A Pair of Pear-Shaped Colombian Emerald Ear Pendants of 10.26 and 9.01 Carats. Estimate: $300,000 – 500,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012

NEW YORK, NY.- At its first jewelry auction since the record-breaking $137.2 million jewelry sale of The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor last December, Christie’s New York will present a blockbuster sale of exceptional jewelry on April 17 at its flagship Rockefeller Center saleroom. The auction features over 300 individual jewels, including top-quality diamonds, gemstones, natural pearls and signed jewels, with auction estimates ranging from $2,000 up to $8 million. The total sale is expected to achieve in excess of $40 million. 

The Clark Pink. A Belle Époque  exceptional  pink diamond ring, by Dreicer & Co. Estimate $6,000,000 - $8,000,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012 

Set with a modified cushion-cut fancy vivid purplish pink diamond, weighing approximately 9.00 carats, to the single-cut diamond prongs, gallery and shoulders, mounted in platinum, circa 1910. Signed D & Co. for Dreicer & Co 

With report 2145476525 dated 22 February 2012 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond is fancy vivid purplish pink, natural color, SI1 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 

The Estate of Huguette M. Clark.

The Clarck Diamond. A superb diamond ring by Cartier. Estimate $2,000,000 - $3,000,000.  Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012

Set with a rectangular-cut diamond, weighing approximately 19.86 carats, flanked on either side by a baguette-cut diamond, mounted in platinum, in a Cartier red leather box Signed Cartier 

With report 2145467335 dated 15 February 2012 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond is D color, VVS2 clarity; accompanied by a working diagram indicating that the clarity may be potentially internally flawless

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

The Estate of Huguette M. Clark.

The sale also features a magnificent selection of signed jewels from the Estate of Lucille E. Davison, a prominent collector, philanthropist and long-time trustee of Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. Her jewelry collection includes over 40 exquisite signed jewels that represent the best in modern design, including an array of “mystery set” jewels by Van Cleef & Arpels, and a selection of bracelets and brooches conceived by the legendary designer Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. The total collection is estimated to realize up to $1 million. 

The April sale also marks the start to another exciting season for the diamond market, with no less than 10 top-quality D-color diamonds included in the sale, and 15 more stones graded higher than top commercial white. The assortment is led by The Perfect Diamond, a stunning 44.09 carat D-color internally flawless diamond with a highly-desirable emerald cut (estimate upon request). Exhibiting excellent polish and symmetry with no fluorescence, The Perfect Diamond is certified by the GIA as a type IIa diamond, the most chemically pure classification prized for its exceptional optical clarity.

The Perfect Diamond. Estimate on request. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012

Set with a rectangular-cut diamond, weighing approximately 44.09 carats, flanked on either side by a tapered baguette-cut diamond, mounted in platinum

With report 5141026166 dated 6 December 2011 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond is D color, internally flawless clarity, with excellent polish and excellent symmetry

Accompanied by a supplemental letter 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 and the 105.60 carat Koh-i-noor, are examples of Type IIa 

Rahul Kadakia, Head of Jewelry at Christie’s New York noted, “Christie’s record results of $600 million in jewelry sales worldwide last year were shaped by continuing demand for top colored and colorless diamonds with exceptional provenance, including the new auction record of $266,000 per carat for a colorless diamond, achieved last December in New York for the legendary Elizabeth Taylor Diamond of 33.19 carats. Investment-quality jewels of this caliber, whether collected purely for enjoyment or as a tangible alternative asset, continue to inspire great interest from new and established collectors worldwide. We look forward to starting the spring jewelry season with this magnificent selection of rare diamonds, gemstones and signed jewels, all of which have been curated with the interests of today’s savvy collector in mind.” 

Magnificent Jewels 17 April 2012 New York, Rockefeller Plaza 

A Pair of Colored Diamond Ear Clips, Set with a Marquise-Cut Fancy Intense Blue Diamond of 1.81 carats and a Marquise-Cut Fancy Grayish Blue Diamond of 1.85 carats. Estimate: $350,000-500,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012.