Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry Sale
The top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.

With 95 percent of lots sold, the sale marked the highest sell-through rate for a various-owner jewelry auction at Sotheby’s New York, said the auction house.
The top lot was a 35.01-carat emerald-cut diamond ring by Graff, which sold for $3.2 million after a three-minute bidding battle, said Sotheby’s, above its estimate of $2 million to $3 million.
“It’s also encouraging to see that the very best white diamonds remain highly desirable, as highlighted by the stunning 35-carat Graff D-color diamond, which captivated all who laid their eyes upon it,” said Quig Bruning, head of Sotheby’s Jewels, Americas and EMEA.

The ring was part of the “Joie de Vivre: Journey in Jewels” private collection up for sale, which achieved a total of $4.9 million, within its $3.3 million to $5.2 million estimate.
The jewels were gifts from a husband to his wife throughout their 60-plus-year marriage, said the auction house.
“Over the years, the husband became a familiar presence at many of the world’s most storied jewelry houses—including Graff and David Webb—where his thoughtful visits and enduring love for his wife were reflected in every carefully chosen piece,” said Sotheby’s.
Though a big diamond stole the show, the colored gemstones garnered top dollar as well.

A Colombian emerald and diamond ring by JAR, set with an 8.62-carat emerald, sold for $1.6 million, more than twice the high end of its $500,000 to $700,000 estimate.

A “superb” Kashmir rectangular step-cut sapphire from the 1930s weighing 7.50 carats sold for $1.4 million, above its pre-sale estimate of $500,000 to $700,000.
“Today’s result is a great continuation for what has already been a phenomenal year for jewelry at Sotheby’s,” said Bruning.
“Much like our High Jewelry sale in Geneva last month, today’s top prices were dominated by exceptional stones of extraordinary color – from the superb emerald and diamond ring by JAR to the mesmerizing 1930s Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring.”

Several colored diamonds also commanded high prices, including a 2.02-carat fancy vivid blue diamond that sold to an online bidder for $1.8 million, beyond the high end of its $1.4 million to $1.5 million estimate.
A ring set with a 5.02-carat oval-shaped fancy pink diamond sold within its estimate, achieving $1.5 million.

A 0.47-carat oval-shaped fancy red diamond sold for $177,800, well below its $500,000 to $700,000 estimate, while a set of seven fancy red, purplish red and purple-red diamonds sold for $292,100, within its $250,000 to $450,000 estimate.
Another collection offered at the sale was four pieces from the estate of Emily Vanderbilt Wade, daughter of William Henry Vanderbilt III, former governor of Rhode Island, and great-granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt.
The pieces sold for a combined $2.2 million, the high end of its pre-sale estimate.
The top lot within that collection and the No. 2 lot overall by sale price was a Marcus & Co. necklace, circa 1915, set with a 9.60-carat Burmese ruby. It sold for $1.8 million, within its pre-sale estimate of $1 million to $2 million.
Vanderbilt Wade’s collection also included a Cartier Art Deco diamond bracelet, a René Lalique pendant, and a tassel sautoir.
“We saw remarkable enthusiasm for signed jewelry, with collectors showing appreciation for masterpieces by iconic names such as Schlumberger, Lalique, Suzanne Belperron, and Harry Winston,” said Bruning.
As for the signed jewelry, a selection of six jewels by Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. sold for a combined $406,400, above its estimate of $200,000 to $315,000.

The star of the group was an enamel and diamond bracelet in an “unusual” shade of turquoise blue, which sold for $107,950, well above its pre-sale estimate of $30,000 to $50,000.
There were also four Art Nouveau jewels by René Lalique from a collection in Chicago, including a peridot, glass, and diamond “Le Vol de la Pierre” (“The Theft of the Stone”) brooch that sold for $279,400, more than five times its high estimate.

Two "rare" Suzanne Belperron pieces, including a gold, emerald, and ruby ring and a gold and diamond necklace, sold well above their estimates.
There was also a collection of 18 jewels by Harry Winston, which sold for a combined $2.6 million, above its estimate of $985,000 to $1.5 million.
The top lot of the group was a 12.59-carat oval-shaped Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring which sold for $571,500, above its pre-sale estimate of $100,000 to $200,000.
Notably, more than half of the lots sold online, with 65 percent of lots selling above their pre-sale estimates.
Visit Sotheby’s website to see the full auction results.
The Latest

Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.

Two men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.

The “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.

The brand, celebrating its 15th anniversary, has popped up at Market, a luxury fashion destination in Highland Park Village.


She was remembered as a creative and generous woman of faith, who also had a sweet tooth.

Move over neck mess, the ear story is the way to make a layering statement today.

With their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.

The New York-based brand is set to launch a limited-time offering for the holiday season at Holt Renfrew in Toronto.

The “Volume 7” bridal catalog features best-selling engagement rings, trending styles, and a new section highlighting anniversary bands.

Holiday sales growth is expected to slow as consumers grapple with inflation and tariff-related uncertainty.

Jamie Turner Designs is among the winners of the local “Austin Shines” contest, hosted by Eliza Page, a jewelry store in Austin, Texas.

The red and azure colorway is one of many fun enamel pairings offered, bringing whimsy to the classic style of a monogramed signet ring.

A trade deal with Switzerland seems probable, but reaching an agreement with India remains a challenge, David Bonaparte said.

Botswana’s president said his country wants a controlling share, while Angola envisions multiple countries holding minority stakes.

The manufacturer is adding 1,400 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors to its growing facility in India.

The jeweler to the stars has worked with Drake, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, and other celebrities.

The Scarsdale, New York-based jeweler donated a professional-grade watch cleaning machine.

The 50 percent tariffs on diamonds shipped from India to the U.S. have pushed midstream manufacturers to the edge.

De Beers’ refreshed, multipronged approach, which includes generic promotions and retail partnerships, is delivering positive dividends.
They are trying to balance the need to sustain well-established relationships with the pressure higher tariffs have put on margins.

Jewelry manufacturer Jewelex has partnered with JOSH, an industry training center, on a program for people with disabilities.

The collection includes pieces dating back to the Victorian and Art Deco periods as well as mid-century and late 20th-century designs.

He previously served as co-chair of the nonprofit’s beneficiary committee.

Its second collaboration with the conservationist features jewelry with dove and olive branch motifs.

The diamond manufacturer’s new company will provide accessible and affordable high-quality medicines across India.

Emmanuel Raheb shares tips on how a jeweler’s showcases, marketing, and social media presence can whisper, instead of shout.