GENEVA.- The star of the auction, leading a stunning selection of coloured diamonds, is the “Unique Pink”, an exquisite and rare Fancy Vivid Pink diamond weighing 15.38 carats. The richly varied sale on the 17th of May will also offer coloured gemstones of the highest quality, and signed pieces from the world’s greatest jewellery houses – in particular an important private collection of jewels by Cartier. Sotheby’s also continues its strong tradition of offering extraordinary noble jewels, with a fascinating selection of pieces sourced from among the world’s most storied jewellery collections, among them jewels from the Collection of the Princes Doria Pamphilj.

David Bennett, Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby’s International Jewellery Division: “The “Unique Pink” is an extraordinarily beautiful diamond. In my experience, such outstanding Vivid Pink colour in a stone over 15 carats is truly unique. Visitors to our pre-sale exhibitions have admired the variety of stunning jewels and phenomenal coloured gemstones on offer, including an exquisite and Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid Blue diamond weighing over 7 carats, a sensational and unique Indian-inspired demi-parure from Van Cleef and Arpels and a very fine collection of wonderful jewels by Cartier.”

THE “UNIQUE PINK” DIAMOND
The spectacular “Unique Pink”, a supremely rare and exceptional Fancy Vivid Pink diamond weighing 15.38 carats has received the highest possible colour grading for a pink diamond from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). It has also been found to be Type IIa, displaying “exceedingly pure structure”. The stone’s exquisite pear brilliant cut accentuates its exceptional saturation, placing it in a rarefied category even among the world’s most beautiful diamonds.

Of all diamonds submitted to the GIA each year, no more than 3% are classified as coloured diamonds, and less than 5% of those coloured diamonds show a pink tint. Of these, a minute proportion could be graded as ‘Vivid’. The GIA’s specialists described the “Unique Pink” as “A truly exceptional gem. A rare and remarkable beauty.” Lot 495, estimate: US $28-38 million (CHF 26.9m – 36.5 million).

STUNNING LIMPID BLUE
Sotheby’s Geneva sale will also offer a stunning Fancy Vivid Blue diamond ring weighing 7.32 carats. The exquisite pear-shaped stone has been awarded the highest-possible colour grading by the GIA, and was also found to be Internally Flawless. Lot 494, estimate: US $ 15 – 25 million (CHF 14.4 – 24 million)

A RARE JEWEL BY ALEXANDRE REZA
Coming to auction from a noble collection, this exceptional piece, originally a pendant, features a marquise-shaped Fancy Intense Blue diamond weighing 6.64 carats, highlighted by two further pearshaped Fancy Intense Blue diamonds and similarly shaped colourless diamonds – all of which are D colour. Lot 405, estimate: US $ 10 – 14 million (CHF 9.6 – 13.44 million)

AN IMPRESSIVE SPECTRUM OF COLOURED DIAMONDS
The sale in May will offer a wide selection of exceptional coloured diamonds to suit all tastes:

• An exquisite Fancy Pink diamond ring weighing 21.11 carats Lot 489, estimate CHF 4.8 – 8.64 million (US $ 5 - 7 million)

• An elegant Fancy Blue diamond ring weighing 14.18 carats Lot 486, estimate CHF 2.88 – 4.8 million (US $ 3 – 5 million)

• A pair of diamond earrings, set with a pear-shaped Fancy Blue and Fancy Orangy-Pink diamond weighing 8.85 and 8.79 carats respectively. Lot 462, estimate CHF 1.92 – 2.88 million (US $ 2 – 3 million)

• A stylish modified pear-shaped Fancy Pink diamond pendant weighing 18.51 carats. Lot 411A, estimate CHF 4.8 – 7.68 million (US $ 5 – 8 million)

FINEST COLOURED GEMSTONES
Finest coloured precious stones will also be on offer in May, to the delight of connoisseurs:

• The “Emperor Ruby”, a dazzling Burmese ruby and diamond ring weighing 7.03 carats. According to the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF), the stone displays excellent purity and the coveted ‘pigeon’s blood’ colour. Lot 484, estimate: CHF 4.8 – 7.68 million (US $ 5 – 8 million).

• Also of Burmese origin – the most sought-after source for rubies – this octagonal step-cut stone weighs an impressive 34.86 carats. Lot 426, estimate: CHF 2.88 – 4.8 million (US $ 3 – 5 million).

• The world’s most sought-after sapphires are sourced from Kashmir, and this sugarloaf sapphire weighing 15.34 carats has been masterfully set in a stunning ring by Van Cleef and Arpels. Lot 419, estimate: CHF 720,000 – 1.2 million (US $ 750,000 – 1.25 million).

• The charming setting of this ring, which is being offered by a European Noble Family, perfectly sets off the colour of the 8.27-carat Kashmir sapphire, described by the SSEF as a “velvety and saturated ‘royal blue’ colour”. Lot 385, estimate: CHF 960,000 – 1.15 million (US $ 1 – 1.2 million).

VAN CLEEF AND ARPELS: THE MAJESTY OF THE MAHARAJAS
In the late 1960s, leading jewellery houses such as Van Cleef and Arpels created vibrant statement pieces which captured the opulence and majesty of India’s maharajas. Echoing a trend which began in the early 20th century, which adapted traditional Indian styles, this stunning, unique demi-parure created around 1965, is one of the most beautiful examples of Van Cleef and Arpels’ designs of the time. Lot 493, estimate: US $ 1.5 – 2.5 million / CHF 1.44 – 2.4 million.

NOBLE JEWELS
Jewels from the Collection of the Princes Doria Pamphilj
Two exceptional jewels on offer in May will illustrate the exquisite taste of the illustrious Doria Pamphilj family, of ancient Genoan and Roman nobility.

From this prestigious collection, Sotheby’s spring sale will offer an imposing emerald and diamond brooch, dating from around 1840 and a rare and beautiful diamond pendant which will no doubt also fascinate collectors. In addition to the jewel’s provenance, the central pear-shaped stone may well be much earlier and may have come from the fabled mines of the Golconda region in India. Lot 400, estimate: US $ 500,000 – 800,000 / CHF 480,000 – 770,000; Lot 401, estimate: US $ 1 – 2 million / CHF 960,000 – 1,920,000.

The Duchess of Berry
One of the most famous and fascinating aristocratic figures of the 19th century, the Duchess of Berry led an adventurous and courageous life at the heart of French politics. Her life is intimately linked with the turmoil of the Bourbon Restoration, but she was also an enthusiastic patron of the arts. The May sale will offer a fragment from her extraordinary life: a striking emerald and diamond necklace and earrings from the first half of the 19th century.

The stones of the necklace, including a central gem weighing 14.03 carats, have been certified by the SSEF has being of Colombian origin. Lot 402, estimate: US $ 600,000 – 800,000 / CHF 580,000 – 770,000.

Period Cartier
Property of a Lady, this exquisite diamond brooch is designed as a bow suspending a bunch of grapes, composed of open work motifs millegrain-set with diamonds. This creation is a delightful illustration of the garland style, of which Cartier was the true master. These lace-like jewels were made possible thanks to the introduction of platinum, a strong and rigid metal which allowed jewellers to reduce the amount of metal to a minimum. Lot 431, estimate: US $ 105,000 – 155,000 / CHF 100,000 – 150,000.

CARTIER: AN IMPORTANT PRIVATE COLLECTION
Thanks to peerless design and flawless craftsmanship, Cartier has long been one of the most highlyadmired and coveted of the world’s great jewellery houses. This spring, Sotheby’s is delighted to have been entrusted with an important private collection of jewels, showcasing an ensemble of exceptional pieces which perfectly illustrate Cartier’s masterful touch. Highlights from the collection (illustrated below) include:

• Set of three diamond plaques de cou in the garland style, Cartier 1907 Lot 449, estimate: US $ 230,000 – 395,000 / CHF 220,000 – 380,000

• Two pairs of gem set and diamond ear clips (circa 1925) which epitomise Cartier’s much-loved “Tutti Frutti” style Lot 454, estimate: US $ 78,000 - 120,000 / CHF 75,000 - 115,000 Lot 456, estimate: US $ 78,000 – 120,000 / CHF 75,000-115,000

• A stylish ruby and diamond bracelet (circa 1925) – which embodies Cartier’s ability to marry geometric design with organic elements, using the very finest materials. Lot 461, estimate: US $ 186,000 – 335,000 / CHF 180,000 – 320,000.