NEW YORK, NY.- The Christie’s New York December 5 auction of Magnificent Jewels achieved a total of $69,225,750. The sale sold 95% by Value and 83% by Lot, led by a sensational Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond Ring of 8.08 carats by Bulgari, which realized $18,312,500. This superb stone may be counted among the finest blue diamonds ever to have come to market.

Sale highlights included an impressive selection of exceptional colored and colorless diamonds, along with significant signed vintage and modern jewels by Suzanne Belperron, René Boivin, Bulgari, Cartier, Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels. The Diamond ‘Tube’ Bracelet by Suzanne Belperron achieved an auction record for the designer, selling for $852,500, after six minutes of competitive bidding. Noteworthy results were also achieved for Art Déco pieces by Cartier, with many lots greatly exceeding their estimates, including the exquisite Aquamarine and Diamond Tiara-Necklace, which sold for more than eight times its low estimate, realizing $828,500. Offerings from private collections performed exceptionally well including Property from The Estate of Lee Vandervelde, sold to benefit the Children’s Hospital and Children’s Institute, Los Angeles, and Property from a Distinguished Collector. Additionally, strong prices were achieved for the selection of emeralds and Kashmir sapphires offered in the sale.

The New York auction concludes Christie’s stellar global jewel auction season. Landmark global sales included The Winston Pink Legacy, which achieved a new world auction record price per carat for a pink diamond, selling in Geneva for $50,375,000 (price per carat $2,656,909); and the Hong Kong sale of The Peacock Necklace, which sold for $14,959,870, establishing the world auction record for a Kashmir sapphire necklace.

Daphne Lingon, Head of Jewelry, Christie’s Americas, comments: “We are delighted to announce that the strong results in today’s sale solidify Christie’s position as the market leader for the category. Over this auction season, we have witnessed the blockbuster sales of The Winston Pink Legacy in Geneva, which set a new price per carat for a pink diamond, and The Peacock Necklace in Hong Kong, which established the record for a Kashmir sapphire necklace. The excitement and prices achieved in our New York sale tonight, including the exceptional price achieved for the sensational Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond Ring by Bulgari and the world auction record realized for Suzanne Belperron, mark a perfect ending to our successful year of global jewelry auctions.”

For additional information and sale highlights see below and top ten attached. The Jewels Online sale continues through December 7 and Christie’s New York Luxury Week continues through December 11.