Colour diamonds dominate Christie’s $75 million auction

The pendant was part of the auctioned lots that were sold above the reserve, which included a 5.38-carat rare vivid orange-pink diamond for $US2.67 million ($AU3.73 million) and an 8.74-carat dark grey-blue “internally flawless” diamond ring that sold for $US2.6 million ($AU3.6 million). Sales at the event totaled $US54.97 million ($AU76.75 million).

Colour diamond jewellery dominated the auction in terms of value sold, according to organisers. The auction sold 91 per cent of the ‘Magnificent Jewels’ lots.

One of the most notable highlights of the event was the Art Deco Cartier piece called “A Superlative Eye: Property from a Distinguished Chicago Collection” which comprised of a Graff ruby and diamond ring that sold for $US1.29 million ($AU1.8 million).

The collection also included an Art Deco emerald, sapphire and diamond brooch previously owned by the wife of famed American songwriter Cole Porter that sold for $US381,250 ($AU532,230); and a Cartier Art Deco diamond and gemstone Egyptian revival brooch that was sold for $US268,750 ($AU375,178).

Other notable pieces that broke the million-dollar bid offers were a 17.73-carat Kashmir sapphire ring that sold for $US2.07 million ($AU2.89 million) and a 44.12-carat intense yellow diamond ring for $US1.1 million ($AU1.54 million).

A Van Cleef & Arpels Art Deco diamond bracelet that was featured in a New York Smithsonian Design Museum exhibit also fetched $US1.23 million ($AU1.73 million).

Bidder attention was also drawn to the eight-lot Van Cleef & Arpels Mystery-Set which sold a sapphire and diamond double-flower brooch for $US575,000 ($AU802,708); ruby and diamond bracelet for $US525,000 ($AU732,907); and ruby and diamond pendant-earrings set for $US412,500 ($AU575,855).

Headquartered in New York, USA, Christie’s operates in 46 countries and claims to be the only international auction company authorised to conduct sales in mainland China.

A rare fancy dark gray-blue diamond ring of 8.74 carats Price realised: $2,610,000
An important fancy vivid yellow diamond pendant of 70.19 carats Price realised: $2,850,000
A rare fancy vivid orangy pink diamond ring of 5.38 carats Price realised: $2,670,000
An important Kashmir sapphire ring of 17.73 carats Price realised: $2,070,000	A spectacular Bvlgari diamond, emerald and ruby ‘lion mask’ bracelet Price realised: $525,000	A sapphire and diamond necklace Price realised: $400,000
A magnificent cartier art deco emerald, sapphire and diamond brooch Price realised: $381,250	A fancy blue diamond ring of 7.00 carats Price realised: $2,190,000	An historic late 17th century emerald, diamond and enamel rosary Price realised: $675,000
An important Graff ruby and diamond necklace Price realised: $1,050,000	An exquisite cartier art deco multi-gem and diamond Egyptian revival brooch Price realised: $268,750	An exceptional Van Cleef & Arpels art deco diamond bracelet Price realised: $1,230,000
An impressive pair of diamond rivière necklaces Price realised: $350,000	The Rockefeller pearl a fine Gillot & Co. antique natural pearl and diamond pendant Price realised: $700,000	An impressive diamond earrings of 25.78 and 25.62 carats Price realised: $930,000
A colored diamond, diamond and emerald ring Price realised: $1,110,000	A Van Cleef & Arpels sapphire and diamond ‘mystery-set’ double-flower brooch Price realised: $575,000	A Van Cleef & Arpels ruby and diamond necklace Price realised: $625,000

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