Monday, November 26, 2012

Eight Exceptional Jewels & Cyber Monday~

 We hope everyone had a enjoyable and very Happy Thanksgiving.
After much celebrating and a lot of overeating the only thing left to do (other than work) is partaking in  Cyber Monday! There’s many great deals, especially us too!
This past week there was a beautiful Auction titled “ Eight Exceptional jewels from a Private Collection” that was held at the Bonham’s auctions House in Hong Kong. These pieces are just incredible; here are the pictured and some of the stories that go along with them.
What sets these jewels apart from other auctions ( and there seems to be quite a few of them!) is that the pieces were created by the famed jeweler to Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor, Van Clef and Arpels. All the items were owned by one owner. Quite the collection!


 This dazzling Emerald and Diamond necklace by Van Cleef and Arpels contains 47.04cts of Emeralds and 70.60cts of Diamonds (412 total) mounted in Platinum and 18k gold, and sold for $1.241 million dollars.

 The Emerald and Diamond necklace is attached in 4 pieces and can be either worn as a two bracelets or a shorter necklace. How versatile!


Since all the items were breathtaking, this one even more so. An exquisite 43.16cts Ceylon Sapphire and Diamond ring sold for 1.59 million dollars. The highest amount paid for a sapphire ring per carat. Bidding for this ring was fierce, and sold for $36,000 per carat! Jacques Arpels traveled to Sri Lanka personally to purchase this stone in 1969.



 Stunning Ribbon styled Ruby and Diamond Bracelet that sold for $466,000. This bracelet was created in 1936 ( according to Van Cleef archives) and is comprise of 107.25cts of rubies and 16.70cts of diamonds.


  A superb Emerald and Diamond brooch 10.43ct Emerald and 11.43cts of Diamonds and is created in 18k gold. This brooch sold for a little less than $300,000. and was created in 1952.



 My personal favorite from the auction, a 22.43cts step cut emerald with diaomd pendant. the diamond weigh approximately 2.20cts each. Sold for $373,000.

 Now take a moment to explore our sale and take a look at our magnificent jewels~

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Astonishing Royal Gems & Jewelry Record Auction!

 Sotheybys had their breath taking auction for Magnificent Jewels in Geneva on November 11th. The results are staggering! This auction is even more noteworthy for the simple fact there are not one, but actually two Royal stones that wereup for sale at this auction. The obvious one The Archduke Joseph Diamond was originally owned by the Archduke Joseph August of Austria (1872-1962), a prince of the Hungarian line of the Hapsburgs. This fabulous diamond is known for being the largest colorless diamond that was sold for 21.5 million dollars. This stone had been in the possesion of Black, Starr and Frost from Phoenix, that is owned by Alfred Molina. His personal collection of colored gems and diamonds is note worthy. The exciting thing about this auction and more importantly about the buyer ( there were actually two anonymous buyers that were bidding for the stone via phone) is that after he/she won the diamond they stated that they are going to donate the diamond to a museum, possibly the Smithsonian? Only seems fitting. And thrilling to be able to see another historic diamond in person.

 A few of the larger colored diamonds didnt find a buyer. How is this possible when they are so incredible? One of the stones that didn't find a new home is an unmounted recatngular fancy vivid yellow diamond weighing a massive 70.19cts is one of them. This stone doesn't have a name, but the color and cut are truly spectacular! I'll take two please~



Not all the royal jewels were sold at the auction. Two that went under the hammer but their price wasn't realized. These two stones are unamed (hopefully they'll be named after they find an owner)

Not only did this auction set a few records for the highest prices paid for stones per carat, but it just goes to show that there is an appreciation for larger gemstones and that the need is still high. Even though there still much unrest in certain parts of Europe. 

From what I had seen of the auction live streaming (the best ever!) it seemed as if the auction went into two different directions. Some of the more extraordinary pieces that were signed by famous jewelry houses and were typically over 100 years old, sold for less than what you'd imagine. while some of the larger gemstone rings surpassed the estimated by 3xs!

Here's a few of the other noteworthy items that were up for auction.


            Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain's Cartier Conch Pearl and Diamond Bracelet  



The Queen wearing the famous bracelet

Queen Victoria Eugenie was the youngest daughter of Queen Victoria and was born at Balmoral Castle in 1887. She is also the grandmother of Juan Carlos, King of Spain. When she passed away in 1969 she left behind a legendary collection of jewels. This was one of the last items to be auctioned and one of the most important of the 600 items. The title on this piece was from a "lady of title" and was offered by an unnamed member of the Spanish Royal family. This bracelet sold for two times the estimated price, fetching a staggering 3.4 million dollars.

Matching 11ct each Burmese Ruby and Diamond pendant ear clips once owned by  Princess Max Egon zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg of Germany 

These incredible earrings garnered 3.5 million dollars. It seems that when there is a story even one of royalty the prices and people eagerly bidding on these items. Interestingly enough of the almost 600 items, 70 of them are from Royal families and descendants. Which families where some of the other items of jewelry came from might come out more later in the news.




Another record breaker at this auction was for the stunning 10.48ct Blue Diamond briollette that sold for *gasp 10.86 million dollars. Purchased by the famous Laurence Graff of Graff Diamonds, he is also known as the "King of Diamonds". Graff is planning on recutting the stone to reveal a more intense blue to about 7 cts.


Seems like sapphire and Emeralds were the best sellers with  high prices. Another showstopper that was sold was a gorgeous 39.00 cts Ceylon Blue sapphire, that is not heat treated and natural. That ring sold for 2.9 million dollars!

Some truly amazing pieces that the world was watching with anticipation! You can see more of the higher priced items here, http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2012/magnificent-jewels-ge1205/lots.list.1.30.pricehl.asc.html#lots.list.1.30.pricehl.asc.html?&_suid=13530135970270038637352175442785

Until then, get ready for Black Friday! What's on YOUR wish list??

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Estee Lauder & Wallis Simpson 47ct Yellow Diamond

 Our hearts and prayers are with the families, business and the many  people effected by Hurricane Sandy that has destroyed the East Coast.  Do what you can to make a difference. Donate Blood at the Red Cross or make a donation, https://www.redcross.org/donate/index.jspdonateStep=2&itemId=prod10002

And with another storm a Nor'Easter that is headed in the same direction, it's an awful time for everyone that has already been touched by this natural disaster.

I'm sure it'll be much appreciated by everyone living in the disaster areas.

Now on to other news.... November 13th make sure to check out the amazing pieces of jewelry up for Auction in Geneva by the impressive auction house Christies. This auction will be different in that the items up for sale will be the Archduke Joseph Diamond which is a 76.92 ct Cushion Cut Diamond and is the most flawless diamond of its size. There is also a few Van Clef Flower pins ( the invisible set rubies ) that if you were following the auction last month one pin sold for over $350,000. I'm sure they're going to be a hot item and that many collectors will be anxiously bidding over them. There's also a few lots of incredible emerald and ruby jewelry that will have every ones tongues wagging! I always enjoy the auctions (watching the live stream is a fast fix!)

Since I'm in love with old jewelry, and larger sized stones and who doesn't enjoy a story that goes along with the jewelry? Then if you're like me the auction that Sothebys is holding on December 5th will sure delight you.

There's going to be more than 35 pieces at the auction with the proceeds going to a foundation that Estee had started in 1994, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Here's a few of the most important items.
 
                         Property from the Collection of Estée Lauder,
                 Fancy Intense Pink Diamond and Diamond Ring
                                 Oscar Heyman & Brothers
                 6.54 carats, Internally Flawless (IF), Natural Color
                                        Estimate $4 – $5 million


                    Property from the Collection of Evelyn H. Lauder
                          Platinum and Diamond Ring, Graff
            22.16 carats, Potentially Flawless, Very Very Slight Inclusions
                                                   VVS1 D Color
                                         Estimate $3 - $4 million  


                        Property from the Collection of Evelyn H. Lauder
            Mystery-Set Ruby and Diamond Brooch, Van Cleef & Arpels
                         4.95 carats, clarity and color designations vary
                                              Estimate $60 -$80,000
          





                           Property from the Collection of Estée Laude
Fancy Intense Yellow Diamond and Diamond PendantNecklace        
                                                 Van Cleef & Arpels
              47.14 carats, Very Slight Inclusions (VS1), Natural Color
                                      Estimate $1.5 – $2 million

Other notable items at the Auction will be some gems from the Late Estee and Evelyn Lauder ( her daughter in law) of the Cosmetics company Estee Lauder. The most recognized name known not only for her extensive jewelry collection (one to rival Elizabeth Taylors) but also for her headline making love story with the King who had abdicated the throne for her. Talk about a love story! Countless movies have documented their romance and lifelong relationship. One item that both of these incredible women woven into the ownership of the magnificent 47.14ct Fancy Intense Yellow Diamond. When Wallis Simpson had owned the stone she had the diamond set in a ring setting. What a ring that must of been!

The stone was later refashioned as a diamond pendant necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels for Estee Lauder in 1978. When the Duchess of Windsors jewelry collection was auctioned in Sothebys Geneva auction one item missing was the historic 47.14 Yellow Diamond.  It was later revealed that Estee Lauder who was a close friend of the Duke and Duchess had purchased the stone from the Duchess' lawyer in the mid 70's. With us just seeing a few of the majestic items up for auction, I would think that the items will far surpass the auction estimates.

I never get tired of seeing the historic jewelry that has been under lock and key or only seen at large society events.

And speaking of events JR Colombian Emerald will be attending the Gem and Bead Expo at the South Florida Fairgrounds on November 19th.

 For all of us in Florida we have welcomed the beginning of Fall with much cooler temperatures and beautiful cloudless days. It's a great time of the year to be thankful for what you have (Thanksgiving is on 11/23 ) and of course Black Friday follows the day after Thanksgiving. And now is the time to start planning your Christmas wish list, here's a few thousand ideas http://stores.ebay.com/JR-COLOMBIAN-EMERALDS/_i.html?rt=nc&_sid=6818541&_sticky=1&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14&_sop=10&_sc=1