sothebys – Page 13

On the Block: Tiaras at Sotheby’s

05.17.2016 by The Court Jeweller // Leave a Comment

One of the tiaras being sold at Sotheby’s (Photo: Sotheby’s)

Today in Geneva, Sotheby’s will be offering four tiaras as a part of their Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale. Here’s a look at each of the pieces…

Photo: Sotheby’s

Lot #151: A Seed Pearl and Diamond Tiara, ca. 1915. According to the lot notes, this tiara is currently the property of “a lady.” The notes describe the tiara as “of open work, foliate and floral design, millegrain-set with circular-, single-cut and rose diamonds, further highlighted with seed pearls.” The tiara is estimated to sell for between $28,900 and $39,250.

Photo: Sotheby’s

Lot #270: A Sapphire and Diamond Tiara. The piece is French-made, signed by “M. Gerard.” The lot notes don’t give an estimated creation date; they describe the tiara as “decorated with scroll motifs, set with oval sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds.” The lot also includes a coordinating pair of sapphire and diamond ear clips:

Photo: Sotheby’s

The tiara and earrings are both being offered from “an important private collection.” The entire set has an estimated sale price of between $70,200 and $101,100.

Photo: Sotheby’s

Lot #295: A Natural Pearl and Diamond Tiara, ca. late 19th century. This sparkler is described in the lot notes as “of foliate and scroll design, set with pear-, cushion-shaped, circular-, single-cut and rose diamonds, and a button shaped natural pearl … surmounted by seven detachable drop shaped natural pearls.” The piece also separates into “eight jewels,” three of which can be worn as brooches. It comes with a fitted case. The piece is also being sold by “an important private collector,” and it’s estimated to bring between $258,000 and $465,000.

Photo: Sotheby’s

Lot #389: An Emerald and Diamond Tiara, ca. 1910. Lot notes describe this intricate tiara as “of floral, foliate and garland design, millegrain-set with step-cut emeralds, circular-, single-cut and cushion-shaped diamonds.” The emeralds are Colombian; the tiara was made in France. It’s being sold by “a European noble family.” (It’s similar in design to the tiara owned by the Harcourts, but I don’t recognize the piece.) The piece is expected to fetch between $206,000 and $413,000.

Which royal ladies would you like to see wearing each of these tiaras-for-sale?

On the Block: The Lesedi La Rona Diamond

05.05.2016 by The Court Jeweller // Leave a Comment

The Lesedi La Rona Diamond, which will be auctioned in June (Photo: DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)

At the end of June, a once-in-a-lifetime jewelry auction will take place in London. Sotheby’s will offer the Lesedi La Rona Diamond, the second-largest gem-quality diamond ever discovered, for sale in a standalone auction. (The largest gem-quality diamond ever discovered? Still the Cullinan. Before it was cut, that diamond weighed a whopping 3100 carats. This one is about a third of that size.)

Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The diamond was discovered in November in the Karowe mine in Botswana. The mine is owned by the Canadian-based Lucara Diamond corporation. A contest was held in Botswana to name the 1,109 carat gem. The winning name, “Lesedi La Rona,” means “our light.”

Photo: DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images

The diamond’s estimated auction price is $70 million. The gem is still in its rough state, so whoever purchases it will have to undertake the massive project of cutting and polishing the stone. To give you an idea of the massive size of the diamond, many outlets have been comparing it to a tennis ball. Can you imagine???

Here’s video from the press preview, where you can see the uncut diamond already managing to sparkle a bit.

On The Block: Jewels of Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire

01.25.2016 by The Court Jeweller // Leave a Comment

Embed from Getty Images

Sotheby’s in London has released a “first look” at an important upcoming sale: the auction of a number of the possessions of the late Duchess of Devonshire. Here’s a look at some of the jewelry items that will be offered in the March sale.