Auctions

This Burmese Ruby Could Fetch Up to $5.5M at Auction

AuctionsDec 09, 2019

This Burmese Ruby Could Fetch Up to $5.5M at Auction

“The duPont Ruby,” from The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, leads Christie’s New York’s Magnificent Jewels sale this week.

20191209_ChristiesMag-dupont.jpg
“The duPont Ruby” leads Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale this week. The Pigeon Blood Burmese stone weighs 11.20 carats.

New York—Two important jewels from The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts are headlining Christie’s New York’s Magnificent Jewels sale, happening this week.

Prior to being acquired from VMFA, both jewels originated in the collection of Mrs. Alfred I. duPont. One of America’s wealthiest families, the duPonts made their fortune in gunpowder manufacturing in the 19th century.

“The duPont Ruby” brooch, estimated to fetch between $3.5 million and $5.5 million, features an 11.20-carat cushion mixed-cut pigeon blood Burmese ruby, not heat-treated.

Pictured at top, it sits in a platinum and 18-karat white gold brooch set with rectangular- and trapezoid-shaped emeralds, French-, old- and marquise-cut diamonds and pearls.



“The duPont Emerald” (pictured above) can be had for a much more wallet-friendly price estimate of an estimated $500,000 to $700,000. The Colombian, no clarity enhancement, modified rectangular step-cut 9.11-carat emerald is set in a Tiffany & Co. ring, created circa 1920.

The platinum ring also features old-cut diamonds.

Proceeds from the sale of the duPont pieces will benefit future VMFA acquisitions.

Another jewel from the early 20th century Belle Époque era is tied with “The duPont Ruby” for highest estimated sale price at Magnificent Jewels.



Circa 1915, the above ring features a Kashmir cabochon 30.14-carat sapphire with no evidence of heat or clarity enhancement set in platinum with old-cut diamonds. It’s also expected to garner between $3.5 million and $5.5 million.



The pictured blue diamond ring is another of the sale’s top lots. The fancy vivid blue round-cornered rectangular modified brilliant-cut 3.07-carat diamond set in platinum is expected to earn between $3 million and $4 million.



Colorless diamonds are also likely to make a splash at the sale, in particular the above Type IIa D-color, flawless rectangular-cut 24.13-carat diamond, flanked by trapezoid-shaped diamonds and set in platinum.

It’s predicted to sell for between $2 million and $3 million.



The above diamond is also expected to earn $2 million to $3 million. By Harry Winston, the Type IIa D-color, potentially internally flawless, rectangular-cut 23.55-carat diamond is flanked by triangular-shaped diamonds and set in platinum.

The Magnificent Jewels auction features many signed pieces from the likes of Belperron, Boivin, Cartier, Fouquet, René Lalique and Van Cleef & Arpels.




One notable piece from Lalique is the above signed Art Nouveau enamel, glass, diamond and aquamarine pendant necklace, circa 1915.

The pendant can be detached and also worn as a brooch. It’s estimated to sell for between $150,000 and $250,000.

Pieces
from contemporary designers like Taffin and JAR are also available at the sale, as are the decidedly modern diamond-crusted headphones seen below.



The diamond, ruby, platinum and white leather Beats Pro headphones by Graff are expected to sell for between $100,000 and $150,000 and were created for performers at Super Bowl XLVI: LMFAO, Madonna and Lil’ Wayne.

They’re crafted with more than 1,500 diamonds weighing more than 120 carats and 28 rubies weighing 3.35 carats.

Magnificent Jewels will take place Dec. 11 in New York City. To see the full listing of lots, visit Christies.com.
Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

GIA iD100® Technology
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Madison Keys in Brilliant Earth campaign
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New Ambassador

The 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.

Muse Nordstrom shop-in-shop
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry Hall

The West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Shree Ramkrishna Exports
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-Negative

This past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.

Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Yeprem Golden Strada Statement Necklace
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From Yeprem

The brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.

Stock image of police cars with their lights on
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in Burglaries

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Exterior and entryway of Boucheron’s Los Angeles Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast Flagship

Located on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.

Exterior of Marco Bicego Milan Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan Flagship

The new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Chrono24 Time Is Our Thing campaign image
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New Campaign

The online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.

Bernadette Mack
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive Director

She will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.

Counterfeit Pandora jewelry in bags and boxes
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry Network

Working with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.

Cast Issa Rae
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for Relaunch

The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

Eve Goldberg, Matthew Denatale, Willie Lopez, Benjamin Goldberg
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship Program

The company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.

Elie Hannoush
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73

He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.

Claire’s store
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report Says

The jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.

Mindi Mond Spike Earrings
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot Rubies

Welcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.

The Story of Everything Campaign, Toadstool Mushroom and Cosmic Egg
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry Sales

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

Morgan Keefe
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education Scholarship

This year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.

The Jewelry Book
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry

“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.

Gemist
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech Platform

The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.

Jeff Preolo, David Stout, Levi Higgs, David Benavides
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, Promotions

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

Blake Graham and Jessica Kohoutek
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

Buddha Mama Monstera Ring
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap Ring

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.

Cashier handing Rocksbox bag to customer
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers Downsizes

Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

×

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