NEW YORK, 17 April 2017 – Sotheby’s annual spring auction of Magnificent Jewels in New York will be held on 25 April 2017. The sale features a wonderful array of historic designs by Louis Comfort Tiffany, JAR and Suzanne Belperron, alongside jewels with exceptional provenance. The sale is distinguished further by signed and iconic jewels from renowned design houses including Harry Winston, Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and Bulgari., as well as exceptional diamonds of every color.

Distinguished Provenance
A highlight of the spring season is the Magnificent and Legendary Stotesbury Emerald (estimate $800,000/1.2 million) whose exceptional size, extraordinary shape and rich hue alone distinguishes it from the rest of its class. However, enclosed in this hexagon-shaped, Colombian emerald weighing approximately 34.40 carats is an extensive history spanning the 20th century and including: three renowned American jewelry collectors – Evalyn Walsh McLean, Eva Stotesbury and May Bonfils Stanton – two renowned design houses, a bitter court battle and, last but not least, The Hope Diamond. The whereabouts of this legendary emerald have been unknown since 1971, when it last appeared at auction at Sotheby’s. The stone’s history was rediscovered through careful research and scholarship.

DISCOVER THE EXTENSIVE HISTORY OF THE STOTESBURY EMERALD ON SOTHEBYS.COM
Additionally, the sale will offer an Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond Brooch by Cartier (estimate $200/300,000), formerly in the collection of Mrs. John E. Rovensky. Mrs. Rovensky, formerly Mrs. Morton F. Plant, participated in one of the most iconic jewelry transactions of all time when her first husband traded in his corner lot on Fifth Avenue for two strands of natural pearls from Cartier in 1917. Stationed on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 52nd Street, the lot remains the New York home for the iconic brand.

A Citrine and Diamond Necklace and Bracelet by Sterlé (estimate $175/225,000) formerly from the collection of Queen Narriman of Egypt and three jewels by Cartier and Boucheron from the Collection of Frederica Vanderbilt Webb, an American heiress, are also amongst the many pieces in the sale with histories as glittering as the jewels themselves.

ILLUSTRIOUS JEWELS BY LOUIS COMFORT TIFFANY
A strong selection of Art Nouveau jewels is led by an important private collection of jewels by Louis Comfort Tiffany, comprising 10 pieces that are representative of designer’s unique and signature work. Tiffany strove to elevate jewelry to fine art. His use of naturalistic forms, intricate details and vibrantly colored gemstones allowed each piece to hold its own as a completed artistic statement. The vivid colors of the gemstones are delicately balanced allowing them to catch and transform light in a way that is informed by his mastery of the stained glass medium.

MAGNIFICENT DIAMONDS
The April sale offers an extensive selection of colorless and colored diamonds of every hue, led by an Extraordinary Pair of Diamond Earrings (estimate $4.5/5.5 million) set with two square emerald-cut diamonds, both over 20 carats, D color, Internally Flawless, Type lla with Excellent Polish and Symmetry.

Also highlighting the sale is a very Rare Fancy Vivid Green Diamond Ring (estimate $1/1.5 million). Aside from the color red, green is by far the scarcest body of color found in fancy colored diamonds. Only a handful of natural green diamonds have been auctioned in the past 30 years, this Fancy Vivid Green diamond, weighing 1.64 carats, which is uncommonly large for a green diamond, presents a unique opportunity for collectors to acquire an exceptional gem.

The sale will offer several blue diamonds of various hues including an Exquisite Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond and Diamond Ring (estimate $700,000/1 million), an Important Fancy Gray-Blue Diamond and Diamond Ring (estimate $750,000/1 million) and a Fancy Intense Blue Diamond and Diamond Ring (estimate 200/300,000). A Fancy Deep Yellow Diamond and Diamond Ring (estimate $150/200,000) is also on offer.