NEW YORK, 25 April 2017 – Propelled by top prices for important diamonds, exceptional colored stones and historic jewels, today’s sale of Magnificent Jewels Including the Legendary Stotesbury Emerald at Sotheby’s achieved $29 million / CHF 28.8 million / HKD $225.6 million, with a strong sell through rate of 85.3%. Below is a look at the jewels that drove today’s robust results.

Gary Schuler, Chairman, North & South America, Sotheby’s International Jewelry Division, commented: “Today’s excellent results spanned each of the categories that have driven the auction market in recent seasons: top-quality diamonds and gemstones, signed and historic jewels, and pieces with notable provenance. We saw spirited bidding from across the globe, vying for the chance to add exquisite and rare diamonds to their collections, including no less than seven bidders competing for a fancy pink diamond pendant from an important private collection.”

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TOP LOTS FROM THE SALE ON SOTHEBYS.COM
MAGNIFICENT DIAMONDS & COLORED STONES
Extraordinary Pair of Platinum and Diamond Earrings Set with two square emerald-cut diamonds weighing 20.29 and 20.02 carats, both D color, Internally Flawless, Excellent Symmetry Sold for $5,300,000 ($131,481 per carat) (estimate: $4.5/5.5 million)

Rare Platinum, Fancy Vivid Green Diamond and Diamond Ring Set with a cut-cornered square mixed-cut Fancy Vivid Green diamond weighing 1.64 carats, SI2 clarity Sold for $1,212,500 ($739,329per carat) (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, is uncommonly large. Important Rose Gold and Fancy Pink Diamond Pendant Set with a pear-shaped Fancy Pink diamond weighing 11.19 carats, Internally Flawless Sold for $2,412,500 ($215,594 per-carat) (estimate $1/2 million) Platinum, Ruby and Diamond Ring, Van Cleef & Arpels Set with a cushion-cut Burmese ruby weighing 4.35 carats Sold for $636,500 ($146,322 per carat) (estimate $300/500,000)

JEWELS WITH CELEBRATED PROVENANCE
Today’s sale offered pieces with histories as glittering as the jewels themselves including the Magnificent and Legendary Stotesbury Emerald and Diamond Ring by Harry Winston which sold for $996,500. Enclosed in this hexagon-shaped, approximately 34.40 carat, Colombian emerald 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 had been unknown since 1971, when it last appeared at auction at Sotheby’s.

Platinum, Sapphire and Diamond Brooch, Cartier, Paris Sold for $262,500

(estimate $200/300,000)
This art deco brooch was 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.

ILLUSTRIOUS JEWELS BY LOUIS COMFORT TIFFANY
Gold, Citrine, Pearl and Enamel Pendant-Necklace, Tiffany & Co., Designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany Sold for $112,500 (estimate $75/100,000)
The sale offered an extensive collection of jewels by Louis Comfort Tiffany, featuring a strong selection of pieces that showcased his most celebrated materials including opals, moonstones, lapis lazuli, sapphires and many more. All 12 jewels on offer were sold, totaling $602,500 – comfortably over their combined high estimate of $561,000.