Christie’s New York will offer six diamonds valued at more than $1 million at its April 13 auction of Magnificent Jewels. The sale is led by “The Fuchsia Rose,” an 8.82-carat fancy intense purple-pink diamond that is potentially internally flawless. The modified pear-shaped gem is mounted on a platinum ring flanked by two colorless diamonds of 6.1 carats. Its estimate is $4 million - $6 million.
Colored and colorless diamonds make up the top 11 lots in this sale at Christie’s Rockefeller Center headquarters. Other standouts include:
- An 11.63-carat fancy blue diamond with VS1 clarity mounted on a platinum and 18k white gold. The cut-cornered rectangular modified brilliant-cut gem is flanked by two white diamonds. Its estimate is $2.5 million - $3.5 million;
- An internally flawless 21.05-carat round brilliant cut diamond with E color and excellent cut, polish and symmetry. Its estimate is $1.4 million - $2.4 million;
- A 2.44-carat fancy intense pink round brilliant-cut diamond with VVS1 clarity mounted on a platinum and yellow gold ring further adorned with pear-shaped diamonds. Its estimate is $1 million - $2 million;
- A 51.28-carat round brilliant-cut diamond with I color, SI1 clarity, and excellent cut, polish and symmetry. Its estimate is $1.3 million - $1.8 million; and
- A 15.31-carat fancy vivid yellow square-cut diamond with an estimate of $1 million - $1.5 million.
Other notable items among the 72 lots include a rare and historic antique Tiffany & Co. diamond and enamel ‘Subway’ pendant-watch with an estimate of $20,000 - $30,000 presented for the first time to the public at auction.
It was a commissioned jewel to commemorate the opening of the New York City subway system. Behind the domed crystal of one side of the watch is soil taken at the groundbreaking of the Subway on March 24, 1900, together with the initials of the original owner, Georgie Annie McDonald, daughter of John B. McDonald who was responsible for overseeing the construction of the city’s first subway line. The engraving along the exterior reads “some of the earth from the first shovelful taken out by Mayor Van Wyck at the breaking of ground for the first underground railway.”
Rounding out the auction is a dedicated sale titled “Property from the Rockefeller Family,” which includes: a Cartier Art Deco sapphire and diamond bracelet ($60,000 - $80,000); a Van Cleef & Arpels sapphire and diamond ring ($100,000 - $150,000); and an Art Deco emerald bead, diamond and multi-gem necklace ($100,000 - $150,000).
Public viewing will be held at Christie’s New York, April 8 – 12.
