut Fancy Pink diamond ring of 15.62 carats (SFr. 2,400,000-3,400,000 / US$ 2,500,000-3,600,000).

Jewels by Jar           

Seven jewels by JAR will be offered at auction in Geneva, some of which were recently on display at the ‘Jewels by JAR’ exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (Nov 2013-March 2014). The defining characteristic of Joel Arthur Rosenthal’s work is his superior craftsmanship evocative of the quality of jewels in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Bold in proportion and often resulting in sculptural objects, his propensity for incorporating unusual gemstones into his creations give the works a vivid sense of movement and light. This was the first time that the Metropolitan Museum exhibited works of a contemporary jewellery designer. Amongst the remarkable group of jewels offered for sale are the ‘Gardenia’ ring, formerly in The Collection of Ellen Barkin (SFr. 310,000-370,000 / US$ 330,000-390,000), the sculpted gold Parrot Tulip cuff (SFr. 190,000-290,000 / US$ 210,000-310,000) and a pair of diamond ‘String’ ear pendants (SFr. 125,000-185,000/US$ 140,000-200,000).

Important Natural Pearls

Formerly in the collection of Baroness Edouard de Rothschild, an Art Deco diamond necklace suspends two natural pearls of great quality and exceptional luster, measuring 16.0mm each (illustrated right; SFr. 670,000-950,000 / US$ 700,000-1,000,000). A pair of perfectly matched pearls of this size and quality are near impossible to find and will make a great addition to any jewelry collection.

The sale will also feature a pair of diamond ear pendants with two magnificent drop-shaped natural pearls weighing more than 100 grains each (SFr. 2,650,000-3,300,000 / US$2,800,000-3,500,000), and a two-strand natural pearl necklace of the finest rosé overtone quality by Cartier (SFr. 500,000-800,000 / US$530,000-850,000).

Historic Provenances

The mythical ‘Feuilles de Groseillier’ brooch (illustrated left; estimate: SFr. 1,900,000-2,900,000 / US$2,000,000-3,000,000), commissioned in 1855 by Empress Eugenie (1826-1920) to French jeweller Alfred Bapst was part of one of the most beautiful parures of the 19^th Century. It belonged to the French Crown Jewels, of which very few examples in original condition survive to this day. It is therefore extremely rare for a jewel of such historic importance to be offered for sale (click here for dedicated press release).

Formerly in the legendary collection of the Duchess of Windsor, a Tiger bangle and brooch by Cartier, now the property of Sarah Brightman, are two of the best examples of this iconic design created in 1928 by the famous French joaillier. The two jewels (illustrated right) are offered as one lot with a pre-sale estimate of SFr. 1,700,000-2,400,000 / US$1,800,000-2,500,000. Parts of the proceeds will benefit The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation (click here for dedicated press release).