Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Auction Highlights 2011
Christie’s annual Magnificent Jewels auctions always attract the crème de la crème of the jewellery, design and art world, not to mention a fair few celebs with a deep pocket or two. It seems that 2011’s sales will be no different after the St. James branch of the world renowned auction house, exhibited a selection of the jewels that will go under the hammer before June.
The preview only included 9 pieces but what pieces they were. The lot was a fabulous array of rare diamonds and intricately designed jewellery that was nothing short of other-worldly.
The most distinctive item on display was the perfect heart-shaped diamond. Un-mounted and weighing in at a staggering 56.15ct, the heart diamond’s impressive credentials – D IF (D refers to the best colour grade possible, while IF references one of the top clarity grading’s meaning that the diamond is Internally Flawless) – proved exactly how perfect it really was. It’s estimated to go for a sum between $9m-$12m and judging from the cooing it garnered in the gallery last Wednesday, it’s sure to reach at least that.
It wasn’t just the large heart that impressed. There was also a selection of four coloured and colourless loose stones which were simply sublime. The biggest was the 42.38ct cushion-cut Fancy Intense Yellow diamond that sat proudly on its mount, dwarfing the much smaller stones. However, not to be outdone, the 12.92ct cushion-cut Fancy Vivid Yellow, 5.37ct pear-shaped Fancy Pink and 5.03ct cushion-cut diamonds proved how incredibly breathtaking precious gems can be.
Thanks to Kate Middleton’s engagement ring blue diamonds and sapphires have seen a surge in their popularity in the last few months and so it was unsurprising to see these stones in the preview. The first, a pair of cushion-shaped Kashmir sapphire and diamond ear pendants weighing 14.84 and 13.47 carats and surmounted by a pear-shaped diamond cluster, is set to go for somewhere between $2.5m-$3.5m in Hong Kong. However, the real treat was seeing a piece by JAR, the elusive New York-born jeweller, whose eponymous workshop in Paris’ Place Vendome only creates 70 – 80 new pieces per year.
JAR’s relationship with auction houses is legendary, with pieces seldom going for less than double or three times the price the customer originally paid and these coloured sapphire and diamond ear pendants are unlikely to buck the trend. The brand’s notorious exclusivity, known to include JAR reserving the right to refuse sale solely on the basis of whether he thinks his pieces suit the customer or not, keeps the premium at all time high. The pendants on display at Christie’s were designed as a line of quatrefoils motifs, set with mauve, purple and pink sapphires weighing in at nearly 200ct. The unusual earrings, mounted in gold and silver are enhanced with diamond detailing.
The other pieces for sale include:.
A Diamond Fleur-De-Lys Tiara by Petochi
Set with old-mine diamonds in platinum, each element can be detached and worn as a brooch.
1937
Diamonds weigh approximately 190-200 carats.
Christie’s First Auction Highlights of 2011 took place at Christie’s, St James, London 1st – 2nd February.
By Hannah Powell
