The December 6 and 7 Important Jewelry auction at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers represents a diverse range of time periods, styles and designers. At the same time, three focal points emerge from the collection: colored stones, signed jewelry and diamonds.

The sale features a superb selection of fine colored gems from the most important localities. One highlight is an antique brooch by Tiffany & Co., circa 1910, containing a Colombian emerald of high crystal and vivid saturation. The emerald, surrounded by colorless old European cut diamonds in a platinum topped gold setting, has documentation showing only insignificant traces of clarity enhancement.  It has a presale estimate of $40,000 – 60,000.

Also by Tiffany is a rare palladium ring containing a rare “pigeon blood” ruby. The ring, designed in a Retro style, was produced during a brief window in history when precious metals such as platinum were restricted for wartime purposes. The excellent ruby center has not only been certified as Burmese in origin but also shows no evidence of color enhancement through heat treatment. The cushion cut gem hails from the Mogok valley, the source of the world’s finest rubies. The ring has a presale estimate of $20,000 – 30,000.

Sapphires, the world’s most popular colored gems, are also well represented.  Unrivaled in beauty and demand, Kashmir sapphires, such as the unset 3.65 carat cushion cut stone to be sold ($40,000 – 60,000), exemplify the vivid silken blue hue that makes these jewels the most precious.

The sale is rounded out with numerous other important colored stone offerings including a large and fine alexandrite of nearly 16 carats exhibiting a notably strong color change, together with other jewels showcasing rare gems such as demantoid garnet, fancy color sapphires, and fine jadeite jade amongst others.

Aside from superb examples of colored stones, jewels by the most revered houses will be on offer in the December Important Jewelry auction. Two exceptional bracelets by Cartier will be available. The first, a platinum, emerald and diamond design, features three emerald cut emeralds of very fine saturation and clarity set amidst subtle diamond accents in a classic design. It has a presale estimate of $35,000 – 55,000. The second is an unusual and exquisite example of the “Tutti Frutti” design language and estimated at $20,000 – 30,000.  This complex construction consists of rock crystal links each supporting intricate foliate accents in carved or cabochon cut rubies, sapphires, and emeralds with diamond detail.

A single owner collection of vintage Van Cleef & Arpels jewels from the 1960s and 1970s will showcase wonderfully atypical designs from the maison.  A Mesoamerican inspired necklace composed of heavily sculpted gold links around a central sun deity is a striking example of their impressive creativity and eclectic inspiration. A tiger’s eye bead and sculpted gold, long chain necklace ($7,000 – 9,000) and a whimsical and beautifully crafted mushroom brooch utilizing coral to great effect ($8,000 – 12,000) are brilliant throwbacks to the influences of the day, circa 1970.

The storied work of Tiffany & Co. is well represented by several examples of Schlumberger.  Two early French made paillone bangle bracelets, in provocative blue and white enamel with lozenge and dot designs, evoke the elegant style that elevated his designs to cult status. A colorful pair of the famed pansy earclips, executed for Tiffany by Oscar Heyman Brothers, contains richly saturated tsavorite garnets contrasting the gem sapphires. The pair is estimated at $12,000 – 18,000. The work of many other great designers such as David Webb, Bulgari, Seaman Schepps and Black, Starr and Frost are also displayed, creating an exciting event for serious collectors everywhere.

Rounding out the sale is a diverse and impressive selection of rare diamonds.  Of magnificent scale, a 20.75 carat emerald cut diamond ring once in the collection of Wayne Newton provides an opportunity for collectors to add an expertly cut stone of important size to their collection.  The ring carries a presale estimate of $350,000-400,000.

For connoisseurs of only the most rare of colored diamonds, the auction includes an ultra-exclusive red diamond, one of only 20-30 stones with this color known to exist, most being well under a half carat.  The stone, fashioned as a radiant cut of 0.48 carat, displays an even red hue certified by the GIA as natural in origin.  The stone hails from the famed Australian Argyle mine and carries an SI1 clarity, which is notably high compared to most pink and red diamonds.  The small but superb beauty carries an estimate of $150,000-175,000.

Auction Schedule

Important Jewelry

1338 West Lake Street

Chicago, Illinois 60607

Sunday, December 6 | 12 PM CT

Monday, December 7 | 10AM CT

Preview Schedule

Chicago preview: Wednesday, December 2 – Saturday, December 5

New York preview: Monday, November 16 – Wednesday, November 18

Contact

Alexander Eblen | alexandereblen@lesliehindman.com | 312.334.4233