The major jewelry auctions are back in Europe. In Geneva on May 14, Sotheby’s is hosting the Magnificent and Noble Jewels. The auction will feature a selection of large signed and vintage pieces from private collections, some of which belong to famous people. Among the most notable pieces is the Graff Vivid Yellow, a 100.09-carat daffodil-colored diamond ring. Another star of the day will be the Victory diamond, named in honor of the Allied victory in World War II. Among the colored gems, an important 121-carat Burmese sapphire and a 12.46-carat Burmese ruby stand out. Some of the jewels come from famous collectors, such as those belonging to Picha-Eisenstein, a close friend of Suzanne Belperron, a French stylist and designer, one of the most talented and influential jewelry creators of the 20th century. According to David Bennett, Chairman of Sotheby’s Switzerland and Europe and Middle East Jewellery Department, “This is a very interesting and varied sale, with coloured gemstones, magnificent white diamonds and a wide selection from many private jewellery collections, some of which have high provenance. Of particular interest to the collector will be the group of jewellery by Suzanne Belperron, which was collected by one of her close friends, Mary Picha-Eisenstein. Also of interest is a small but fine private collection of art nouveau jewellery by the French goldsmith René Lalique.”
