CHRISTIE’S NEW YORK PRESENTS MAGNIFICENT JEWELS Including The Light of Peace Diamond

New York - Christie’s announces the upcoming 7 June auction of Magnificent Jewels. The auction includes an exquisite assemblage of jewels from private collections, alongside signed jewels by Cartier, Chaumet, Harry Winston, JAR, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, and Verdura. The full selection will be exhibited ahead of the sale as part of Christie’s New York Luxury Week from 2 June to 6 June.

The auction is led by The Light of Peace Diamond, (estimate: $10,000,000 - 15,000,000) a D color, Internally Flawless, Type IIa, pear brilliant-cut diamond of 126.76 carats and is offered without reserve. Formerly known as the ‘Zale Light of Peace’, the diamond was previously owned by the Zale Corporation of Dallas. Eager to find a way for their company to give back, the Zales arranged showings of the diamond and used proceeds of the ticket sales to establish a fund for peace-supporting missions. So named to promote the company’s ideals and goals, the present diamond has long symbolized good will and charitable efforts. Continuing its history of philanthropic giving, a portion of the proceeds will donated by the current owners to the USA for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

Impressive diamonds and colored diamonds also lead the sale, including a superb fancy vivid blue diamond ring of 3.10 carats (estimate $4,200,000 – 5,200,000); a fancy intense yellow diamond pendant of 50.40 carats (estimate $700,000 – 1,200,000) from The Artistic Journey – A Distinguished West Coast Collection; and a fancy intense pink diamond ring of 4.01 carats (estimate $1,500,000 – 2,500,000).

Colored stones are well represented including a magnificent Burmese ‘Royal Blue’ Sapphire of 71.27 carats beautifully set in a diamond pendant (estimate $3,000,000 – 5,000,000); a pair of Harry Winston emerald and diamond pendant earrings (estimate $500,000 – 700,000); and a Burmese ruby of 10.17 carats (estimate $400,000 – 600,000).

The sale features highlights from The Collection of Adolphus Andrews, Jr. and Emily Taylor Andrews. The collection is rich in its variety, with a particular focus on color and whimsical design, includes an iconic Van Cleef & Arpels ‘Mystery-Set’ sapphire and diamond bracelet (estimate $250,000 – 350,000) reflective of the genius setting style by Van Cleef & Arpels.

Featured in the sale is a selection of jewels formerly from the collection of Betsey Cushing Whitney, the New York philanthropist and socialite known for her exceptional style and taste. A superb set of ruby, emerald and diamond Van Cleef & Arpels earrings and necklace, circa 1970, will be offered (estimate $400,000 – 600,000).

Notable jewels that span the 20th century are also prevalent, including an impressive Chaumet Art Deco emerald and diamond necklace (estimate $2,000,000 – 3,000,000) from the Rothschild family, including the late Baroness Edouard de Rothschild, the late Jacqueline de Rothschild Piatigorsky, and the late Jephta Drachman (Née Piatigorsky). The necklace was made especially for the family in 1930 and is well documented in Chaumet’s archives.

Further notable assemblages include Important Jewels from an American Private Collector which showcases seven JAR jewels that have never before appeared at auction; the iconic Salvador Dalí 'Étoile De Mer' brooch (estimate: $1,000,000 – 1,500,000) from an Important Private Collection and formerly from the collection of Rebekah Harkness, recently exhibited in the American Museum of Natural History in New York City in 2021; and a Van Cleef & Arpels diamond ring (estimate $50,000 – 70,000) and a Van Cleef & Arpels diamond flower brooch ($10,000 – 15,000) formerly from the Collection of Greta Garbo.

The sale will also feature The Magnificent Jewels of Anne Eisenhower, a stunning assemblage of jewelry from the most important houses. The top lot of the sale is the iconic ‘Jarretière’ ruby and diamond bracelet, acquired by Marlene Dietrich in 1937 from Van Cleef & Arpels (estimate $2,500,000 – 4,500,000). Additional highlights include a variety of magnificent jewels, including: a rare Art Deco Diamond and Multi-Gem ‘Moonlight Rose’ Bracelet, by Tiffany & Co. (Estimate $500,000 – 700,000), an Art Deco Diamond Bangle Bracelet, by Cartier (Estimate $150,000 – 250,000) as well as an Important D color Diamond Ring of 20.54 carats (Estimate $1,200,000 – 1,800,000).

CHRISTIE’S MAGNIFICENT JEWELS | 7 JUNE | VIEWING
Friday 2 June at 10.00 am-6.00 pm
Saturday 3 June at 10.00 am-5.00 pm
Sunday 4 June at 10.00 am-5.00 pm
Monday 5 June at 10.00 am-6.00 pm
Tuesday 6 June at 10.00 am-5.00 pm