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The jewels of the Tsarina at auction

Published on April 22, 2019

Smeraldo taglio a pera appartenuto alla duchessa Vladimir di Russia

There is also a necklace with a large emerald that belonged to the Tsarina Catherine the Great among the Magnificent Jewels at Christie’s auction ♦ ︎

Tsar jewels have always been a myth. And in Geneva, on May 15th, among the jewels on sale at Christie’s auction, the necklace that belonged to Catherine the Great of Russia stands out, with a pear-shaped emerald. It has belonged to the Russian imperial collection for over a century. The emerald originally weighed over 107 carats and had a rectangular cut.

Collana di diamanti e smeraldo appartenuto a Caterina la Grande di Russia

When Catherine of Russia died in 1796, her jewels were passed on to her children. And Tsar Alexander II gave the stone to the Duchess Mary of Mecklenburg-Schwerin when she married her son, Grand Duke Vladimir, in 1874. Cartier bought the stone from the Russian royal family in 1927 and in 1954 cut the pear-shaped emerald to increase its brightness. The emerald was then added to a diamond necklace purchased by the Payne Whitney family and, later, by John D. Rockefeller. The estimate is between 2.5 and 3.5 million dollars.

For fans of blue-blooded jewels, the auction also includes the wedding gift tiara of Federico Francesco IV, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin to his wife Princess Alexandra of Hanover and Cumberland. The tiara, made in 1904, consists of nine graduated pear-shaped aquamarines and rose-cut diamonds. The jewel is not signed, but is attributed to Fabergé.

Diadema con acquamarine appartenuto alla gran duchessa Alexandra di Macklenburg-Schwerin

That of the zarina is not the only great jewel that stands out in the catalog. There is, for example, a rare series of 110 natural pearls: this one is also 2.5-3.5 million. Furthermore, under the lens there is also an unmounted colored diamond of 118.05 carats which was exhibited in the auction rooms of Christie’s in London, on 9 April 2019. The diamond is estimated between 2.5 and 3, 5 million dollars. Another necklace, of emeralds and diamonds, with a less adventurous history is estimated at 1.5-2.5 million dollars.

Curious is the story of the Jonker Diamonds emerald-cut stone signed by Harry Winston. It is one of the diamonds made from a diamond, called Jonker, found on 17 January 1934, of an extraordinary weight of 726 carats. She was portrayed in a photo with the actress Shirley Temple as a child. The Jonker was the fourth largest quality diamond ever brought to light. The stone was cut into 13 pieces. The Jonker V, the diamond for sale, weighs 25.27 carats. Federico Graglia

L'originale Jonker tenuto in mano da Shirley Temple bambina — L’originale Jonker tenuto in mano da Shirley Temple bambina

Collana a frange con diamanti dell'Ottocento — Collana a frange con diamanti dell’Ottocento

Rockfeller emerald sold to Harry Winston

Published on June 23, 2017

Showroom

L'anello con lo smeraldo Rockfeller, venduto per 5,5 milioni di dollari

The Rockefeller emerald sold to Harry Winston for $ 5.5 million from Christie’s ♦ ︎
The green gem with a story behind, the 18.04-carat emerald mounted on a ring, which for many years was owned by the Rockefeller family, was auctioned for $ 5.5 million (you can find the story here). Christie’s auction in New York also marked price record for each carat ($ 305,000) for an emerald sold in auction. The presale estimate was between $ 4 and $ 6 million: the price therefore don’t has get the maximum forecast, but went close. The emerald ring is now property by a famous Maison, the American Harry Winston, who had decided to conquer the gem at any price. The previous record belonged to an emerald mounted on a brooch of Bulgari and belonged to Elizabeth Taylor, sold for 6.5 million, that is, $ 280,000 per carat. What makes Rockfeller emerald is particularly valuable is its color, typical of the stones extracted in Colombia. American experts describe emerald as exceptional, with “an unusual combination of size, origin, lack of treatment and quality factors that contribute favorably to its rarity and desirability.”
Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction ended, in any case, with a total sale of over $ 26 million. The results above the estimates, says Christie’s, have been reached for jewelery from a private collection and signed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and Tiffany & Co., including a green tourmaline, diamond and gold necklace, a nephrite, amethyst and sapphire necklace and a pendant necklace with different enamels with a large sapphire drop. Stellar results were made by a group of Cartier Art Deco crates accessories, including a lacquered silver box ($ 235,000) and a Cartier tiara with pearls, coral and diamonds. Federico Graglia

Collana con pendente firmata Louis Comfort Tiffany, con tormalina e diamanti

Box di Cartier in argento, diamanti e lacca

Collier multi gemma di Louis Comfort Tiffany. Venduta per 271.000 dollari

Collier di Louis Comfort Tiffany con nefrite, ametista, diamanti. Venduta per 247.000 dollari

Tiara di Cartier in corallo, diamanti, perle. Venduta per 775.000 dollari

Anello con raro diamante verde, diamanti bianchi e rosa. Venduto per 1,24 milioni di dollari

Collier di Van Cleef & Arpels in oro e diamanti

Rockfeller Emerald is on sale

Published on May 13, 2017

news

Il Rockfeller Emerald montato su anello di platino e diamanti

A superb ring with a superb emerald that belonged to Rockfeller for sale by Christie’s ♦
May is the month of the emerald. And that this stone is matched to this time of the year is also demonstrated by Christie’s choice, announcing the sale of a magnificent ring with emerald. The auction of Rockefeller Emerald in New York will take place on June 20th. The emerald ring is valued at $ 4 and $ 6 million, and was owned by a John D. Rockefeller, Jr., who bought it in 1930.
The stone was, however, set in the center of a brooch and donated to his wife, Abby Aldrich. The green stone, weighing 18.04 carats, in 1948 was inherited by his youngest son, David Rockefeller, who gave it to the jeweler Raymond Yard for a new frame. Turned into platinum ring with diamonds, the jewel was subsequently sold to an important American collector who acquired it more than a decade ago. According to Tom Burstein, by Christie’e, “The Rockefeller Emerald is one of the best gems to offer on auction. The beauty and the superior quality correspond only to its historical name.” Federico Graglia

Abby Aldrich con il giovane David Rockefeller