Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels Auction

Christie’s is known for their fabulous auctions featuring some the finest jewels and items on the planet.  However, the upcoming event, which will be held on May 16th at the Four Seasons Hotel des Borgues might just put it over the top. The sale is scheduled to hold 340 lots estimated to rake in over $50 million. The May auction will be held between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. with viewings available in Geneva between May 11th and May 16th. Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels Auction will have many unusual items including a pair of pear-shaped Harry Winston diamond earring, a colored diamond ring, famous jewelry, which once belonged to Mexican movie icon Marie Felix, a collection of Cartier cats, a diamond tiara, brooches, sapphire rings, and much more.

The first item is a 6.60 carat, Fancy Intense Blue diamond. This rectangular-cut, Internally Flawless stone is flanked with two trapezoidal-cut white diamonds, one weighing 0.91 carats and the other 0.90 carats. Auction results of fancy color diamonds have been dramatically increasing over the past decade. Furthermore, since some of the prices paid for Fancy Intense Blue colored diamonds, especially with an IF clarity, have been so high, it is no surprise that the estimated price is $5.5 million. 

Celebrity jeweler Harry Winston has the top lot at the auction, which will feature pear-shaped diamond earrings weighing 16.21 and 15.67 carats. The diamonds, which are D/VVS2 and potentially flawless, are believed to bring in $4 million.

Another fascinating jewel is one with a bit of a story. Richard Burton once presented the 12.6-carat fancy brown-orange diamond ring to the legendary Elizabeth Taylor during their time together in Africa. Though Taylor turned down the ring, insisting the money should be spent on building a hospital in Botswana instead, it still remains a magnificent piece, which is worth between $600,000 and $800,000.

Italian jeweler Filipo Chiappe had a Belle Epoque old-cut diamond tiara specially commissioned along with many other remarkable jewels for the wedding of Count Carlo Raggio and Marchioness Tea Spinola in 1909. The tiara is worth between $320,000 and $530,000. Filipo Chiappe was the appointed court jeweler to the Savoy House and the Italian Royal Family’s official supplier in 1913, making him one of the most important Italian jewelers of his time.

Since the panther has become an iconic Cartier motif, due to the commissioned diamond panther brooch in in the late 1940s by the Duke of Windsor, Cartier designed an unbelievable tiger brooch in the 1960s. The brooch, which is part of the “Big Cat” series features diamonds, colored diamonds, including yellow diamonds, onyx, and emeralds. The tiger hangs from a baguette-cut diamond ring, and has yellow diamonds and onyx covering its body, tail, and head.  The eyes are shiny green emeralds. This fascinating piece is worth between $290,000 and $380,000.

A set of diamond, enamel, and gold jewelry, which once belonged to Mexican star Maria Felix will be part of a display dedicated to Indian jewelry. The set includes a brooch, a bracelet, a necklace, and a pair of modern ear pendants. They date back to the 19th century. Offered at a single lot, the set is worth between $1 million and $1.5 million.

Some other unique items include a diamond flower brooch and a sapphire ring.  The former is a flower-shaped diamond brooch worth between $2.5 million and $3 million. The latter is a 33.07-carat cushion-shaped Kashmir sapphire ring worth between $2.5 million and $3 million.

With so many sensational items, it will be hard for an auction-goer to decide which is the most beautiful of them all.  Nevertheless, the event is sure to be a success and many collectors will soon be incredibly happy.

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