NEW YORK, NY.- Following on the heels of Christie's blockbuster $78 million jewelry auction in Geneva last week, Christie's announces highlights of its upcoming sale of Important Jewels on June 14 in New York. This annual pre-summer event caps the spring season of Christie’s major jewelry auctions in New York, Geneva, Hong Kong, Paris, and London, and features over 120 individual items, including a diverse array of colored and colorless diamonds, rare gemstones, and signed designer jewels. Estimates range from $2,000 up to $2.5 million, and the total sale is expected to achieve $8 million.

“Our June New York sale has become a favorite end-of-season auction for top-quality signed jewels from great private collections,” said Rahul Kadakia, Head of Jewelry for Christie’s Americas. “This year, we are pleased to offer a wealth of beautifully-designed statement jewels from the top jewelry houses, including BVLGARI, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, and Verdura. As always, the sale will include a carefully curated selection of spectacular diamonds and gemstones, including large colored and colorless gems that are sure to inspire interest from collectors and dealers alike.”

In keeping with Christie's strong track record of presenting the most exceptional diamonds and precious gemstones for sale, the top lot of the June 14 auction is a magnificent E color, oval-cut diamond ring of 46.51 carats (pictured page one, center). The main stone is flanked on either side by single carat D color, pear-shaped diamonds and mounted in platinum. Sourced from the collection of a distinguished lady, this stunning ring is estimated at $2,500,000-3,500,000 and will be offered as the auction's grand finale.

Additional diamond and gemstone highlights of Christie’s Important Jewels sale include:

• An Important Diamond Ring
Set with a D-color pear-shaped diamond of 10.01 carats, flanked on either side by a pear-shaped diamond of 1.02 carats, mounted in platinum
Estimate: $1,100,000-1,500,000

• A Pair of Fancy Yellow Diamond Ear Pendants Set with modified square-cut fancy yellow diamonds of 17.77 and 17.80 carats, mounted in platinum and gold
Estimate: $600,000-800,000

• A Superb Diamond Ring
Set with a square emerald-cut G-color diamond, of 10.42 carats, the shoulders set with circular-cut diamonds, mounted in platinum
Estimate: $300,000- 500,000

• A Uniquely-Designed Diamond Ring
Set with a marquise-cut D-color diamond of 5.30 carats with a sculpted platinum band set with a marquise-cut diamond terminal
Estimate: $250,000- 350,000

• A Pair of Diamond Ear Pendants
Each suspending a D-color pear-shaped diamond of 3.51 and 3.40 carats, from a pear-shaped diamond link and pear-shaped diamond surmount, all mounted in platinum
Estimate: $250,000- 350,000

• A Diamond Riviere Necklace
Featuring 67 graduated circular-cut diamonds ranging from D to F color, in sizes ranging from 0.73 to 3 carats, mounted in platinum
Estimate: $250,000- 350,000

• A Fancy Light Yellow Diamond Ring
Set with a square emerald-cut fancy light yellow diamond of 19.22 carats, flanked on either side by a triangular-cut diamond and mounted in platinum
Estimate: $200,000- 300,000

• A Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Set with a cushion-cut sapphire of 22.19 carats, within a two-tiered circular-cut diamond surround and mounted in platinum
Estimate: $100,000- 150,000

• A Ruby and Diamond Ring by David Webb
Set with a cushion-cut ruby of 19.55 carats with a circular-cut diamond surround, mounted in platinum and 18k white gold
Estimate: $100,000- 150,000

• An Emerald and Diamond Ring by Cartier
Set with a pear-shaped emerald of 8.37 carats and flanked on either side by a trillion-cut diamond, mounted in platinum and 18k gold
Estimate: $35,000- 55,000

Signed Jewels from the Leading Houses
Signed creations by world-renowned design houses such as BVLGARI, Cartier, Verdura, David Webb, and Tiffany & Co. continue to command strong prices at Christie’s jewelry auctions around the world. Each of these esteemed firms has their own signature style of design and craftsmanship, making their jewels unique and highly sought-after among collectors and dealers – and also very likely to retain or increase in value over the long term. Highlights of the signed jewels section of Christie’s Important Jewels sale include:

• A Pair of Diamond, Onyx and Emerald “Panther” Ear Clips, by Cartier
Each designed as a pavé-set diamond panther, with black onyx spots and pear-shaped emerald eyes, and a black enamel nose
Estimate: $10,000-15,000

• A Diamond, Ruby, Onyx and Gold Cuff, by Verdura
Set with cabochon rubies and circular-cut diamonds, mounted in gold, signed Verdura
Estimate: $20,000-30,000

• A Multi-Gem, Diamond, Enamel and Gold Bracelet, by David Webb Designed as a hinged bangle with two black and white enamel tigers with cabochon ruby or emerald eyes, signed David Webb
Estimate: $15,000-20,000

• A Diamond Necklace, by Tiffany & Co.
Designed as an openwork wreath with an undulating vine of circular-cut diamond leaves interwoven with a row of collet-set diamonds, Signed Tiffany & Co.
Estimate: $10,000- 15,000

• An Art-Deco Coral and Diamond Evening Bag
Black velvet purse with a calibré-cut coral and pavé-set diamond clasp and carved coral and diamond twin link chain, from circa 1925
Estimate: $15,000-20,000

• A Pair of Pink and Orange Sapphire Ear Pendants, by Tiffany & Co. Designed as an articulated series of three pink and orange sapphire flower blossoms, suspending five pink sapphire briolettes, Signed Tiffany & Co., France
Estimate: $1,500-2,000

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium.

Auction: New York Jewels June 14 at 10am
Viewing: Christie’s Rockefeller Center Galleries June 11-13, 10am – 6pm