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In NY, Sotheby’s to sell jewels of a Mellon
Jewelry that once belonged to Rachel Lambert Mellon, a horticulturalist and art collector who died earlier this year at the age of 103, will hit the auction block at Sotheby’s in November, including a fancy vivid blue diamond estimated to garner up to $15 million.
Mellon’s collection of jewels and objects of vertu, small objects created from precious materials used as works of art or that have a practical purpose, will be offered Nov. 20 and 21 at Sotheby’s New York.
Highlighting Mellon’s jewelry is a 9.75-carat pear-shaped fancy vivid blue diamond of VVS2 clarity. The potentially internally flawless stone, mounted in platinum, is accompanied by a Gemological Institute of America report and is expected to sell for up to $15 million.
Another pear-shaped fancy blue diamond, this one weighing 9.15 carats and also mounted in platinum, has a pre-sale high estimate of $1.5 million.
A circa 1900 gold and diamond rivière necklace by Cartier is set with 29 old European cut diamonds weighing a total of 111 carats, with a 4.20-carat round fancy deep yellow diamond on the clasp. The necklace is expected to sell for $1.2 to $1.5 million.
A pair of 18-karat gold, sapphire and diamond brooches by Van Cleef & Arpels is expected to fetch up to $35,000.
“Mrs. Mellon’s personal jewels and objects of vertu reflect her close relationships with the designers she loved,” Sotheby’s said. “Pieces from Verdura, Schlumberger and Givenchy appear in the collection, as well as period jewels from Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Black Starr & Frost.
The auction will include an attractive array of wearable daytime jewels, gold accessories and objects of vertu, both modern and vintage.”
In addition to jewelry and objects of vertu, Mellon’s fine art, furniture, porcelain, silver and glassware also will be up for auction. Together, the lots are expected to achieve more than $100 million.
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