NEW YORK, NY.- On December 10, after a banner year in which new heights were achieved for colored and colorless diamonds, Christie’s New York will conclude the winter auction season with a spectacular 52.58-carat D-color Internally Flawless Golconda diamond that possesses a superior luminance, luster and distinct brilliance. The sacred diamond mines of Golconda yield diamonds of a specific type, color, and the highest degree of transparency. Exhibiting a superior polish and octagonal cutting style, a diamond this rare marks an unprecedented opportunity for collectors of the world’s finest gemstones. In addition, this blockbuster 500-lot day-long auction at Christie’s Rockefeller Center is comprised of important colored and colorless diamonds, rare gemstones, signed jewels, and natural pearls, expected to achieve in excess of $45 million.

Rahul Kadakia, Head of Jewelry for Christie’s Americas and Switzerland, commented: “2013 has proven to be a record-breaking year for jewelry auctions globally. Beginning with the historic sale of the Princie Diamond in New York in April to The Orange in Geneva this November, collectors worldwide paid record prices to acquire the rarest and finest gemstones that appeared on the auction block. On December 10, our team of specialists looks forward to offering collectors yet another opportunity to participate in a wonderfully curated sale.”

A SUPERB COLLECTION OF DIAMOND JEWELRY
Property of an Elegant Lady
Four Magnificent Jewels from an Exceptional Private Collector, all from Leviev, one of the world’s most exclusive diamond jewelry brands, offers a star lot in a cushion-cut D-color internally flawless diamond ring of 26.72 carats. The stone is mounted in platinum, flanked on either side by a shield-shaped diamond. This magnificent ring is estimated at $4,000,000 – 6,000,000. A diamond pendant necklace suspending a pear-shaped D-color VVS1 diamond of 22.12 carats to the pear-shaped and oval-cut necklace of 38.76 carats, pictured left, is estimated at $2,500,000 – 3,500,000, along with a diamond bracelet set with eighty-eight rectangular diamonds weighing a total of 90.81 carats (estimate: $500,000 – 700,000). A pair of pear-shaped D-color diamond ear pendants of 10.31 and 9.94 carats (estimate: $2,000,000 – 3,000,000) round off the collection which was acquired and completed with great taste over the course of two years.

PROPERTY FROM THE MARION RUMSEY CARTIER COLLECTION AT SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
Marion Rumsey Cartier was born in New York on April 14, 1911. Her father, Pierre Cartier, was one of the three legendary Cartier brothers. Her mother, Elma Rumsey, was the daughter of Moses Rumsey, a prominent industrialist from Saint Louis. Madame Cartier’s Saint Louis heritage was of such importance to her that it ultimately formed her connection with Saint Louis University. Her legacy to the University included photographs, letters, and paintings. In 1932, upon meeting Father J. Barry McGannon S.J., then vice president and later Chancellor of Saint Louis University, Madame Cartier found a sanctuary at the University where her memories and extraordinary life could be preserved. Her remarkable collection of manuscripts is maintained at the University and the proceeds of the sale will in part act as an endowment for their preservation as well as other valuable projects. Marion Cartier died peacefully on March 20, 1994 in Geneva at the age of 83.

TUTTI FRUTTI
Few designs have captured the imagination and enthusiam of connoisseurs and collectors as Cartier’s Tutti Frutti creations. These pieces are directly inspired by the intricate Mughal carving and craftsmanship found throughout the decorative arts of India from the 16th century onwards. The introduction of Indian influences and gemstones into jewels was one of Cartier’s greatest innovations in the Art Deco period. Seen in the example below on offer on December 10, the unique incorporation of jadeite cabochons in the Tutti Frutti series. As Lot 492 in the evening session of Magnificent Jewels, devotees of the Art Deco period will have a great opportunity to acquire one of Cartier’s most sought-after signature creations.

NATURAL PEARLS
This December, Christie’s will offer an exceptional four-strand natural pearl and diamond necklace formed of 148 individual pearls (estimate: $500,000 – 700,000) ranging in size from 9.10 to 5.30 mm in diameter. From the Estate of Mrs. Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans comes a single strand natural pearl necklace, by Tiffany & Co., formed of 54 individual pearls measuring from 6.45 to 7.35 mm in diameter (estimate: $80,000 – 120,000). In addition, presenting some of the finest examples of David Webb jewels, The Estate of the Honorable Noreen Stonor Drexel, Newport, Rhode Island is highlighted by a pair of natural pearl and diamond ear pendants with a marquise-cut diamond cap, mounted in gold and platinum.