Historic Pink Diamond And 25-Carat Cartier Ruby Could Each Fetch $18 Million At Sotheby’s Geneva

The Historic Pink Diamond

Sotheby’s auction of Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels in Geneva will likely serves as a test of the strength of the auction market for jewelry, which has had some lackluster sales recently. The May 12 sale at the Hôtel Beau-Rivage includes an historic pink diamond, an important ruby, several significant Cartier pieces and five bejeweled tiaras. 

The sale is led by two gems. The first is the 8.72-carat “Historic Pink,” which the auction house describes as an “extremely rare and highly important” Fancy Vivid Pink diamond. According to the Gemological Institute of America, it’s believed to have been part of the collection of Princess Mathilde, the niece of Napoleon Bonaparte. The stone, which has VS2 clarity, is also distinguished by its classic non-modified cushion cut, unusual in a pink diamond, Sotheby’s said. 

The pre-sale estimate is $14 to $18 million. 

The Sunrise Ruby by Cartier

The 25.59-carat “Sunrise Ruby” by Cartier is described as a “unique treasure of nature” by the Swiss Gemmological Institute. The ruby has not received any heat treatment and the color is described by that famous auction moniker for exceptional rubies, “pigeon’s blood” red: the rarest and most sought-after of hues.

Its estimate is $12 million to $18 million.

Diamond necklace by Cartier 

It is one of four jewels by Cartier from the same private collection. The other statement piece is a diamond necklace of more than 190 carats. Custom-made for the owner, it is designed as a cascade of diamonds, the front accented with a floral motif and suspending a fringe of nine pear-shaped stones. Its estimate is $6 to $10 million. 

Kashmir sapphire and diamond brooch, Cartier

The other pieces are a brooch set with a 30.23-carat Kashmir sapphire (estimate: $3.5 million - $6 million); and sapphire and diamond earrings, made with two Burmese Mogok sapphires of 15.77 and 16.90 carats (estimate: $800,000 - $1.2 million). 

Diamond Cartier tiara, 1930s 

Provenance is a constant theme of this sale and one of the most important items of Noble ownership is a collection of jewels that includes three tiaras from the Estate of Mary, Duchess of Roxburghe. They are led by a piece created by Cartier in the 1930s (estimate: $300,000 – $500,000); and intricate tiara/necklace composed of fleurs de lys and confronting scroll motifs, swing-set with a graduated row of twenty superb pear-shaped diamonds (estimate: $300,000 – $500,000); and a delicate ruby and diamond creation (estimate: $80,000 – 100,000).

Mary, Duchess of Roxburghe is the granddaughter of Rothschild heiress Hannah and British Prime Minister the Earl of Rosebery, whose wedding to the Duke of Roxburghe brought together two of Britain’s great aristocratic families, according to the auction house. 

In addition to the three tiaras from the Roxburghe Estate, the auction will offer a two other tiaras for a total of five very fine pieces in a single sale, which is extremely rare, according to the auction house.

Diamond tiara necklace, 1880s

From the Collection of the Earl of Mar and Kellie, a diamond tiara/necklace, designed in the style of a “tiare russe,” dating back to the 1880s and drawing inspiration from the Russian kokoshniks—traditional fan- shaped head ornaments inspired by the cockscomb. This tiara was worn by the 12th Countess of Mar at the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902 (estimate: $150,000 – $295,000).

The fifth tiara is one made of emeralds and diamonds dating to the early 20th century. The piece is designed as two lines of circular-cut diamonds, surmounted with scroll and fleur de lys motifs, the scrolls topped with drop-shaped emeralds (estimate: $40,000 - $60,000).

No auction is complete these days without at least one signature natural pearl necklace. In this case the jewel is composed of two graduated rows strung with 78 natural pearls ($3 million - $5 million).

There was a noted decline in the number of lots being sold along with their value during auctions in April. For example, Sotheby’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels & Jadeite sale saw nearly a third of its lots go unsold—unheard of in recent years. Christie’s New York Magnificent Jewels sale fared a little better with 77 percent of the items sold by (meaning nearly a quarter of the lots went unsold) and 77 percent sold by value, compared with estimates.

A large diamond at Christie’s New York in April was pulled halfway through the auction and several other items didn’t make the reserve price.

Most recently, Sotheby’s New York Magnificent Jewels sale bucked the negative trend with 80 percent of items sold by lot and nearly 85 percent sold by value with 10 jewels selling for more than $1 million. In a nod to the modern way of doing business, four of the top 10 items were sold to online bidders.

The Geneva jewelry auctions are often the most highly anticipated sales on the calendar and Sotheby’s and Christie’s are presenting highly sought after pieces in all categories. So next month will determine whether the slowdown was a temporary occurrence or here to stay. 

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes website.

Gubelin Group Renews Its Support of JNA Awards

The Gubelin Group—known for its handcrafted gold and gem-set fine jewelry, gemological laboratory and the Gubelin Academy for gemological education—is returning as an “Honored Partner” of the JNA Awards for the third consecutive year.

The Switzerland-based company joins Headline Partners Rio Tinto and Chow Tai Fook, and other Honored Partners Diarough Group, Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies, Shanghai Diamond Exchange and Guangdong Land Holdings Limited in supporting one of the industry's most prestigious and widely respected awards initiatives.

The JNA Awards is organized by Hong Kong-based jewelry trade magazine, Jewellery News Asia, a subsidiary of tradeshow and publishing group, UBM Asia. The JNA Awards recognizes and honors outstanding companies from around the world whose business practices have had a positive impact on the Asian region and the gemstone and jewelry industry. 

“We are very delighted to support JNA Awards 2015, probably the most important event of the year for the jewelry industry,” said Raphael Gubelin, CEO and board member of the Gubelin Group. “It is an occasion to catch up with old friends, strengthen relationships, and discuss recent innovations and new ideas or products.”

“Gubelin has long been recognized as a company that consistently strives for excellence and has a deep commitment to the highest standards—values that the JNA Awards is set out to promote in the jewelry and gemstone industry,” added Letitia Chow, founder of JNA and director of Business Development—Jewellery Group at UBM Asia.

Established in 1854, Gubelin is a family owned business now led by sixth-generation members with operations covering jewelry manufacturing, retail, gemstone testing, and most recently, a gemstone education academy. Headquartered in Lucerne, Switzerland, Gubelin has nine boutiques in locations across Switzerland, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. In 2013, Gubelin further grew its presence in Asia, with the inauguration of its VIP Salon and the opening of the Gubelin Academy in Hong Kong, which offers courses aimed at trade professionals, private clients and connoisseurs of colored gemstones.

The group also operates its world-renowned Gubelin Gem Lab, one of the world's oldest and most respected institutions of its kind, which is widely trusted by gemstone dealers, jewellery retailers, auction houses, royal families and private collectors since the 1920s.

JNA Awards 2015 is now accepting entries until 30 April, 24:00 Hong Kong time. The awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, 20 September, during the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2015, at the Regal Airport Hotel in Hong Kong, where the Recipients in 16 award categories will be announced.

For more information about the JNA Awards, including the full list of 2015 award categories, visit www.JNAawards.com or contact:

JNA Awards Marketing 
UBM Asia (Hong Kong) 
+852 2516-1683
marketing@jnaawards.com

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes website.

'Gotham' Star Erin Richards Wears Cleo Collar Necklace By Beth Farber

A necklace by jewelry artist Beth Farber shared the spotlight with the stars of the crime drama, Gotham. 

Barbara Kean (played by Erin Richards) wore the bold, colorful Cleo Collar by Beth Farber, on the April 20 episode of the FOX television series. The jewelry artist is represented by Aaron Faber Gallery, New York. 

The necklace is made of hand-woven 18k gold, black spinel and emerald beads with two large boulder peacock-colored opals as a centerpiece. The 15-inch collar is meant to be worn close at the neck.

Beth Farber adapts techniques from antiquity to hand weave precious metals and gemstones into one-of-a-kind, wearable art. She specializes in the integration of ancient textile processes with contemporary perspectives and precious gems.

Beth Farber

When woven together, the gold and gems are transformed into fine jewelry that is soft to the touch and drapes like a shimmering textile, melding to the shape of a woman’s body. 

Gotham is an American crime-drama television series on the FOX network based on DC Comics Batman characters, James Gordon and Bruce Wayne, before they became the police commissioner and Batman, respectively. 

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes website.

Hollywood Jewelry Fashion At White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Chanel Iman wore Harry Kotlar diamond earrings and Harry Kotlar bracelet

For better or worse politics in the US has largely become another form of entertainment. Nothing epitomizes this more than the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. Hollywood celebrities, political leaders, political opinion makers and White House reporters rubbed shoulders at the Washington Hilton Saturday night for the annual event that celebrated its 101st year. 

It began as a way to acknowledge award-winners, present scholarships, and give the press and the president an evening of friendly appreciation. White House correspondents often invited their favorite sources to the event. A few still do.

In recent years the celebrity guests, pre-dinner receptions and post-dinner parties have in many ways overshadowed the main event, which is largely a friendly roast of the president along with skits by journalists a d a well-known comedian as a featured speaker. I attended the correspondents’ dinner in 1998 and the post-dinner parties are fun. 

With stars comes fashion and with fashion comes jewelry and on this note several of Hollywood’s finest were well adorned. Among the standouts: 

Chanel Iman in Harry Kotlar diamond earrings and Harry Kotlar bracelet (top photo).

Jenna Dewan-Tatum in Casa Reale earrings and Casa Reale ring. 

Carla Gugino in Jewelmer south sea pearl earrings. 

Gina Rodriguez in Harry Kotlar diamond earrings, Harry Kotlar ring and Chimento bracelet. 

Bethany Mota in Brumani earrings.

Laverne Cox in Forevermark  by Natalie K Diamond Line Bracelet, Forevermark Diamond Drop Earrings, all in 18k white gold and Forevermark Cluster Shield Ring, in oxidized gold.

Darby Stanchfield in Forevermark By Pluczenik Integré Double Drop Earrings, Forevermark by Galili and Co. Diamond Line Bracelet, Forevermark by Natalie K Three Row Diamond Bracelet, Forevermark by Natalie K Line Bracelets and Forevermark Oval Swirl Ring, all in 18k white gold.

Hannah Davis in Arya Esha earrings and rings. 

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes website.

Buyers From 99 Countries Attended Asia’s Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair

More than 5,400 unique visitors from 99 countries and regions attended Asia’s Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair – March. Sixty percent of the buyers came from overseas, while 21 percent and 19 percent of visitors came from mainland China and the Hong Kong region, respectively.

The four-day event was held March 3 – 6 in Halls 3, 6 & 8 of the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong.

The top 10 visiting countries and regions outside of China and Hong Kong are India, USA, Korea, Italy, Japan, Taiwan region, Australia, Spain, Thailand, and the UK. The Top 10 altogether accounted for roughly 34 percent of the total number of visitors.

“Sixty percent of visitors are from overseas, a fact that reflects the fair’s renowned status as an international trading platform for fashion jewelry and accessories,” said Celine Lau, director of Jewellery Fairs at UBM Asia Ltd. 

The fair gathered 448 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions. Some exhibits were under the four theme zones: “Fashion Accessories Zone”, “Stainless Steel Jewellery Pavilion”, “Sense Zone” and “Fashion Jewellery Atelier”, and six group pavilions representing mainland China, India, Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, and Taiwan region. 

“The newly launched pavilion – 'Fashion Jewellery Atelier' – received warm feedback from buyers and exhibitors alike. We are glad to see that local talents have gained valuable experiences and industry insights at the fair; it will help the industry to grow,” Lau said.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes website.

100-Carat Diamond Sells For $22 Million At Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s called it the “perfect’ and “ultimate” diamond and “unlike any other before.” Now it can be called the $22 million diamond.

The 100.20-carat, D-Color, Internally Flawless, emerald-cut diamond was easily the top lot Tuesday at Sotheby’s New York Magnificent Jewels sale.

The Type IIa gem joins a group of only five other diamonds of more than 100 carats with similar attributes that have been sold at auction worldwide, the auction house said. The gem is further distinguished by its emerald cut, making it the largest perfect diamond with a classic emerald-cut ever to be offered at auction.

The gem came from a rough that weighed more than 200 carats and was mined by De Beers in southern Africa. It took more than a year to craft the diamond from the rough.

Gary Schuler, head of Sotheby’s Jewelry Department in New York, compared the diamond to “a pool of icy water.”

The sale price (which includes buyer’s premium) was within its estimate and amounts to $220,459 per carat. The buyer was not named.

The auction totaled nearly $65.1 million in which 79.9 percent was sold by lot and 84.4 percent by value. The other best-selling lots were dominated by colored diamonds and gems, particularly Kashmir sapphires. Cartier pieces were also in high demand.

The other top lots from the Magnificent Jewels sale are as follows:

* A 22.30-carat Internally Flawless oval diamond ring sold for $3.25 million ($145,740 per carat).

* The 35.02-carat Flagler Emerald, described as an important emerald-cut classic Colombian emerald and diamond pendant, sold for $2.77 million ($79,098 per carat)—well above its high estimate of $1.5 million.

* The Baron de Rothschild Necklace, described as an emerald, sapphire, lapis lazuli and diamond pendant-Necklace, designed by Charles Jacqueau for Cartier, Paris, circa 1924, sold for $2.59 million.

* A 6.24-carat, pear-shaped fancy purplish pink diamond with VVS2 clarity and Kashmir sapphire ring and sold for $2.4 million ($386,218 per carat).

* An 11.41-carat, Internally Flawless, round-cornered rectangular modified brilliant-cut fancy light pink diamond and diamond ring sold for $1.9 million.

* An 11.90-carat Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring of by Cartier, circa 1915, sold for $1.9 million ($162,185 per carat).

* Iconic emerald, ruby, diamond and enamel ‘Tutti Frutti’ Bracelet, Cartier, New York, circa 1928, sold for $1.6 million.

* 14.33-carat marquise-shaped diamond ring, D color and VVS1 clarity, sold for $1.15 million ($80,251 per carat).

* A 17-carat Kashmir sapphire and diamond brooch by Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co., circa 1960, formerly from the collection of Mrs. Paul Mellon sold for just over $1 million ($60,588 per carat).

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes website.

Modern Day ‘Fabergé Egg’ Containing Lunar Bible Fragment Goes On Sale At Bonhams

Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

I went to the preview of Bonhams Space History Sale to view an Omega timepiece and discovered something else that was interesting and unusual. 

It is being a called a Fabergé Egg but it bears no resemblance to the 50 bejeweled Imperial Easter eggs created from approximately 1885 to 1917 by Peter Carl Fabergé for the Russian tsars Alexander III and Nicholas II. 

Cassandra Hatton, Bonhams director of History of Science & Technology, explains that the egg was made by a company that owned the Fabergé name at the time. 

Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

From as early as 1937 until 2007, the Fabergé brand was bought and sold and under disputed ownership by several entities, including the Fabergé family. From 1964 till 1984 the company was known as Faberge Inc., owned by George Barrie. This is the most likely source of the modern egg.

So it isn't a Fabergé Egg. It is a jeweled egg made by Fabergé.

What’s encased in the silver and gilt metal 3.5 x 1.5 inch egg is what the auction house is selling: A microfiche version of a 50-page fragment from the King James Bible, taken to the moon as part of the Apollo 14 mission. 

It was a part of 100 complete copies of the Bible in microfiche that were taken on the nine-day lunar mission that launched January 31, 1971. However, for some reason only 32 fragments have been officially flight-certified to date, making this “an extremely rare and important religious artifact,” according to the auction house.

Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

How this particular 50-page fragment became encased in what is being called a Fabergé egg is unclear. 

This Faberge Inc. modern egg is decorated in gilt bows and swags with three agate cabochons embedded in the base, topped with an amethyst, according to the auction house. The base is felt lined and stenciled with the name “Fabergé” in gilt. The egg opens to display the microfiche Bible fragment in a transparent plastic square on a white pearl background. It is housed in a velvet box with the Fabergé name and with a brass plaque reading, “Apollo 14 Lunar Surface Bible Text Fragment – 50 Pages,” with a provenance letter signed by Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell and James W. Stout.

Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

Mitchell was entrusted with taking the bibles to the moon on the Lunar Module. Rev. Stout founded the Apollo Prayer League in1967 with the goal of landing the first Bibles on the Moon. 

He succeeded. 

The Bonhams Space History sale is being held Tuesday. The estimate for the Bible and jeweled container is $10,000 - $15,000.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes website.

Astronaut Alan Bean’s Omega Speedmaster At Bonhams Space Sale

Alan Bean’s 18k gold Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI chronograph

There are several interesting items at Bonhams Space History Sale on Tuesday but for Omega watch collectors the highlight will no doubt be astronaut Alan Bean’s 18k gold Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI chronograph.

It is number 26 of 30 numbered watches that were given to President Richard Nixon, Vice President Spiro Agnew and 28 Apollo Astronauts, Bonhams said. Its estimate is $40,000 - $60,000. 

If you’re unable to make Bonhams auction in New York Tuesday you can see the two watches that were presented to Nixon and Agnew at the Omega New York boutique till the end of April.

The back of Bean’s watch up for auction is engraved with the words: “Astronaut Alan Bean—to mark man's conquest of space with time, through time, on time. Skylab Mission II [III] Apollo 12.” Bean was the fourth of 12 men to walk on the moon. He served alongside Commander Pete Conrad as the lunar module pilot for Apollo 12, the second mission to put a man on the moon. 

The Omega Speedmaster Apollo XI model was created in the fall of 1969 to commemorate Apollo 11’s successful moon landing on July 20 of the same year. It was presented at a gala dinner in Houston on November 25. 

Cassandra Hatton, Bonhams director of History of Science & Technology, explains that Bean did not attend the event because he was still under quarantine following the successful landing of the Apollo 12 mission on November 20. It was given to him at a later date.

Bonhams Space History Sale coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first American spacewalk, accomplished on the Gemini 4 mission by astronauts James McDivitt and Ed White. In addition to the Omega watch, the auction will present other items belonging to Bean, including the strap from his portable life support system soiled with moon dust, an uneaten meal that accompanied the mission and which Bean kept as a souvenir, and the water dispenser he used to re-hydrate his food.

Around the corner from Bonham’s Madison Avenue auction house, Omega’s 5th Avenue boutique is showing an exhibition of its historical watches that includes the timepieces numbered 1 and 2, presented to Nixon and Agnew. The reason they are in the possession of Omega is because the two US leaders declined to accept the gifts, Petros Protopapas, Omega Museum manager explains. That’s because the two felt it wasn’t appropriate for men in their positions to accept the watches. 

The back of the watch for Nixon and the front of the watch for Agnew.

The two timepieces are part of an exhibition of more than 50 historical Omega watches, along with advertisements and other artifacts on the second floor of watch brand’s New York boutique. All of the items are from the Omega Museum in Biel, Switzerland. The exhibition is open to the public for the remainder of the month. It will then travel to Omega boutiques in Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston and Dallas.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes website.

China International Gold, Jewellery & Gem Fair – Shenzhen opens

The China International Gold, Jewellery & Gem Fair – Shenzhen opened Monday at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center. The 13th edition of the fair is will run till Wednesday.

The Fair occupies 22,500 square meters of gross exhibition space and features more than 400 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions. These include mainland China, Germany, Hong Kong region, India, Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan region, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Russian Federation and Singapore.

Jewelry brands participating, include: CHQ GmbH, Fancy Gem House, KGE Rough & Gems HK Co Ltd, S. T. Trading STS Gems Ltd, Sunny Gem Co, Fai Dee Gems Co Ltd, Zhejiang Angeperle Co Ltd, Fai Po Group, and Shanghai Kimberlite Diamond Co Ltd.

This year’s edition also features specialized pavilions to global buyers, including the China Gold Association Pavilion, the Baolin Pavilion, the Korea Pavilion, and the Designer Pavilion.

Meanwhile, the China Jewellery Market Summit returns from its successful launch last year. “The inaugural edition of the China Jewellery Market Summit in 2014 was welcomed warmly by participants. The summit returns this year with even more informative topics that are sure to engage everyone,” said Celine Lau, director of Jewellery Fairs, UBM Asia Ltd. “We have also allocated more resources to provide a bespoke platform for jewelry companies to launch new products.”

The China Jewellery Market Summit 2015 will be held Tuesday at the New Product Launch and Forum Area in Hall 9 and starts at 2:30 pm. Co-organizer is Jewellery News Asia. The Summit is divided into two main parts: 2015 New Products Launch - Jewellery Parade, and Dialogue with China Jewellery Brands and Retailers.

The summit includes fashion shows and a series of forums on a range of industry-related topics, particularly the opportunities and challenges in China's jewellry retail market. Chan Sai Cheong, executive director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd is the keynote speaker. 

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes website.

5-Carat Pink Diamond Fetches $5.7 Million, Natural Pearl Necklace Sets World Auction Record

A 5.29-carat purplish pink diamond sold for more than $5.7 million at Christie’s New York Magnificent Jewels sale Tuesday. The fancy intense gem was the top lot sold at the auction, surpassing its $5 million high estimate and fetching just under $1.1 million per carat.

Natural pearls were also in high demand Tuesday. The second-highest lot of the sale was a four-strand natural colored pearl necklace that sold for nearly $5.1 million, setting a world auction record for a natural colored pearl necklace. 

The necklace comprises four strands of 81, 76, 69 and 63 natural gray and brown pearls, measuring approximately 12.65 to 4.90 mm. The Swiss Gemmological Institute report confirms the authenticity of these saltwater natural pearls that, according to the report, have no indication of artificial color modification.

In addition, a single-strand natural pearl necklace was also among the top 10 lots. Designed as a graduated strand of 46 natural pearls, measuring 6.95 to 11.90 mm, they are joined by a marquise-cut diamond clasp, mounted in platinum, it sold for just over $1 million.

Rahul Kadakia, International head of Christie’s Jewelry, noted that colored diamonds and the jewelry creations of JAR also performed well with “spirited bidding.”

Graff Diamonds had two of its pieces sell among the top 10 lots. A pear-shaped D-color potentially internally flawless diamond pendant of 25.49 carats, was the third highest lot of the sale, fetching more than $3.4 million ($134,000 per carat) (pictured dangling from a diamond necklace); and a cushion-cut D-color potentially internally flawless diamond of 11.03 carats sold for more than $1.3 million ($120,000 per carat).

Whether diamonds or gems, color remains extremely popular on the auction market. Among the top sellers of the auction were a 5.04-carat circular-cut fancy gray-blue diamond that sold for nearly $2.3 million (pictured above); and a 9.40-carat cushion-shaped Burmese ruby that sold for more than $2.1 million, more than double its $1 million high estimate (pictured below).

JAR jewelry continues to command high prices. A pair of emerald, diamond and colored diamond ear clips sold for $845,000, smashing its $350,000 high estimate (below). It was the ninth highest selling lot of the auction.

Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale totaled more than $41.9 million, with 77 percent sold by lot and 77 percent sold by value.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes website.

Sultan of Brunei’s Son Is Married in Gold, Diamond and Emerald Splendor, Video and Pictures

Photo credit: The Brunei Times

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, one of the wealthiest men in the world, showed off his abundance in an extravagant wedding for his youngest child, Prince Abdul Malik, held Sunday in the throne room of the Monarch’s 1,788-room palace. It was the highlight of a 10-day wedding celebration that ended April 15. 

The 31-year-old prince and his new wife, Dayangku Raabi'atul 'Adawiyyah Pengiran Haji Bolkiah, were officially presented to dignitaries around the world in gold, diamond and emerald splendor. 

Photo credit: The Brunei Times

According to the Daily Mail and other media outlets, the couple wore matching outfits made of gold. The outfit of the 22-year-old bride, reportedly a former data systems analyst, was studded with diamonds and large emeralds. She wore a sparkling diamond tiara embedded with six large pear-shaped emeralds along with a large diamond necklace with at least 15 emeralds of various sizes and what appears to be a diamond and emerald bracelet on each wrist and at least one diamond emerald ring. 

Her bouquet, instead of flowers, was made of gems and precious metals in the shape of flowers. She reportedly wore Christian Louboutin shoes encrusted with Swarovski crystals and finished with a gold ankle bracelet.

Her translucent veil was topped with a second diamond tiara, set with rubies and a scarlet gem in the center. She also reportedly had a second diamond rope-like necklace. 



This doesn’t count the gold and diamond embellishments worn by the prince nor the gold in the throne room where the couple were officially married. 

For the banquet following the wedding service, the bride wore a beaded purple gown and a diamond necklace and crown set with rubies.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes website.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Ruby Jewels Among Highlights of Christie’s Geneva Auction

Van Cleef & Arpels ruby and diamond ear pendants and a matching ring from the property of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis will be one of the signature items at Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels sale on May 13. 

The jewels were presented as a wedding gift by Aristotle Onassis in 1968. Its estimate is $250,000 – $350,000.

A piece with even more historical significance and a higher price tag is the Maria Christina Royal Devant-de-Corsage brooch. Another item that was presented as a wedding gift in November 1879 from King Alfonso XII of Spain to his wife, the Archduchess Maria Christina of Austria, soon to be Queen Consort and then Queen Regent of Spain. The brooch, currently in the collection of Baroness Thyssen-Bornemizsa, is expected to fetch $1.5 to $2 million, according to the auction house.

Maria Christina wearing the Royal Devant-de-Corsage brooch

While these two items have historical significance, they are by no means the most expensive of the auction of 351 jewels and gems that is expected to achieve more than $80 million.

The sale includes a number of statement diamonds and gems led by a 55.52-carat pear shaped D-color, Flawless diamond that has an estimate of $8.5 million to $10.5 million (pictured above); a 5.18-carat rectangular-cut Fancy Vivid Pink diamond (estimate $9.5 million – $12.5 million) (pictured below); and a 21.75-carat Ashoka-cut D-color Flawless diamond ring (estimate: $2.8 million – $3.5 million).

Gemstone highlights include “The Pride of Burma,” a 6.25-carat cushion shaped Burmese ruby and diamond ring (estimate: $1.8 million – $2.5 million), a pair of antique emerald Indian bangles (estimate: $1.5 million – $2 million) (both pictured below), and a 35.09-carat, cushion shaped Kashmir sapphire (estimate: $3 million to $4.2 million).

Another highlight includes a large single-strand natural saltwater pearl necklace with an estimate of $2.5 million to $3.5 million (pictured below).

Among signature jewels is an early example of JAR’s work: a pair of tourmaline and agate camellia brooches, circa 1985 with an estimate of $140,000 – $170,000 (pictured below).

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes website.