NEW YORK, NY.- Sotheby’s annual spring auction of Magnificent Jewels in New York will be held on 29 April 2014. The auction will offer more than 450 lots at a wide range of estimates, together expected to achieve more than $37 million*. Highlights from the sale have traveled to three continents this spring, and will return to New York for exhibition in Sotheby’s York Avenue galleries beginning 25 April. The exhibition also will include: highlights from the 13 May sale of Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels in Geneva; a selection of Important Watches to be sold on 10 June; and pieces from our Sotheby’s Diamonds retail collection.
AN EXCEPTIONAL KASHMIR SAPPHIRE
The April sale will offer one of the finest Kashmir sapphires ever to appear at auction. The Exceptional Platinum, Sapphire and Diamond Ring (est. $4/5 million) features a square emerald-cut Kashmir sapphire weighing 28.18 carats set in a tapered baguette diamond mounting designed by Oscar Heyman & Brothers.
The stone has no indications of heat treatment and is described by the American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) as “a gem of singular importance.” According to the AGL, “It possesses the quintessential, velvety blue color that distinguishes a fine Kashmir sapphire….The pleasing color of this sapphire is further enhanced by a square emerald-cut fashioning which resulting in deep, internal color reflections and brilliance that complement the overall visual appearance of the stone, as well as a high clarity that results in a heightened degree of transparency.”
Gary Schuler, Senior Vice President and Director of the New York Jewelry Department commented: “The current world record price per carat for a Kashmir sapphire at auction is $175,821, achieved for the Richelieu Sapphires (26.66 and 20.88 carats) at Sotheby’s in Geneva in November 2013. The exceptional quality of this sapphire has the potential to reach historic heights as well, with proceeds benefiting a charitable foundation.”
MAGNIFICENT DIAMONDS & COLORED STONES
The selection of colored diamonds on offer in April is led by the Magnificent Fancy Intense Orangy Pink Diamond and Diamond Ring (est. $6/7 million). The beautifully-shaped, cushion-cut diamond of 15.23 carats, VS2 clarity, displays a soft, feminine color reminiscent of pink diamonds in historic and royal collections.
Also highlighting the important stones in the sale is The El Dorado Emerald (est. $1.8/2.2 million), an emerald-cut Colombian emerald weighing 36.53 carats, set in a platinum, 18 karat gold and diamond ring mounting. A prime example of the finest emerald material, the Classic Colombian emerald combines size, color and clarity without any kind of oil or resin enhancement.
In total, the April auction will offer more than 30 top-quality white diamond rings and diamond ear-studs weighing between 5 and 15 carats, estimated from $50,000 to $900,000.
JEWELS FROM THE ESTATE OF EYDIE GORME
The April auction will offer a stunning, romantic selection of jewels from the estate of Eydie Gorme, comprising both classic diamonds and decorative pieces. Almost all of the jewels in the collection were given to Gorme by her husband Steve Lawrence – together for more than 55 years, ‘Steve and Eydie’ reigned for decades as America’s most sophisticated and award-winning pop vocal duet.
Highlighting the collection are a Platinum and Diamond Ring, Harry Winston, 17.40 carats (est. $350/450,000) and a Platinum and Diamond Ring, set with a marquise-shape diamond of 7.51 carats, D color, Internally Flawless (est. $350/450,000) that Gorme received from Lawrence on the occasion of their 10th wedding anniversary. Also featured is a rivière style Platinum and Diamond Necklace (est. $250/350,000), which Lawrence gave to his wife for their 25th wedding anniversary.
Lisa Hubbard, Chairman, The Americas, Sotheby’s International Jewelry Division said: “Not only were Eydie Gorme and Steve Lawrence gifted performers, they were a wonderful love story. Her very personal jewelry collection is a testament to one of the great, enduring romances in show business history. Eydie dreamed of one day owning a diamond in every classic shape, and Steve Lawrence made her dreams come true.”
ICONIC & VINTAGE SIGNED JEWELS
An Art Deco period Platinum, Emerald and Diamond Bracelet, Cartier, France, (est. $700/900,000) from a private collection leads the selection of beautiful signed jewels on offer in April. Also by Cartier is the iconic 18 Karat Gold, Colored Diamond, Diamond, Onyx and Emerald Bangle-Bracelet (est. $600/800,000) designed as twin tigers in repose on the wrist. In the menagerie of bejeweled animals created by Cartier, it is the felines, originally conceived by Jeanne Toussaint – the enlightened director of Haute Joallerie for Cartier during their most innovative years, who leapt into fashion history accessorizing the world’s best-dressed women. From Daisy Fellowes and Princess Nina Aga Khan to Barbara Hutton, Cartier’s ‘big cat’ jewels were much admired by the social elite once the trend-setting Duchess of Windsor was seen sporting their sleek, distinctive silhouettes in the late 1940s and 1950s. The influence of Jeanne Toussaint’s early designs has been ever-present in Cartier’s jewels for more than seventy years, as the cats remain one of the jeweler’s most popular motifs around the world.
Another highlight of the signed jewels is the Gold, Fancy Intense Yellow Diamond and Emerald Ring, designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, signed Tiffany & Co., and made circa 1915-1920 (est. $100/150,000). On offer from a private collection, this rare example of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s work with yellow diamonds presents a lovely marquise-shaped diamond of 4.27 carats – potentially Internally Flawless – within an intricate filigree mounting reminiscent of ancient jewelry motifs.
FASHIONABLE DESIGNS
Fashion-forward collectors will love the array of jewels by Tony Duquette, the legendary American artist and designer whose fantastic jewels are distinguished by his bold use of color and volume. Featured from the collection of best-selling author Danielle Steel is Duquette’s Gold and Smoky Quartz Bracelet (est. $15/20,000), designed with nearly 700 carats of emerald-cut smoky quartz links. Collectors will also find bold style and vibrant color in pieces made by René Boivin, David Webb and contemporary designer Michele della Valle.
