NEW YORK – Following on the heels of Christie's blockbuster $118 million jewelry auction in Hong Kong earlier this week and establishing a new record for the most valuable jewelry auction ever held in Asia, Christie's is pleased to announce highlights of its upcoming sale of Important Jewels on June 16 in New York. This annual pre-summer event caps the spring season of Christie’s worldwide jewelry auctions and features over 200 lots, including a diverse array of colored and colorless diamonds, rare gemstones, and signed designer jewels. Estimates range from $8,000 up to $5 million, and the total sale is expected to achieve $18 million.

From modest beginnings in 1946 in Detroit, Michigan, Mrs. Margaret Adderley Kelly(pictured left), her husband, the late William R. Kelly and their son, Mr. Terence E. Adderley, shaped Kelly Services, Inc. into a Fortune 500 company that now employs over 550,000 people globally. The iconic “Kelly Girl” became a household name by 1957, synonymous with high-quality temporary employees. Philanthropy was a cornerstone of her life and many organizations benefitted from her immense generosity. In addition, jewels and fine gemstones were one of Mrs. Kelly’s greatest passions that she collected with the discerning eye of a great connoisseur. The breadth of the collection was a testament to her love for the exceptional, rare, and beautiful. On June 16, Christie’s is proud to offer The Magnificent Jewels of Margaret Adderley Kelly, highlights of which include an Art Deco diamond pendant necklace suspending a D-color, Internally Flawless diamond of 16.24 carats and The Kelly Sapphire: a Kashmir sapphire of 21.71 carats, by Cartier. 

Lot 227. An Art Deco diamond pendant necklace suspending a 16.24-carat pear-shaped D-color IF Type IIa diamond – from the collection of Margaret Adderley Kelly. Estimate $1,600,000 – $2,000,000. Price realised USD 2,225,000 © Christie's Image Ltd 2015

Suspending a detachable pear-shaped diamond, weighing approximately 16.24 carats, from a single-cut diamond line, to the old-mine cut diamond neckchain, mounted in platinum, circa 1920,16 3/4 ins.,

With report 5171120299 dated 24 April 2015 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond is D color, Internally Flawless clarity

Accompanied by a supplemental letter from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond has been determined to be a Type IIa diamond. Type IIa diamonds are the most chemically pure type of diamond and often have exceptional optical transparency. Type IIa diamonds were first identified as originating from India (particularly from the Golconda region) but have since been recovered in all major diamond-producing regions of the world. Among famous gem diamonds, the 530.20 carat Cullinan I and the 105.60 carat Koh-i-noor, are examples of Type IIa

Lot 232. The Kelly Sapphire – a 21.71-carat cushion-cut Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring, by Cartier – from the collection of Margaret Adderley Kelly. Estimate $1,500,000 – $2,000,000. Price realised USD 4,197,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2015

Set with a cushion-cut sapphire, weighing approximately 21.71 carats, flanked on either side by a trapeze-shaped diamond, to the square-cut diamond hoop, mounted in platinum, ring size 6 1/2. Signed Cartier

With report CS 67323 dated 13 April 2015 from the American Gemological Laboratories stating that it is the opinion of the Laboratory that the origin of this sapphire would be classified as Classic Kashmir. Heat enhancement: None;accompanied by a supplemental appendix attesting to the rarity of the Kelly Sapphire 

Accompanied by a JewelFolio from the American Gemological Laboratories 

With report 15010221 dated 20 April 2015 from the Gübelin Gem Lab stating that gemmological testing revealed characteristics consistent with those of sapphires originating from Kashmir. No indications of heating; accompanied by a supplemental appendix attesting to the rarity of the sapphire. 

DIAMOND AND GEMSTONES HIGHLIGHTS

In keeping with Christie's strong track record of presenting the most exceptional colored and colorless diamonds and precious gemstones for sale, the top lot of the June 16 auction is an impressive cushion-cut K-color diamond of 80.73 carats. 

Lot 86. An impressive 80.73-carat cushion-cut K color diamond ring. Estimate $3,000,000 – $5,000,000. Price realised USD 3,805,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2015

Set with a cushion-cut diamond, weighing approximately 80.73 carats, mounted in platinum

With report 1162934289 dated 9 February 2015 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond is K color, VS2 clarity, with excellent polish and excellent symmetry

Additional highlights in the sale include a number of impressive diamonds and gemstones: 

Lot 118. The Majestic Blue – A fine 9.97-carat cushion-cut Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring. Estimate $950,000 – $1,250,000. Price realised USD 1,145,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2015

Set with a cushion-cut sapphire, weighing approximately 9.97 carats, to the circular-cut diamond shoulders, mounted in platinum

With report CS 67160 dated 24 April 2015 from the American Gemological Laboratories stating that it is the opinion of the Laboratory that the origin of this sapphire would be classified as Kashmir. No gemological evidence of heat; accompanied by a supplemental appendix attesting to the rarity of the sapphire, stating that the sapphire also possesses a high clarity and a very deep, richly saturated 'Royal Blue' color. In honor of this gem's rarity it has been named The Majestic Blue

With report 15045019 dated 6 May 2015 from the Gübelin Gem Lab stating that gemmological testing revealed characteristics consistent with those of sapphires originating from Kashmir. No indications of heating; accompanied by a supplemental appendix attesting to the rarity of the sapphire

Lot 181. A 28.02-carat cushion-cut Fancy Intense yellow diamond and diamond ring. Estimate $700,000 – $900,000. Price realised USD 857,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2015

Set with a modified cushion-cut fancy intense yellow diamond, weighing approximately 28.02 carats, flanked on either side by a shield-shaped diamond, mounted in platinum and 18k gold

With report 2165883897 dated 16 December 2014 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond is fancy intense yellow, natural color, VS2 clarity

Lot 203. A 25.82-carat cushion-cut K color diamond ring. Estimate $600,000 – $700,000. Price realised USD 725,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2015

Set with a a cushion-cut diamond, weighing approximately 25.82 carats, to the cushion-cut diamond hoop, mounted in platinum, ring size 6

With report 1172034472 dated 26 February 2015 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond is K color, VS2 clarity, with excellent polish and excellent symmetry

SIGNED JEWELS

Signed creations by world-renowned design houses such as Cartier, Graff, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels 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 connoisseurs – and also very likely to retain or increase in value over the long term.