Christie’s is pleased to present Magnificent Jewels featuring The Azure Blue, taking place live in New York on 9 June at Rockefeller Center. This season’s sale brings together extraordinary gemstones and notable and important private collections, offering highly curated assemblages of historic and contemporary jewellery.
Highlights include vibrant gemstones, exceptional -coloured diamonds, and creations by the world’s most celebrated houses, including Bulgari, Cartier, David Webb, JAR, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels.
Leading the sale is The Azure Blue , a Fancy Blue Diamond of 31.62 carats (estimate: $6,500,000 –8,500,000), one of two significant blue diamonds anchoring the auction. The sale also features a Fancy Vivid Blue Marquise -Modified Brilliant -Cut Diamond of 5.04 carats (estimate: $6,500,000 –8,500,000), underscoring Christie’s longstanding leadership in presenting the world’s most important coloured diamonds.
Claibo urne Poindexter, Head of Jewellery, Americas , comments: “What makes this season so special is the depth of storytelling within the jewels themselves. These pieces were assembled with passion, discernment, and a true sense of personal style. To bring them to auction is to honor the lives and legacies behind them, while offering collectors today the chance to become the next stewards of these extraordinary creations.”
Among the major private collections offered this season is The Joanna Carson Collection: A Legacy of Glamour and Giving , Property Sold with the Intent to Benefit Various Charities, presented across Magnificent Jewels and Jewels Online. A deeply generous philanthropist, Mrs. Carson is remembered for her charitable work as well as her contributions to fashion and theatre —first as a model and later as a Broadway producer. She had a particular passion for David Webb, which she collected extensively. Ten standout pieces from her collection will be offered in the live sale, including a 15.92 carats Diamond Ring and Eternity Band Ring (estimate: $200,000 –300,000), an Emerald and Diamond Necklace (estimate: $100,000 –150,000), a David Webb Ruby and Diamond Necklace (estimate: $80,000 –120,000), and Sapphire and Diamond Pendant Earrings (estimate: $100,000 –150,000), with additional lots presented both in the live and online sale .
Another standout collection featured in the sale is The Collection of Lorinda Payson de Roulet , comprising a refined selection of jewels that reflect her family’s storied cultural legacy. Highlights include an Antique Natural Pearl and Diamond Brooch (estimate: $500,000 -700,000 ), a Tiffany & Co. Art Deco Emerald and Diamond Ring (estimate: $300,000 –500,000), and a Cartier Art Deco Emerald, Sapphire, and Diamond Bracelet (estimate: $150,000 –250,000). Mrs. de Roulet, a distinguished member of the Whitney family, inherited a legacy shaped by generations of art patrons and philanthropists. Her mother, Joan Whitney Payson, assembled one of the great private art collections of the 20th century and founded the New York Mets in 1962. Upon her mother’s passing in 1975, Mrs. de Roulet became President of the Mets, establishing herself as a pioneering woman in professional sports.
The sale also includes thirteen jewels from The Collection of Irene Roosevelt Aitken , led by a Van Cleef & Arpels Retro Diamond and Gold Bracelet (estimate: $100,000 –150,000) formerly from the collection of famed operatic soprano Lily Pons. This collection will be sold to benefit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Frick Collection, and the Morgan Library & Museum.
Three jewels from The Collection of Agnes Gund are also featured, including a n impressive Diamond Necklace (estimate: $150,000-200,000 , a pair of Diamond Earrings (estimate: $60,000 -80,000 ), and a Fred Multi -Coloured Sapphire and Diamond Necklace (estimate: $30,000 –50,000).
Another important group is Exceptional Jewels from the Collection of Bridget Rooney Koch, comprising three significant pieces. Among the major coloured stones offered are a David Morris Burmese Ruby and Diamond Necklace (estimate: $600,000 –800,000), a pair of Graff Spinel and Diamond Earrings (estimate: $300,000 –500,000), and a pair of superb David Morris Burmese ‘Pigeon Blood’ Ruby and Diamond Pendant Earrings (estimate: $700,000 –900,000). Additional notable colored stones in the sale include a Ruby and Diamond Ring (estimate: $200,000 –300,000) and a superb Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Ring (estimate: $1,200,000 –1,800,000).
Rounding out the sale is a lot from Property from the Collection of Gay Hugo -Martinez , featuring an Art Deco Diamond Bow Brooch (estimate: $80,000 –120,000). Property from the Collection of John Warne Gates, then by descent, includes a Tiffany & Co. Antique Sapphire and Diamond Brooch (estimate: $150,000 –200,000).
Further important jewels will be offered from the previously announced A Treasured History | The Stream Family Collection , including an Important Diamond Ring of 49.91 carats (estimate: $500,000 –700,000) and a Tiffany & Co. Art Deco Emerald and Diamond Bracelet (estimate: $300,000 –500,000), presented alongside one of the world’s finest groups of Fabergé.
Sale Highlights:
SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND RING
Cushion mixed-cut sapphire of 15.49 carats
Estimate: $1,200,000-1,800,000
The Collection of Lorinda Payson de Roulet
ANTIQUE NATURAL PEARL AND DIAMOND BROOCH
Estimate: $500,000-700,000
The Collection of Lorinda Payson de Roulet
TIFFANY & CO. ART DECO EMERALD AND DIAMOND RING
Modified square step-cut emerald of 6.01 carats
Estimate: $300,000-500,000
Exceptional Jewels from the Collection of Bridget Rooney Koch
GRAFF SPINEL AND DIAMOND EARRINGS
Estimate: $300,000-500,000
RUBY AND DIAMOND RING
Cushion mixed-cut ruby of 6.02 carats
Estimate: $200,000-300,000
Property from the Collection of Gay Hugo-Martinez
ART DECO DIAMOND BOW BROOCH
Estimate: $80,000-120,000
The Collection of Agnes Gund, Property, sold to Benefit Charitable Causes
AN IMPRESSIVE DIAMOND NECKLACE
Estimate: $150,000-200,000
Property from the Collection of John Warne Gates, thence by descent
TIFFANY & CO. ANTIQUE SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND BROOCH
Cushion pyramidal cabochon sapphire of 72.87 carats
Estimate: $150,000-200,000
Property from the Collection of Irene Roosevelt Aitken: Sold to Benefit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Frick Collection, and the Morgan Library & Museum
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS RETRO DIAMOND AND GOLD BRACELET
Estimate: $100,000-150,000