#auctionhaus

If you’re on the hunt for a statement piece, look no further than Sotheby’s online Tony Duquette auction.  Colorful, bold and dramatic, these exquisite gems capture an epoch of an extraordinary career.  Here are my top 5 picks:

Lot 32 tourmaline necklace

Lot 20 amethyst and diamond bracelet

Lot 7 aquamarine ring

Lot 19 amethyst and abalone brooch

Lot 15 cz and diamond ring

Lot 5 blue topaz and diamond ear clips

Auction ends today at 12pm EST.

[Oppenheimer Blue: fancy vivid blue, emerald cut, VVS1 clarity, 14.62cts. Sold for $57.7M at Christie’s Geneva]

Just a few weeks ago, the Oppenheimer Blue set a new record at $57.7M, replacing the Blue Moon which sold for $48.5M last November as the most expensive jewel ever sold.  Now a new blue diamond is on the auction block.  Meet the Cullinan Dream:

[Cullinan Dream: fancy intense blue, rectangular mix cut, VS2 clarity, 24.18cts. Christie’s New York]

Blue diamond sales have been setting records in the past year, which makes the Shirley Temple Blue an interesting conundrum. Despite the high buzz it garnered, the famed blue diamond failed to sell at Sotheby’s last month.  Bidding started at $19M and went up to $22M, but it did not reach its valued asking price of $25-35M.  Sotheby’s has said it will sell the jewel at a later date.

[Shirley Temple Blue: fancy deep blue, cushion modified brilliant cut, VVS2 clarity, 9.54cts. Sotheby’s New York]

[Blue Moon: fancy vivid blue, cushion brilliant cut, IF clarity, 12.03cts. Sold for $48.5M at Sotheby’s Geneva]

[DeBeers Millennium Jewel 4: fancy vivid blue, oval modified brilliant cut, IF clarity, 10.10cts. Sold for $31.8M at Sotheby’s Hong Kong - the highest price ever sold at an Asian jewelry auction]

Despite the Shirley Temple Blue enigma, blue diamonds are definitely having a moment.  Its beauty and rarity are unmatched... How much will the Cullinan Dream fetch at Christie’s next month?

Diamond Fruit Brooch:

Another blue diamond is on the market!  A 9.54-carat fancy deep blue, VVS2 (with potential IF) clarity diamond ring owned by the late Shirley Temple is being auctioned off next month by Sotheby’s NY.  It’s expected to go for $25-35M.

Links of the Day:

Chanel, Dior, Fendi and Kors Unveil Latest Offerings at Baselworld

Bulgari, Snake Charmer

Prizes Awarded at Contemporary Jewelry Fair

Jewelry that Captures a Certain Moment in Time

A Song of the Sea, in Gold and Gems

From Estonia, the Appeal of Pearls

Mom’s Ring, Remade

Jewelry for Everyday

The Shine Is Off Diamonds and Gold

A TON of jewelry news going on right now!  Shout out to the New York Times for their stellar coverage!

Behold, the De Beers Millennium Jewel 4!

At 10.10cts, it’s the largest oval fancy vivid blue diamond ever to be auctioned off and is estimated to be worth $30-35M at Sotheby’s HK in April.  Read more at National Jeweler: 10-Carat Blue Diamond to Fetch $35M