NEW YORK, NY.- Christie’s New York announces highlights of its upcoming Important Jewels auction on October 22. With 350 jewels on offer, the sale features an array of colored and colorless diamonds, rare gemstones, and signed jewels – led by a magnificent rectangular-cut potentially internally flawless diamond pendant necklace of 81.38 carats (estimate: $2,800,000 – 3,500,000). Estimates range from $3,000 up to $4 million, and the total sale is expected to achieve in excess of $30 million.

In the first half of 2014, Christie’s International Jewelry department achieved their highest ever half-year result at US$362 million and established 8 new world auction records. The May 14 Magnificent Jewels auction at Christie’s Geneva saw the highest total ever achieved for a jewelry auction at US$154 million that included the record-breaking Winston Blue diamond (US$23.8 million), which set a new world auction record price per carat for a blue diamond at US$1.8 million per carat.

Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Christie’s Jewelry, commented: “We are excited to begin our fall jewelry season with this promising sale of Important Jewels on October 22 at Christie’s New York. From an impressive cushion shaped diamond of over 100 carats to a chic multi-strand moonstone bead necklace, by Tiffany & Co., the sale has a jewel for everyone. We look forward to seeing collectors back in our saleroom in New York and then Geneva, Hong Kong, Paris, and London as the season progresses.”

MEGA DIAMONDS
COLORED AND COLORLESS DIAMOND HIGHLIGHTS
In 2014, colored and colorless diamonds have soared above estimates across Christie’s New York, Geneva, and Hong Kong salerooms. On October 22, Christie’s New York will keep with the ever-increasing collector demand for investment quality diamonds, featuring an excellent selection of stones in a variety of cuts and colors.

TOP SIGNED JEWELS
CARTIER AND VAN CLEEF & ARPELS
Great design is the core of what makes classic jewelry hold its value over the long term, and Christie’s is proud to present the best and most iconic examples from the major jewelry houses in each one of its auctions this fall. In New York, Christie’s presents over 130 signed jewels highlighted by signature examples from Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels.

IMPORTANT PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE OF LAURA THORN
Laura Thorn, a great granddaughter of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., was born June 3, 1954 in New York City to William Kelly Simpson and the late Marilyn Milton Simpson. A horsewoman, she was the owner of Thornbrook Farms in Bedford Hills. She was a longtime animal rights advocate and conservationist. Her professional experience included many different areas in the equine industry. She was involved in the management and development of an important equine breeding program. Her experience covered a broad range of business undertakings, including the implementation of state-of-the-art embryo transfer based production of Warmblood performance horses and the development of new equine technologies.