Editor’s Note
Christie’s recent Magnificent Jewels auction in New York realized $44.4 million, with strong participation across all bidding platforms. The sale, which achieved a 90% sell-through rate, showcased exceptional pieces from leading jewelry houses and highlighted continued robust demand for high-end gems and signed jewels.
Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction, held at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, achieved a total of $44.4 million. The live sale saw lively bidding across phone, in-room, and online channels, with 90% of the 144 lots sold. The auction featured a dazzling array of rare diamonds, notable colored stones, and jewelry from prestigious houses such as Bulgari, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels.
The top lot was “The Eden Rose,” a 10.20-carat Round Brilliant Fancy Intense Pink Diamond, which sold for $13.3 million, exceeding its high estimate. The auction saw strong global participation, with 51% of bids from the Americas, 24% from Europe, and 26% from Asia Pacific and the Middle East.
– Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International Head of Jewelry
Strong results were achieved for colored diamonds and colored stones, including:
• An Important Colored Diamond and Diamond Pendant Necklace, sold for $2,167,500.
• A 2.28-carat Fancy Vivid Blue Heart Modified Brilliant-Cut Diamond, achieved $2,107,000.
Outstanding results were seen for natural pearls, with multiple lots exceeding high estimates:
• A Natural Pearl, Cultured Pearl and Diamond Necklace achieved $378,000, five times its high estimate of $50,000.
• A pair of Natural Pearl and Diamond Earrings sold for $277,200, almost ten times the high estimate of $30,000.
Noteworthy results were achieved from distinguished collections, including “Beauty in Design: Magnificent Jewelry from the Collection of Sunny Crawford von Bulow and Ala von Auersperg Isham.”
• An Exquisite Van Cleef & Arpels Carved Emerald, Ruby and Diamond Necklace sold for $289,800.
• An Art Deco Natural Pearl, Cultured Pearl and Diamond Necklace achieved $302,400 against a low estimate of $100,000.
The 16 jewels featured in this collection totaled $1,400,000.
Jewelry auctions continue with “Jewels Online,” which is open for bidding through June 13th.