NEW YORK, NY.- Bidders clamored for ‘something blue’ on Tuesday in Sotheby’s New York salesroom, where exceptional results for blue diamonds and sapphires helped drive the $54 million sale of Magnificent Jewels. Below is a look at the exceptional pieces that drove Tuesday’s results.

MAGNIFICENT DIAMONDS
Gary Schuler, Chairman of Sotheby’s Jewelry Division, Americas commented: “The market continues to show its strength in colored stones, with today’s results driven by intense competition for important colored diamonds, sapphires and emeralds in particular. The remarkable family collection of sapphire jewels at the center of our auction demonstrated that when exceptional stones are married with the incredible design of historic houses like Van Cleef & Arpels and Harry Winston, you see true fireworks in the salesroom and the participation of private collectors, dealers and institutions from around the globe.”

ILLUSTRIOUS SAPPHIRES
Tuesday’s sale offered an extensive collection of sapphire jewels by Harry Winston and Van Cleef & Arpels from a Distinguished Family Collection. The group was led by an Art Deco bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels, set with five spectacular sugarloaf cabochon sapphires weighing nearly 194 carats, which sold for $3,135,000. Further highlights from this incredible Collection include a rare pair of Burmese sapphire and diamond earclips by Harry Winston that sold for $1,095,000, a Harry Winston sapphire and diamond necklace-bracelet combination by Harry Winston that sold for $1,935,000 and a 23.38-carat sugarloaf cabochon sapphire ring by Van Cleef & Arpels that achieved $807,000, above its high estimate of $350,000.

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 inaugural Icons section, as all twelve pieces sold for a total of $4.9 million – far exceeding expectations. Each of the dozen pieces demonstrated that collectors are drawn to rarity, authorship, provenance and – of course – iconic design. One piece that embodied all of these characteristics was the diamond Alhambra necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels: an essential piece in every stylish wardrobe, but this particular example was set apart by its history, having been bought at a thrift store seven years ago for only $25.”

NEW YORK JEWELRY SALES CONTINUE:
FINE JEWELS
AUCTION 7 DECEMBER
Whether gifting to yourself or a loved one, Sotheby's Fine Jewels sale has fashionable baubles for every price point, style and occasion. Featuring classic diamond rings, whimsical brooches and elegant dress sets by highly coveted makers such as Cartier, David Webb, Van Cleef & Arpels and Schlumberger, the sale truly has something for everyone on your list this holiday season. Notable lots include a 12.92 carat Diamond Ring mounted by Cartier (estimate $100/150,000), a Pair of Emerald and Diamond Earclips from the collection of Sir Sean and Lady Michelle Connery (estimate $50/70,000), and a Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet from Oscar Heyman & Brothers (estimate $35/55,000).