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25 novembre 2012

Bonhams sets new world record with exquisite Sri Lankan sapphire ring from Van Cleef & Arpels

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Van Cleef & Arpels Sapphire & Diamond ring. Photo: Bonhams.

HONG KONG.- An exquisite sapphire and diamond ring by Van Cleef & Arpels featuring a rectangular-cut sapphire weighing 43.16 carats set a new world record, selling for HK$12,084,000 on 23rd November at the sale of ‘Eight Exceptional Jewels from a Private Collection’ at Bonhams in Hong Kong. 

Bidders competed fiercely for the striking ring, which at HK$280,000 (US$36,000) per carat, went well over its pre-sale estimate of HK$4,260,000 – 5,050,000 and broke the previous record for a Sri Lankan sapphire, which was US$26,000 per carat. The total for the sale also far exceeded the pre-sale estimate realising HK$33,856,500. 

In 1969, Jacques Arpels travelled to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in person to acquire the exceptional 43.16 carat sapphire. The perfectly crystalline, flawless stone was subsequently mounted in a ring and flanked by two pear-shaped diamonds. This ring demonstrates the jeweller’s expertise in sourcing stones of extraordinary depth and quality. 

Van Cleef & Arpels has long been known as one of the most innovative and well established jewellers in the world. Members of the Royal family such as the Prince of Wales and A-list celebrities including Elizabeth Taylor and Grace Kelly bought some of their finest pieces from the renowned jeweller. 

Another of the key highlights in the ‘Eight Exceptional Jewels’ sale included an important diamond necklace/choker/ bracelet with 22 precisely matched emeralds weighing 47 carats and 412 diamonds with a total weight of more than 70 carats. Between 1959 and 1961 Van-Cleef and Arpels went in search of the superlative gems to make this sumptuous collar necklace, which sold for HK$9,620,000. 

A magnificent ruby and diamond strap bracelet, which is recorded in Van Cleef & Arpels’ archive as being made in 1936 was another of the top lots, selling for HK$3,620,000. It was once in the collection of glamorous philanthropist and leader of pre-WW2 French Riviera society, Madame Hélène Beaumont. Set with 107 carats of fine-quality rubies, the bracelet is remarkable for its outstanding supple and ribbon-like craftsmanship. 

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Pink Diamond Ring. Photo: Bonhams.

The Fine Jewellery & Jadeite sale on the same day also realised strong prices for the top pieces, with the highest-value lot far exceeding expectations. The magnificent diamond single-stone ring featuring an unusual ‘Fancy Light Pink’ pear-shaped diamond sold for HK$9,844,000 against a pre-sale estimate of HK$6,100,000 – 7,300,000.  Accompanied by a certificate from Gübelin stating that the diamond is Fancy Light Pink, natural colour, VVS1 clarity. There is an appendix to this certificate stating that the diamond is Type IIa. Certificate number 0502106, dated 22 Feb 2005. Accompanied by a certificate from GIA stating that the diamond is Natural Light Pink colour, VVS1 clarity. Certificate number 2145886435, dated 31 Jul 2012

Graeme Thompson, Bonhams recently recruited Head of Jewellery in Asia, said: “We offered exceptional jewels and they have made exceptional prices. We produced a fabulous single-owner catalogue for the collection of ‘Eight Exceptional Jewels’ and have marketed the sale around the globe. I am delighted for our vendor that we have proved we can get world-record breaking prices.” 

Matthew Girling, Bonhams Group Jewellery director comments: “Our new team in Hong Kong led by Graeme Thompson is already proving itself with this significant sale. However this was a worldwide team effort. We drew on consignments for the sale from across the globe. It is a testimony to that team effort that we have produced such remarkable results.” 

The top five jewellery results across the two combined jewellery sales held in Hong Kong on 23rd November are as follows:

Lot 8 (Eight Exceptional Jewels): An exceptional sapphire and diamond ring, by Van Cleef & Arpels: HK$12,084,000

Lot 1056 (Fine Jewellery & Jadeite): A magnificent diamond single-stone ring: HK$9,844,000

image__4_An important emerald and diamond necklace/choker/bracelet combination by Van Cleef & Arpels 

The collar necklace designed as a series of twenty-two graduating clusters, each set to the centre with a step-cut emerald within a frame of brilliant-cut diamonds, the necklace detaches into four parts and may be worn as a shorter choker and a pair of bracelets, mounted in platinum and 18 carat gold, emeralds weigh 47.04 carats total, diamonds weigh 70.60 carats total, numbered 92116, French workshop marks, French assay marks length 42.0cm.  

Accompanied by a certificate from American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) stating the natural emeralds are of Colombian origin with faint to moderate clarity enhancement by oil. Report number CS32505, dated 12 January 1999. 

LITERATURE: Christie's, 'Review of the Season 1975', edited by John Herbert, London, page 175, where the necklace is noted as having sold at auction in Geneva for CHF 1,000,000.

Raulet, Sylvie, 'Van Cleef & Arpels', Rizzoli New York, 1987, pages 78 and 79 where is it described and illustrated.

image__5_A magnificent ruby and diamond strap bracelet, by Van Cleef & Arpels. Photo Bonhams

Designed as a highly articulated mesh of oval-cut rubies interspersed with single baguette-cut diamonds, connected by pairs of tapered baguette-cut diamond scrolling ribbon motifs, to an integral clasp, mounted in platinum, unsigned but recorded in the archives of Van Cleef & Arpels, length 18.0cm. Sold for HK$3,620,000.

PROVENANCE: 'The Magnificent Jewels of Mme Hélène Beaumont', Sotheby's Geneva, May 18, 1994, Lot 522.

Although the bracelet is unmarked, it is recorded in the Van Cleef & Arpels' archive as number 44724 and as being composed of 107.25 carats of rubies and 16.70 carats of diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels has confirmed that it left the workshop of Rubel Frères on 10 April 1936 and it was purchased on 14 May 1936. The lack of signature, number and Rubel Frères' maker's mark is probably due to the bracelet being altered at some point before it was sold at the Sotheby's auction in 1994.

image__6_A fine emerald ring. Photo Bonhams

The cushion-shaped emerald, weighing 10.03 carats, within a fluted 22 carat yellow gold mount of matt finish, ring size P. Sold for HK$ 3,020,000

Accompanied by an AGL report stating that the emerald is of Colombian origin with faint clarity enhancement. Certificate number CS50825, dated 23 July 2012.

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