Following the success of its Magnificent Jewels auction in May, Christie’s returns to the Four Season Hotel des Bergues in Geneva on November 11 with a curated selection of historic and contemporary jewelry spanning more than a century of exquisite craftsmanship.
Featuring more than 100 jewels from luxury houses including Harry Winston, Cartier, JAR and Van Cleef & Arpels, the auction includes three notable private collections attracting the world’s most seminal collectors.
The Mellon Blue
The highlight of the Magnificent Jewels is The Mellon Blue, an exceptional fancy vivid blue diamond that once belonged to American horticulturalist, philanthropist and art collector Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon. Weighing in at 9.51 carats, this pear-shaped blue diamond broke records when it last sold for $32.6 million in 2014 and is one of the finest colored diamonds ever to appear on the market with an estimated value of between $20 million and $30 million.
The world’s finest natural diamonds
Other stand-out lots include vintage Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef pieces, as well as exceptional solitaires and even loose diamonds.
The Rainbow Collection
Featuring more than 300 gems of various cuts and carats in a full spectrum of unique hues from red, blue, green, yellow, orange and pink, this is of one the most extensive private collections of fancy colored natural diamonds available at auction.
These exquisite diamonds were presented to diamond cleaver Eddy Elzas in a cigar box in the 1970s, a time when colored diamonds were considered commercially lower in value than their white counterparts. Elzas saw something beautiful in fancy colored diamonds and their unrepeatable hues, and is often credited for building the fancy-color diamond trade.
Cartier Diamond Adele Ring
This exceptional piece features a pear brilliant-cut diamond of 13.40 carats alongside round diamonds, platinum (with English and French marks) and is valued at upwards of $390,000.
Tiffany & Co Art Nouveau Floral Brooch
Designed by Paulding Farnham in 1901, this exceptional piece was considered an ambitious design when first presented at the Pan American Exposition. Its bolder, more colorful expression represented a shift away from the delicate and feminine aesthetics of the Victorian era.
With its symmetrical composition, refined use of gold and light blue enamel, and the interplay of colored diamonds, this piece exemplifies this newfound Renaissance-inspired approach delivered with modern precision.
Bulgari Colored Diamond and Diamond Ring
This beautiful ring features a fancy vivid yellow cushion modified brilliant-cut diamond, which weighs in at 31.04 carats. The piece also includes fancy-shaped diamonds, platinum and 18k yellow gold, as well as Bulgari engraving and is estimated between $740,000 and $1.8 million.
Important Cartier Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Bracelet
Originating from the 1930s, this exceptional diamond and ruby bracelet combines a sequence of oval-shaped and calibré-cut rubies and single-cut round diamonds. With an estimate of up to $619,000, this lot is sure to attract attention with international collectors.
Viewings of all the collections take place from Friday November 7 and online lots can register at the Christie’s website.
