Christie’s Optimistic on Fall Sales After Strong First Half Results

Hard on the heels of a strong first half which saw sales rise 13 percent over last year to $137.5 million, international auction house Christie’s is predicting vigorous results in its fall jewelry season.

The October 19 sale of Magnificent Jewels at Christie’s Rockefeller Center galleries features 400 jewels with estimates ranging from $25,000 to $2,500,000, kicking off the fall sales season. The sale presents rare diamonds, gemstones, and signed jewelry representing each major period of jewelry design.

Leading the diamonds selection for the October auction is a pear-shaped fancy pink, internally flawless diamond of 25.02 carats with a sale estimate of $2.5-$3 million. Equally stunning is a D color, Flawless 33.11 carat pear-shaped diamond pendant.

Christie’s will also showcase a suite of diamond jewelry from Harry Winston. The jewels, from a private collection, are mounted in platinum and represent the legacy of Harry Winston. One highlight of the group is the IF fancy vivid blue diamond ring of 4.24 carats (sale estimate: $1.5-$2 million).

Also included in this collection is an elegant oval-cut diamond line necklace of 73 graduated stones totaling approximately 53 carats (sale estimate: $300,000-$500,000) and a matching bracelet with 17 oval-cut diamonds weighing approximately 35 carats (sale estimate: $280,000-$350,000).

A pair of diamond ear studs round out the group and feature two circular-cut diamonds, each just over 4 carats (sale estimate: $150,000-$200,000). Francois Curiel, Chairman of Christie’s Europe and International Head of Jewelry, says, “The jewelry market continues to strengthen, with international collectors showing a clear preference for diamonds and exceptional jewels with a distinguished provenance. We respond by continually organizing jewelry sales tailored to the market - whether it's New York, Geneva, Hong Kong, or beyond.”

Rare emeralds make up a major part of the gemstones up for sale. A pair of royal Indian emerald bangles in their original Mughal settings is one of the most historically important pieces in this category (estimate: $800,000-$1.2 million). The bangles are each set with 23 square-cut Indian emeralds mounted in simple gold settings.

Believed to have come from an important Indian royal family, they are among the few Indian jewels not taken apart for their gems. Another highlight is a superb fluted emerald bead necklace of exceptional color weighing approximately 430 carats (estimate: $600,000–$800,000). Rounding out the important gemstone selection is an extremely rare cushion-shaped sapphire weighing over 100 carats (estimate: $350,000-500,000).