NEW YORK, NY.- Today’s sale of Magnificent Jewels at Sotheby’s achieved $65 million / CHF 62.5 million / HK$507.7 million, marking a new record total for a jewelry auction at the Company’s New York salesroom. The auction was led by an extraordinary 100.20-carat ‘Perfect Diamond’ in a classic Emerald-cut, which sold for $22.1 million / CHF 21.2 million / HK$172.3 million ($220,459 per carat). This result garners several superlatives for the D color, Internally Flawless, type IIa stone: it marks the largest perfect diamond with a classic Emerald-cut ever sold at auction; the first 100+ carat perfect diamond sold at auction in New York; and the highest price for any colorless diamond auctioned in New York.

Lisa Hubbard, Chairman, North & South America, Sotheby’s International Jewelry Division, commented: “This diamond is exceptional in every sense of the word, and we were thrilled to see it achieve such a strong result. The stone captivated people around the world throughout our extensive travels this spring, but it was a particular privilege to offer it at our New York headquarters. Including today’s result, only six perfect diamonds weighing over 100 carats have sold at auction in the last 25 years – a testament to the incredible rarity of these stones. Sotheby’s sold five of those spectacular diamonds, including sales in Geneva, Hong Kong, and now New York.”

Gary Schuler, Head of Sotheby’s Jewelry Department in New York, said: “It was encouraging to see the impact of private collectors throughout the day, including at the highest end of our sale: eight of our top ten pieces were purchased by private individuals. Our strong results spanned each of the categories that have driven the auction market in recent seasons: top-quality diamonds and gemstones, signed and historic jewels, and pieces with notable provenance. Online bidding and buying also contributed heavily to our record total, including the second-highest price of the day: $3.3 million for a magnificent 22.30 carat DIF diamond ring.”

HIGHLY-IMPORTANT DIAMONDS

Property of a Prominent Collector
A Magnificent Platinum and Diamond Ring
Oval-shaped diamond of 22.30 carats, D color, Internally Flawless, type IIa
Sold to an online bidder for $3.3 million / CHF 3.1 million / HK$25.2 million

A Magnificent Platinum, 18 Karat Gold, Fancy Purplish Pink Diamond and Sapphire Ring
A beautiful color combination of an unmodified pear-shaped Fancy Purplish Pink diamond weighing 6.24 carats, set in a unique mounting with two cushion-cut Kashmir sapphires
Sold for $2.4 million / CHF 2.3 million / HK$18.8 million

CELEBRATED PROVENANCE
The Baron de Rothschild Necklace
An Elegant and Rare Platinum, Emerald, Sapphire, Lapis Lazuli and Diamond Pendant-Necklace
Designed by Charles Jacqueau for Cartier, Paris, circa 1924
Sold for $2.6 million / CHF 62.5 million / HK$20.2 million
This Mughal Empire-style necklace was exhibited recently at the Denver Art Museum exhibition ‘Brilliant: Cartier in the 20th Century’. Created by Cartier’s chief designer Charles Jacqueau, the blue and green necklace – highlighted by three colored stones carved with Mughal floral motifs – was acquired by Baron Eugene de Rothschild in 1924 for his new American wife Catherine.

Property from a Private Collection
An 18 Karat Gold, Platinum, Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Brooch
Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co., France
Designed as a stylized flower, this brooch dating from the 1960s and set with a sapphire of approximately 17 carats, was formerly in the collection of Mrs. Paul Mellon.
Sold to an online bidder for $1 million / CHF 990,000 / HK$8 million

MAJOR GEMSTONES
From the Estate of Mary Lily Kenan Flagler, Thence by Descent
The Flagler Emerald
An Important Platinum, Emerald and Diamond Pendant
This exquisite 35.02 carat Classic Colombian emerald jewel belonged to the wife of American industrialist Henry Flagler
Sold for $2.8 million / CHF 2.7 million / HK$21.6 million

A Superb Platinum, Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Cartier, New York, circa 1915
The cushion-cut sapphire weighing 11.90 carats, accompanied by Gubelin Gem Lab Report stating that the stone ‘possesses a richly saturated and homogenous color, combined with a high degree of transparency, and a finely proportioned cut’
Sold to an online bidder for $1.9 million / CHF 1.9 million / HK$15.1 million