Lot 256. A cultured pearl and diamond brooch, René Boivin, 1980s. Estimate £15,000-20,000 / €17,800-23,700 / $20,000-26,600. Photo: Sotheby's.

LONDON.- As London is gearing up for London Fashion Week, Sotheby’s jewellery specialists have put together a rich selection of exquisite wearable jewels at affordable prices for their London Fine Jewels sale on 21st September. Testament to the timeless allure of great designs and beautiful stones, the jewels on offer are the perfect addition to the most stylish looks. Suited to all generations and seasons, the dazzling pieces on offer feature a unique range of ladies’ cocktail watches and accessories for the dapper gentleman. 

Yellow gold has an enduring elegance; the warmth of yellow gold looks as stunning next to crisp linen as it does against a cashmere coat. The September Fine Jewels sale offers a wide selection of designs, some by revered jewellery houses including Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels as well as Hemmerle, Boucheron and Oscar Heyman. No one can doubt that as the times change, yellow gold will remain a favourite of jewellery designers and collectors the world over, as exemplified by a chain necklace (lot 251, est. £7,000-9,000 / €8,300-10,700 / $9,400-12,000) and a diamond necklace, Illario (lot 237, est. £5,500-6,500 / €6,600-7,700 / $7,400-8,700). 

Lot 237. Diamond necklace, Illario. Estimate £5,500-6,500 / €6,600-7,700 / $7,400-8,700. Photo: Sotheby's.

Suspending an oval plaque set with circular-cut diamonds depicting the Virgo constellation, to a flattened curb link chain, length approximately 625mm, unsigned, each with Italian maker's marks, gross weight approximately 138 grams. 

Gold inspires the boldest designs, as seen in a diamond bangle (1965) and necklace (1966) of brutalist design by David Morris (lot 137, est. £5,000-6,000 / €6,000-7,100 / $6,700-8,000) and lot 132, est. £3,0004,000 / €3,550-4,750 / $4,000-5,400) and this Lady’s wristwatch/bangle, Neiman Marcus, 1970s (lot 135, est. £3,000-5,000 / €3,550-6,000 / $4,000-6,700). 

Lot 137. Diamond bangle, David Morris, circa 1965. Estimate £5,000-6,000 / €6,000-7,100 / $6,700-8,000. Photo: Sotheby's.

The wide bangle of Brutalist design accented with brilliant-cut diamonds, inner circumference approximately 170mm, signed David Morris, box and bag stamped David Morris, gross weight approximately 190 grams.

Note: Accompanied by David Morris invoice.

Brutalism references a movement in architecture that was prevalent from the 1950s until the mid-1970s. Originating from the French work for ‘raw’, the term paid homage to the architect Le Corbusier’s use of raw concrete, béton brut. An example of architectural Brutalism in London is Trellick Tower, North Kensington.

Lot 132. Diamond necklace, David Morris, circa 1966. Estimate £3,000-4,000 / €3,550-4,750 / $4,000-5,400. Photo: Sotheby's.

Of abstract design, set with tapered baguettes, unsigned, pouch stamped David Morris, gross weight approximately 76 grams. 

Accompanied by David Morris invoice.

lot 135. Lady's wristwatch-bangle, Neiman Marcus, 1970s. Estimate £3,000-5,000 / €3,550-6,000 / $4,000-6,700. Photo: Sotheby's.

Designed as a bangle, the concealed rectangular watch face applied with baton indicators, signed Neiman Marcus, French assay and maker's marks, numbered, gross weight approximately 135 grams. 

Gold can also be matched with rare materials, such as semi-precious stones, to create elegant designs. The sale includes a stunning rock crystal bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels (lot 258, est. £3,000-4,000 / €3,550-4,750 / $4,000-5,400). 

Lot 258. Rock crystal bracelet, Van Cleef & Arpels. Estimate £3,000-4,000 / €3,550-4,750 / $4,000-5,400. Photo: Sotheby's.

Of flattened curb link design, alternating carved rock crystal links, length approximately 190mm, signed VCA, numbered, French assay and maker's marks, pouch stamped Van Cleef & Arpels.

MODERN & CONTEMPORARY DESIGNS 
This autumn’s sale offers a rich selection of modern & contemporary designs by the world’s most renowned jewellers, including Boivin, Boucheron, Cartier and Hermès: an affordable treat for any jewellery lover in search of these highly prized creations. 

Lot 256. A cultured pearl and diamond brooch, René Boivin, 1980s. Estimate £15,000-20,000 / €17,800-23,700 / $20,000-26,600. Photo: Sotheby's.

Designed as a spray of oak leaves and acorns, two leaves and cups pavé-set with brilliant-cut diamonds of various yellow and of near colourless tints, the acorns set with cultured pearls, signed René Boivin, French assay marks, fitted case stamped René Boivin.