Meet the Star of Sotheby's September Auction
Bling so bright it will make your eyes burn. Gems so shiny the sun will need to put on shades. And if diamonds are a girl’s best friend, then you’re going to make the acquaintances of many, many affectionate ladies after checking out the upcoming Sotheby’s Important Jewels Auction.
New York City is the place for the multi-million dollar auction Sept. 24, 2013, that will include everything from stunning gem-encrusted rings to whimsical animal creations studded with gemstones, gold and other precious metals.
Successful bidders can bring home a custom-made brooch of a dog created with blackened gold, colored diamonds, citrine and rubies, or very tempting 18 ct gold linked necklace with a snake’s head at one end. The snake, with an expected price range of $8,000-$12,000, includes baroque pearl eyes and is dangling a diamond pendant from its mouth.
But the most brilliant star of this show is reserved for a masterpiece from Harry Winston, a “highly important” platinum and diamond ring. The emerald-cut diamond in the center weighs 19.51 carats, and it has a triangle-shaped diamond weight 2.92 carats on the right and left sides.
The ring is set for size 5 ½ but includes an adjustable shank.
What’s even more special, besides the suggested price range of $1.2-$1.8 million, is that it’s signed by Winston himself, includes the maker’s mark for Jacques Timey. The purchaser also will receive a signed box.
Harry Winston is known designing, buying and selling high-quality estate jewelry. Considered “the jeweler to the stars,” Winston has been creating exotic and timeless pieces since the 1930s. His extensive collections have included engagement sets and watches that are not just functional but intricate works of art.
His glamorous creations have been credited with revolutionizing the jewelry world in the 20th century. The company continues to come out with new pieces, and there also exists a strong market for his vintage pieces. This includes the ring up for auction, which is the property of the George Rothman family.
The Winston collection also includes some items not in public circulation, such as the Lesotho Diamond, which started as an uncut 601-carat diamond but was split into 18 separate gems; and the 45.52 Hope Diamond, which Harry Winston purchased and later donated to the Smithsonian Institution as a gift to the world.
The renowned artist also pioneered the trend of loaning his pieces to Hollywood starlets to wear at Oscar ceremonies and other gala red-carpet events. This partnership gave his pieces excellent exposure, especially once these events were televised, and gave the leading ladies even more of a chance to shine in the spotlight and be remembered for their choice in jewelry much after the big night draws to a close.
Over the years, Harry Winston creations have been worn by Marilyn Monroe, Gwyneth Paltrow, Elizabeth Taylor, Halle Berry and others.
Besides the animal-themed pieces, other interesting and exotic pieces of jewelry on the auction block includes a 15.10 carat platinum and diamond ring with an expected price range of $1.25-$1.75 million; a 1.08 ct. platinum, vivid blue diamond expected to sell for $450,000–$650,000; or a platinum, palladium and diamond triple-band cuff bracelet valued at $40,000-$60,000.