GENEVA.- Today’s inaugural sale of Fine Jewels in Geneva soared above estimate to reach a total of CHF 5,172,188 / US$ 5,339,198 with 86.5% of lots sold overall (estimate CHF 2.8 – 4.2 million).

With sustained telephone bidding throughout the three sessions, in addition to participation in the room and a great deal of interest from bidders participating online, Sotheby’s first-ever auction in its new sale room at 2, rue François-Diday drew participation from experienced collectors and newcomers .

The eclectic array of decorative and signed jewels, priced attractively and to suit every taste, included iconic pieces by major jewellery houses including Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Bulgari as well as a selection of jewels by Michele della Valle.

AMONG THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SALE:

· A captivating collection of more than 80 jewels by Michele della Valle was 97.6% sold, with the total reaching CHF 1,224,750 / US$ 1,264,297 - nearly triple the low estimate (lots 965-1047, estimate CHF 457,450 – 688,850)

· The Michele della Valle collection was led by an emerald, tsavorite and diamond necklace, ‘Ivy’, which sold for CHF 68,750 / US$ 70,970 (lot 1037)

· Elsewhere in the sale, keen interest was sparked by a diamond long chain composed of circular-cut and cushion-shaped diamonds, which doubled its estimate to sell for CHF 100,000 / US$ 103,229 and became the top lot of the sale (lot 901)

· Two natural pearl and diamond necklaces prompted intense bidding, eventually selling for nearly seven times the pre-sale estimate: CHF 68,750 / US$ 70,970 (lot 597)

· A pair of natural pearl and diamond pendent ear clips tripled their pre-sale estimate to reach CHF 52,500 / US$ 54,195 (lot 934)