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Christie’s To Sell Jewels of Socialite Betsy Bloomingdale
Jewelry from the woman who married the department store heir will be featured in the Magnificent Jewels sale scheduled for Dec. 7 in New York.
This Harry Winston graduated pear, circular and marquise-cut diamond cluster necklace, with the largest 12 pear-shaped diamonds weighing 4.10 to 2.17 carats, could sell for up to $600,000 at Christie’s New York next month.
New York--She was an iconic American socialite who epitomized the style of post-war United States, and now, the very jewelry she wore while entertaining is headed to the auction block.
On Dec. 7, Christie’s New York will offer the jewelry of Betsy Bloomingdale, philanthropist and wife of Alfred Bloomingdale, the heir to the Bloomingdale’s department store fortune, at its Magnificent Jewels sale.
California-born Betty Lee Newling, who was known as Betsy, married Bloomingdale in 1946 and had three children with him.
Together, the Bloomingdales became influential figures in business, politics, culture and fashion, Christie’s said. They had homes in Los Angeles, New York and Washington, and counted some of the country’s most notable families--Forbes, Paley and Reagan, for example--as part of their inner circle.
Betsy Bloomingdale, specifically, was a world traveler and socialite, known for throwing lavish dinner parties and wearing the most fashionable haute couture and fine jewels from names such as Harry Winston while entertaining.
She died this summer at the age of 93.
Among the lots of her jewelry include a number of Harry Winston pieces, including a ring with a 29.01-carat pear brilliant-cut diamond flanked on either side by three tapered baguette-cut diamonds, expected to sell for between $1.3 million and $1.8 million; and a diamond cluster necklace with the largest 12 pear-shaped diamonds weighing 4.10 to 2.17 carats, predicted to sell for up to $600,000.
There’s also a diamond brooch with a detachable waterfall of pear-shaped diamonds, suspended from scrolling pear-shaped, marquise and baguette-cut diamond surmount, that could sell for between $100,000 and $150,000.
This Harry Winston diamond cluster brooch features a suspending detachable waterfall spray of pear-shaped diamonds, the largest five weighing approximately 3.91, 3.19, 2.99, 2.78 and 2.66 carats, attached to a scrolling pear-shaped, marquise and baguette-cut diamond surmount. It is expected to sell for between $100,000 and $150,000.
With this pair of diamond ear pendants by Harry Winston, each features a suspended cluster of marquise and pear-shaped diamonds attached to a circular and pear-shaped diamond surmount. The pair could sell for up to $400,000 at Christie’s.
A Harry Winton diamond ring set with a pear brilliant-cut diamond, weighing approximately 29.01 carats, flanked on either side by three tapered baguette-cut diamonds is expected to sell in the range of $1.3 million and $1.5 million.
The Magnificent Jewels sale will close the celebration of Christie’s 250th anniversary year, reoffering an assortment of jewels from historic sales.
This will include a pair of mystery-set sapphire and diamond ear pendants by Van Cleef & Arpels that could sell for between $220,000 and $300,000. Formerly from the Collection of Elizabeth Taylor, the ear pendants originally sold at Christie’s New York in 2011.
Other notable signed jewels include a pair of JAR carved quartz and diamond brooches mounted in 18-karat black gold from the Collection of Robert and Sylvia Olnick ($30,000 to $50,000) and a stunning bib multi-gem and diamond necklace by Oscar Heyman & Brothers from a prominent Rancho Santa Fe collection ($40,000 to $60,000).
There also will be some notable stones in the auction.
A Superb Collection of Important Gemstones from a private collection includes The Burma Blue, a cushion-cut
Editors' Picks
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Burmese sapphire ring of 75.41 carats that could sell for up to $5 million, and The Mandalay Blue, another cushion-cut Burmese sapphire ring of 31.38 carats that could garner between $700,000 and $1 million.
For a full list of lots included in the sale, visit Christies.com.
For a full list of lots included in the sale, visit Christies.com.
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