At left, the 10-carat fancy intense blue diamond estimated to sell for more than $6 million at Sotheby’s upcoming jewelry auction in New York, and at right, the Harry Winston diamond necklace from the 1960s estimated to fetch up to $1.2 million.
New York—A series of exceptional diamonds are expected to be the top lots of Sotheby’s upcoming High Jewelry auction, scheduled to take place June 16 in New York.
The star of the sale is an unmounted 10.02-carat cut-cornered rectangular modified brilliant fancy intense blue diamond that is estimated to sell for more than $6 million.
It is the third 10-carat-plus fancy intense blue diamond offered at auction since 2008, Sotheby’s said.
The offering of this “lush blue” diamond, which is nearly free of inclusions, poses an “extraordinarily rare” opportunity for buyers, Sotheby’s said.
A handful of colored diamond rings also are included in the jewelry auction.
A ring featuring a 6.76-carat cushion modified brilliant-cut fancy grayish blue diamond surrounded by pink diamonds is estimated to sell for $1.2 million to $1.8 million, while one set with a 5.02-carat fancy intense pink diamond and two light pink diamonds could fetch $2 million to $3 million.
A 5.02-carat oval-shaped fancy intense pink diamond flanked by a pair of pear-shaped light pink diamonds weighing 0.44 and 0.42 carats
A 4.19-carat, oval-shaped fancy purple-pink diamond ring that is estimated to sell for $1 million to $1.5 million
A 13.77-carat cut-cornered rectangular mixed-cut fancy light purplish pink diamond ring with a pre-sale estimate of $1.5 million to $2 million
While blue and pink diamonds are expected to sell for millions, the piece that landed on the cover of the sale’s catalog is a Harry Winston necklace (pictured at the top of the article) set with more than 120 carats of colorless diamonds.
Dating to the 1960s, the necklace features graduated pairs of round diamonds alternating with marquise-shaped diamond clusters, which is unusual for the brand. Harry Winston normally pairs marquise-shaped diamonds with pear cuts—not rounds—in its “Winston Cluster” jewels.
It is estimated to sell for $800,000 to $1.2 million.
Related stories will be right here …
The jewelry auction also will feature diamonds from Sotheby’s collaboration with De Beers Group, which celebrates diamonds as cultural icons and works of art.
The sales of the “Jwaneng 28.88,” a round brilliant diamond that sold for $2.7 million at Sotheby’s April high jewelry sale, as well as a pair of 18.38-carat round diamonds that achieved $3.3 million at Sotheby’s Geneva last month, are results of the partnership.
At the upcoming sale, a trio of De Beers diamonds—an 11.33-carat elongated old mine-cut diamond and two pear-shaped diamond rings—will be offered as lots 32, 33, and 34.
The 11.33-carat elongated old mine-cut diamond and the pear-shaped diamonds, each weighing 2.01 carats, in loose form
The old-mine cut diamond is Type IIa.
Its D color and VVS2 clarity place it among a “very limited category of old mine brilliants where historical form and top-grade gemological quality coincide,” the auction house said.
The “Jwaneng 28.88” and the matching pair referenced above were each cut according to Belgian engineer and diamond cutter Marcel Tolkowsky’s 1919 formula, which is widely regarded as the most ideal proportions for a modern round brilliant diamond.
However, the old-mine cut stone was faceted in “an intentionally non-formulaic manner” that Sotheby’s said reflects the human touch and lends the stone its unique, captivating character.
The diamond is estimated to sell for $600,000 to $800,000.
The proceeds from the rings will be donated to the Peace Parks Foundation, a conservation-focused nonprofit in southern Africa co-founded by the late President Nelson Mandela.
The high jewelry auction also will feature a private collection of Paraíba tourmalines as lots 24-27.
The offering comprises five stones assembled by the scion of an American communications empire founded in the early 1900s, Sotheby’s said.
An unmounted oval-shaped Paraíba tourmaline of Brazilian origin weighing 7.70 carats, estimated to sell for $350,000 to $550,000. It is one of the five stones in the private collection.
The Cartier diamond necklace from the 1930s set with old European-, old mine-, rose-, single-cut and round diamonds
The 1970s ruby, emerald and diamond sautoir by Van Cleef & Arpels
There is also a 1930s Cartier diamond necklace estimated to sell for $80,000 to $120,000, as well as a 1970s ruby, emerald and diamond sautoir by Van Cleef & Arpels with a pre-sale estimate of $60,000 to $80,000.
In addition, a René Lalique necklace that belonged to a member of the Morgan family, the American banking dynasty that included financier John Pierpont (J.P.) Morgan, will be offered with an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000.
The piece is composed of white diamonds set traditionally in silver-topped gold.
It dates to the late 19th century and is an “unusual and compelling example” of Lalique’s early work, Sotheby’s said, as it differs from the colorful, nature-inspired motifs of the jeweler’s later Art Nouveau style.
To see more of the lots going up for sale at the New York high jewelry auction on June 16, visit the Sotheby’s website.
