Auctions

A Yellow Diamond, Hollywood Jewels Stand Out at Sotheby’s

AuctionsDec 06, 2023

A Yellow Diamond, Hollywood Jewels Stand Out at Sotheby’s

Additional lots will be offered in the Fine Jewels online sale through Dec. 7.

133 carat yellow diamond
Headlining the Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale, this 133.03-carat yellow diamond sold for $5.5 million, making it the largest fancy vivid yellow diamond to ever sell at auction, said Sotheby’s.
Editor’s Note: The caption under the Bulgari “Monete” necklace was updated post-publication to reflect the correct selling price for the piece. The Monete necklace sold for $38,000, not $76,200 as previously stated.
 

New York—A 133-carat yellow diamond, along with vintage jewels from Bulgari, Tiffany & Co., Cartier and Harry Winston and pieces from Hollywood legends like Mary Tyler Moore, were highlights of the Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction on Tuesday. 

The yellow diamond headlining the sale, weighing 133.03 carats, achieved $5.5 million and is the largest fancy vivid yellow diamond to ever sell at auction, said Sotheby’s.

In total, the Magnificent Jewels sale brought in $38.4 million.

Other diamond and color diamond pieces surpassed their estimates as well, with a diamond necklace featuring 120 pear-shaped diamonds, including two weighing over 28 carats each, selling for $4.4 million, above its $4 million estimate.

pear shaped diamond necklace
A negligee-style diamond necklace with 95 pear-shaped diamonds, including two internally flawless stones weighing more than 28 carats each, which sold for $4.4 million


Another diamond piece, a necklace by Leviev featuring 30 diamonds totaling 120 carats sold for $2.4 million, within its $2 million to $3 million estimate.

Leviev necklace
A Leviev necklace with 30 diamonds of various cuts, which sold for $2.4 million


Two colored diamond rings also sold above their estimates, a solitaire ring featuring a 7.37-carat fancy intense orangy-pink diamond and a toi et moi ring featuring a 3.68-carat fancy gray-violet diamond. 

 


 Related stories will be right here … 


All 10 pieces offered in the sale from the collection of actress Mary Tyler Moore sold, totaling $315,700, surpassing its high estimate of $232,000. 

Bidders “eagerly vied” for the pieces, the auction house said, describing the lots as evocative of her understated-yet-timeless elegance. 

Highlights include a gold “Monete” necklace from Bulgari with a pendant featuring an ancient Greek coin. 

The piece, gifted to Moore by her husband, Dr. S. Robert Levine, for their anniversary, earned above its estimate, selling for $38,000.

Mary Tyler Moore Bulgari necklace
A gold “Monete” necklace from Bulgari, gifted to Mary Tyler Moore by her husband, sold for $38,000, above its $35,000 high estimate.

A 5.14-carat diamond ring the auction house said Moore wore daily sold for $76,200. 

Additional jewels from Moore’s collection will be offered in Sotheby’s Fine Jewels sale, which is open for bidding through Dec. 7. 

Full proceeds from her 21-piece collection will benefit The Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative, a nonprofit organization that seeks to preserve and restore vision in people with diabetes, continuing Moore’s work and honoring her legacy.   

Another a highlight of the sale, a Burmese pink sapphire and diamond ring, soared to $1.1 million, selling for seven times its high estimate. 

The piece, which the auction house called exceedingly rare, is from the collection of comedian Richard “Red” Skelton and his wife. 

Also from the Skeltons’ collection, a ruby and diamond bracelet by Harry Winston was reacquired by Harry Winston, which is now owned by The Swatch Group, for $393,700, surpassing its high estimate of $250,000.  

 
All five jewels from the Hollywood couple’s collection sold, realizing $3.7 million, against a $2.2 million high estimate. 

An additional 21 pieces from the Skeltons’ collection will be offered in the Fine Jewels online sale.

The auction also featured jewels from the collections of Barbara and Frank Sinatra and Tony Randall and his wife Heather, all of which sold. 

A 16.19-carat diamond ring from the Sinatra collection fetched $406,400, above its estimate of $250,000 to $350,000, while the Randall collection was highlighted by a gold, sapphire, emerald and diamond bracelet by Jean Schlumberger that sold for $127,000, surpassing its high estimate.

Barbara Sinatra ring
A diamond ring that once belonged to the Sinatras, featuring a 16.19-carat center stone
 
“We are extremely proud of today’s strong and promising results, further confirming that there continues to be exceptional value and broad interest in truly rare jewels, especially those with esteemed provenance, as proven by the extraordinary result for Red Skelton’s pink sapphire ring,” said Quig Bruning, head of Sotheby’s Jewels, America & EMEA. 

“With a rich, sumptuous color that took my breath away, it is a gem I will always remember. It was a true privilege to bring the hammer down on these extraordinary objects that dazzled and captivated the attention of collectors around the globe.” 

Bruning said the auction house looks forward to closing out Sotheby’s year of jewelry auctions with the Fine Jewels sale on Thursday. 

The Latest

Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco, Engagement Ring
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Selena Gomez Said ‘Forever Begins Now’ to Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring

Estimates on the size and value of the solitaire diamond, which is mounted on a diamond pavé-set yellow gold band, vary.

Martin Katz tanzanite drop earrings
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Piece of the Week: Martin Katz’s Tanzanite Drops

These half-moon tanzanite earrings totaling 25 carats are part of a special trunk show taking place this weekend in Dallas.

My Next Question webinar graphic
Recorded WebinarsDec 13, 2024
Watch: The Highs and Lows of 2024

The National Jeweler editors recap the top news, the best jewels, and their favorite stories of the year.

ja nj btyb.jpg
Brought to you by
Advocacy and Excellence: How Jewelers of America Is Committed to Elevating Our Industry

For over a century, Jewelers of America has been the voice of the industry and valuable resource to jewelers across the country.

Grizzly emerald mining
SourcingDec 12, 2024
Grizzly Emerald Auction Garners $22.4M

Recent expansion initiatives at the Zambian emerald mine have shown strong production numbers, said Grizzly founder Abdoulaye Ndiaye.

Weekly QuizDec 12, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Carrie Forman
MajorsDec 12, 2024
Mark Henry Appoints New Director of Sales

Carrie Forman joins the brand to guide it into the next phase of growth with major and independent retailers in the U.S. and abroad.

Models wearing jewelry by 2024 Shining Light Award winners
SourcingDec 12, 2024
De Beers Announces 2024 ‘Shining Light’ Award Winners

The competition awarded 12 designers, each from a country where De Beers recovers diamonds, with business support and tuition assistance.

undefined.png
Brought to you by
Protecting Your Sparkle: Why Screening Has Become Essential

While no reputable jeweler would knowingly sell lab-grown stones as natural, it's a growing possibility.

Woman wearing a snake ring and bracelet
CollectionsDec 12, 2024
The Jared Atelier x Vera Wang Collection Emphasizes Elegance

The high jewelry collection features 14 one-of-a-kind pieces, with serpent and ribbon motifs winding their way through the collection.

Stock image of a gavel
CrimeDec 11, 2024
Former Tiffany & Co. Factory Supervisor Sentenced for Stealing Precious Metals

A federal judge gave Benjamin Preacher 59 days in jail, plus 10 months of home confinement and two years of supervised release.

Grader looking into microscope at IGI lab
GradingDec 11, 2024
IGI Set to Go Public Next Week

In a CNBC interview, CEO Tehmasp Printer discussed the IPO in India and what declining lab-grown diamond prices mean for the company.

Stephanie Gottlieb, Anna Harman, Stephanie Gottlieb x Studs Collection
CollectionsDec 11, 2024
Stephanie Gottlieb Brings Natural Diamonds to Studs

The 13-piece “Stephanie Gottlieb x Studs” collection is the piercing studio’s first fine jewelry offering to feature the gemstone.

Exterior of Sauer’s Madison Avenue Store
IndependentsDec 10, 2024
Sauer Opens First U.S. Store

The Brazilian jewelry brand made a home on New York City’s Madison Avenue with exclusive pieces only available at the location.

Person at keyboard holding credit card
SurveysDec 10, 2024
Jewelry Among Top Sellers on Cyber Monday, Says Adobe

An Adobe Analytics report explored the rise in mobile shopping, the popularity of Buy Now Pay Later options, and peak shopping hours.

American Gem Trade Association and University of Arizona
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2024
AGTA Launches Scholarship for University of Arizona Geosciences Students

The inaugural Dick Greenwood Memorial Scholarship in Gems Science will cover the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters.

JA New York Show Entrance
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2024
JA New York To Debut 2 New Pavilions at Spring 2025 Show

A Piazza Italia pavilion will feature Italian designers and manufacturers while “MJSA Showcase” brings over a piece of the MJSA Expo.

Ray Griffiths and Ray Griffiths: The Works
CollectionsDec 09, 2024
Ray Griffiths’ First Coffee Table Book Spans 5 Decades of Design

“Ray Griffiths: The Works” tells the story of the master jeweler’s career, which started with an apprenticeship in Australia at age 15.

Grant Mobley and Thomas Davis
MajorsDec 09, 2024
Thomas Davis, Grant Mobley Join WJA Foundation Board

Davis is the director of business development at Select Jewelry Inc., and Mobley is the jewelry and watch editor at the Natural Diamond Council.

Movado campaign
FinancialsDec 09, 2024
Movado’s Q3 Sales Down 3% Amid ‘Challenging’ Environment

The retailer has been upping its marketing spend to drive revenue growth and brand awareness.

Treiber & Straub store Brookfield, Wisconsin
IndependentsDec 06, 2024
After 44 Years in Business, This Wisconsin Independent Is Closing

Mike Straub and John Treiber opened Treiber & Straub in 1980 with the goal of bringing Milwaukeeans the best jewelry brands.

Pantone Color of the Year Mocha Mousse
TrendsDec 06, 2024
Pantone’s Color of the Year Is a Delicious Mousse

The color for 2025, “Mocha Mousse,” embodies thoughtful indulgences and everyday pleasures.

Cocoerow Fine Jewelry’s Kokoro Ant Pendant
CollectionsDec 06, 2024
Piece of the Week: Cocoerow Fine Jewelry’s ‘Kokoro’ Pendant

The Yoruba word for ant, “Kokoro” embodies the strength of womanhood in ant society while highlighting responsible sourcing.

Roberto Coin jewelry
FinancialsDec 06, 2024
Roberto Coin Acquisition Gives Watches of Switzerland a Boost in H1

The retailer’s jewelry sales doubled, with branded jewelry performing especially well.

Gold rings
FinancialsDec 05, 2024
Signet Jewelers’ Q3 Sales Slide Amid Slow Engagement Ring Sales, Tech Issues

The jewelry retailer addressed the lab-grown diamond “disruption,” the price of gold, and its holiday weekend performance.

Hand holding shopping bags
SurveysDec 05, 2024
Consumer Confidence Rises Again in November

A more positive view of the current labor market boosted the Conference Board’s index last month.

Michael S. Krzemnicki
Events & AwardsDec 05, 2024
Michael S. Krzemnicki to Receive 2024 Bonanno Award

The director of the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF) will be honored for his impact on gemology and dedication to advancing the science.

1.png
Supplier BulletinDec 05, 2024
Join Us For Color's Premier Show: 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson

Sponsored by 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy