Three important private collections will highlight Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction, taking place November 11 at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva. The collections represent royal and noble provenance, a trove of fancy-colored diamonds and creations by one of the most important contemporary high jewelry artists.
The first is a casket of Victorian-period jewels inherited by Helena Violet Alice, the third Countess of Stradbroke (1874–1949).
Among the pieces are a silver and gold star brooch centered with a 10.07-carat oval-shaped Burmese ruby with old- and rose-cut diamonds estimated at $1.4 million – $2 million; a ruby and diamond tiara estimated at $360,000–$600,000; and a silver and gold brooch centered with a 7.88-carat cushioned-shaped ruby set with old-cut diamonds, also estimated at $210,000–$270,000. The countess wore all three jewels at the coronation of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom in 1902.
The second collection, called “ The Rainbow Collection,” consists of more than 300 natural fancy-colored diamonds spanning the full chromatic spectrum—red, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink and gray. Each diamond was chosen for its singular hue, according to Christie’s. The group carries an estimate of $2 million–$3 million.
The third private collection has 25 jewels by French American, contemporary jeweler, JAR, representing the second-largest grouping of the celebrated high jewelry artist’s work ever to appear at auction, according to Christie’s. Leading the selection is a ring pavé-set with round sapphires and diamonds and centered with an 8.68-carat fancy purplish-pink diamond. Its estimate is $2.5 million – $3.5 million.
The top lot of the sale is the Mellon Blue, a 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond once owned by Bunny Mellon (1910–2014), the American horticulturalist, philanthropist and art collector. The diamond carries an estimate of $20 million – $30 million. Read more about this diamond.
The number two lot of the sale, based on estimates, is a brooch centered with a 65.46-carat cushion-shaped unheated Burmese “royal blue” sapphire, surrounded by nine colorless diamonds, with an estimate of $2.6 million – $3.8 million.
Among signed jewels, Christie’s is spotlighting two examples. The first is an Art Deco diamond and gem-set Lacloche Frères bracelet, circa 1925, unseen on the market for nearly two decades. Estimated at $410,000 – $630,000, the bracelet depicts a scene of a “Chinese pagoda and boat within an Oriental garden” rendered in caliber-cut emeralds, rubies and onyx. Founded in Paris in 1875, Lacloche Frères became one of Europe’s most celebrated jewelers and expanded to London in 1904.
The second highlight is a Tiffany & Co. Art Nouveau floral brooch centered with a demantoid garnet, designed by Paulding Farnham in 1901 and estimated at $110,000–$150,000. Christie’s notes that the brooch reflects a pivotal shift in taste at the turn of the century—from the delicate, feminine aesthetics of the Victorian era to bolder, more colorful expressions.
Among colorless diamonds, the top lot is a pair of 18k white gold and platinum earrings by Fred, featuring pear brilliant-cut diamonds weighing 10.69, 10.23, 5.05, 5.05, 4.23, 4.20, 4.03, 3.56, 2.82, 2.59 and 2.56 carats, as well as a 2.39-carat pear modified brilliant-cut diamond.
A preview of Magnificent Jewels will be held November 7 to 10 at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues. The Online Sale: “The Geneva Edit,” opens for bidding during the preview and will continue until November 18, with all lots being offered in the online sale being exhibited.