Sotheby’s New York December 7, 2022, Magnificent Jewels Sale promises to be a memorable one for more than one reason, chief among which is that the sale will be led by the famouus “Incomparable Diamond” reborn as the Golden Canary Diamond, the largest Internally Flawless diamond ever graded by the GIA, a 303.3-carat, Internally Flawless, fancy-deep brownish-yellow, pear modiified brilliant-cuit diamond. Among other rarities highlighting the sale are a 10.67-carat emerald-cut Fancy Gray Diamond mounted on a ring by Hemmerle, two diamonds from the De Beers Exceptional Blue Collection, a 3.24-carat Fancy Vivid Blue and a 2.08 Fancy Intense Blue, both fashioned as attractive cushion cuts, and several superb, Brazilian Alexandrites. Among other top-quality Colored Stones are a 12.23-carat Burmese Ruby, a 12.64-carat Classic Colombian Emerald, and a 16.46-carat Kasmir blue sapphire of rare vibrancy. White diamonds ranging from old antique cuts to perfectly proportioned modern cuts are also included led by a 51.52-carat cushion-cut by Harry Winston.
As in every other auction signed jewels are also given pride of place and includes mystery-set jewels by Van Cleef & Arpels, as well as modernist designs by Hemmerle and Belperon and antique jewels by Castellani, Louis Comfort Tiffany and others.
Another important aspect of this Magnificent Jewels Sale is that Sotheby’s Auction House, with a view of marking and celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb and paying a tribute to the contributioon of ancient Egyptian culture to modern civilisation, has assembled a collection of Egyptian- Revival Jewels for sale, by renowned manufacturers such as Castellani, Émile-Dêsire, Lacloche, Lawrence F.W., Louis Comfort Tiffany, Philippe and Verdura. According to Sotheby’s each jewel of this collection captures the timelessness of ancient Egypt while also reflecting the character of the specific time and culture in which it was made.
A total of 161 Lots will be on offer at the auction, which was preceded by Highlights of the Sale being taken on exhibition, around significant locations around the World, such as Dubai from September 26 to 28; Hong Kong from October 2 to 6; Singapoire from October 20 to 21; Taipei from October 26 to 27; Geneva from November 4 to 9 and Los Angeles from November 17 to 20. Exhibitions at New York will be held from November 30 to to December 6, from 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM on all days. The Live Auction will be held in two Sessions, the First Session consisting of Lots 1 to 85 being held on Wednesday 07 December 2022, from 8.30 PM onwards and Sessioin 2 consisting of Lots 86 to 161 taking place from 12.30 AM onwards on Thursday 08 December 2022.
Top Lot of the Sale as mentioned earlier is Lot 76 – The Golden Canary Diamond, recut from the famous Incomparable Diamond, with an estimate of USD15 – 20 million. The newly recut diamond is a pear-shaped, internally flawless, fancy deep brownish-yellow diiamond, weighing 303.10 carats. GIA Report No,2173621573 dated November 24, 2021 states that the diamond is fancy deep brownish-yellow, with Internally Flawless Clarity.
The Lot is further accompanied by a letter from GIA stating that the diamond is the largest Flawless or Internally Flawless, and largest pear-shaped diamond graded by the laboratory to date. A GIA Monograph also attests to the rarity and importance of the stone. Weighing over 303 carats, the Golden Canary is one of the largest cut diamonds in the world and the largest flawless or internally flawless diamond ever graded by the GIA Fancy yellow diamonds make up just 0.006% of all diamonds mined, and of these, only a tiny percentage will be internally flawless.
At 303.10 carats, the Golden Canary remains the largest internally flawless diamond in the world. As it rightfully claims its spot in the pantheon of exceptional diamonds, Sotheby’s says, It is honored to help write the next chapter for this incomparable, reborn gem.
The next highlight of the Sale is Lot 55 – An Exceptional Unmounted Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond, one of the eight diamonds from the De Beers Exceptional Blue Collection, recovered in 2020 from the historic Cullinan Mine in South Africa, with an estimate of USD 5 to 8 million.
The Exceptional Unmounted Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond is a cushion modified brilliant-cut, Internally Flawless, Fancy Vivid Blue diamond, weighing 3.24 carats.
GIA report no. 5212772536 dated October 12, 2021 states that the diamond is Fancy Vivid Blue, Natural Color and Internally Flawless clarity. A letter from the GIA states that the diamond has been determined to be Type IIb.
The next hiighlight of the sale, based on estimates iis Lot 155 – A Magnificent Diamond Ring by Harry Winston, with a pre-sale estimate of USD 3 to 5 million. The Ring, which is the property from a Highly important Collection, is a size 6 Platinum ring, double claw-set wiith a cushion modified brilliant-cut, F-Color, Internally Flawless diamond weighing 51.52 carats, flanked by two shield-shaped white diamonds on the shoulders of the ring, together weighing 1.80 carats, F-G Color and VVS – VS Clerity.
GIA report no. 14770283 accompanying the Lot, dated January 3, 2013 states that the cushion modified brilliant-cut diamond is F color and Internally Flawless.
The next highlight of the Sale is also another white diamond bearing Lot No. 64 and titled An Exquisite Diamond Ring, with an estimate of USD 2 to 3 million. This Lot, also a property from a Highly Important Collection is a Size 6½ Platinum Ring stamped PT950 on the interior of the shank of the ring, and set with an emerald-cut diamond weighing 25.03 carats.
GIA report no. 6193449993 accompanying the Lot, states that the diamond is D-Colot, Flawless, with Excellent Polish and Symmetry. A letter from GIA states that the diamond has been determined to be Type IIa.
Lot 29 – A Rare and Important Fancy Gray Diamond Ring by Hemmerle – is the next hiighlight of the sale, with an estimate of USD 1.5 to 2.0 million.
The Lot which is a property from an Important Detroit Collection, is a size 4, Iron and 18k gold ring stamped Fe for Iron and 750 Au for 18 karat gold, provided with sizing spheres, is set with an emerald-cut Fancy Gray Diamond weighing 10.67 carats, set at an angle within a matte gray mounting,
GIA Report No. 2135796072 dated October 28, 2015, states that the diamond is Fancy Gray, Natural color and SI-1 clarity.
Gubelin Report No. 11110137 dated December 14, 2011, states that the diamond is Fancy Gray, Natural color and SI1 clarity.
The next highlight of the sale is an Unmounted Diamond bearing Lot No 33 and with a pre-sale estimate of USD 1.3 to 1.8 million.
The unmounted diamond is an oval-shaped modified brilliiant-cut, D-Color, Flawless Clarity diamond with excellent polish and symmetry, weighing 20.28 carats.
GIA Report No. 2211270279 dated March 6, 2021 states that the diamond weighing 20.28 carats is D color, Flawless clarity, with Excellent Polish and Symmetry.
A Letter from GIA annexed to the report states that the diamond has been determined to be Type IaB.
Top highlight of the Colored Gemstone Lots and the Seventh most-valued lot of the Sale is Lot 30 – A Highly Important Ruby and Diamond Ring, with an estimate of USD 1.2 miillion to 1.8 million.
The platinum and 18k gold, size 6 ring is claw-set on an 18k gold mounting with a cushion-shaped ruby weiighing 12.23 carats, flanked by a pair of half-moon shaped white diamonds on the shoulders of the ring. The ruby is medium very slightly pinkish red with strong saturation and slightly included with faint rutile silk and small crystals. The diamonds, estimated to weigh a total of approximately 1.90 carats are approximately F-G color and VVS-VS clarity.
AGL report no. 1127432 dated November 3, 2022 states that the ruby is of Burmese origin, with no indications of heating.
Gübelin report no. 9602449 dated February 14, 1997 states that the ruby is of Burmese origin, with no indications of heating.
