Three New Cartier Watches For 2019

By Tiziana Agnati
Accredited journalist and influencer specializing in luxury jewelry 

The first big luxury watch trade fair of the year, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH), will be held January 14 – 17 in Geneva and Cartier as always will be the center of attention. The French luxury brand has provided a preview of limited edition watches that will be revealed at the SIHH. They will be available to the public later this year. 

These three timepieces fuse the aesthetic of a past era with the precision of modern technology appearing in gorgeous tones of burgundy, emerald and gold. These watches speak to a modern trend for wearing timepieces so beautiful they almost outclass jewelry, allowing women to streamline their accessories day and night with one dramatic piece. 

Cartier Libre

Cartier Libre is at the forefront of this trend, with watches that fuse femininity with glittering extravagance, playing with the Maison’s many signature forms and aesthetics. First up is the Tank Chinoise Red Watch, which is known for its rectangular face, rows of precious stones, and its historical importance. Designed in 1921, its unusual shape has become iconic for nearly a century, and now it has been imbued with particularly strong symbolism in China: red. The dial is bordered by two lintels of rubies, while a line of diamonds adorns the edges. The contrast between the two stones emphasizes the original Chinese temples architectural reference of the watch.

Cartier Diagonale

Next up is the Diagonale, which pays homage to Cartier’s heritage of disrupting the classics with unusual designs that delight the eye. With a minuscule dial distinctively stamped with Cartier’s watchmaking codes, this piece features an arresting crisscross design, highlighted by two diagonal rows of brilliant-cut diamonds. 

Cartier Baignoire Allongée

Finally, there is the Baignoire Allongée, which comes in celadon or black, the most ornate of the trio. This watch is gloriously creative and a spectacle in a timepiece. It is studded with emeralds and Paraiba tourmalines, black spinels, yellow sapphires or diamonds, threatening to outdo even the most dramatic of gowns. In moonlight or by candlelight each gemstone becomes a minuscule speck of color, while the dial is paved with diamonds that sparkle at night. It is an elegant timepiece that can be handed down for generations. 

Cartier is a brand that disrupts and endures. This means owning a Cartier watch is like having a piece of art on your wrist. 

Tiziana Agnati is a journalist and influencer specializing in luxury jewelry with digital expertise. Learn more about her on her Linkedin profile where she communicates regularly with 100,000 followers. 

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Cartier Unveils ‘Precious Garage’ Installation To Introduce Juste un Clou And Écrou de Cartier II Jewels For Fashion Week

A gold-painted wire-frame car greeted those entering the Cartier Fifth Avenue Mansion Thursday night. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

Cartier on Thursday unveiled its “Precious Garage” concept just in time for New York Fashion Week, turning its iconic Fifth Avenue Mansion into a luxurious garage filled with glittering, glowing car parts.

Oil cans, oil drums and tire rims were scattered throughout the Cartier Fifth Avenue Mansion. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

The concept was designed for Cartier by Desi Santiago, the New York-based artist who is known for bridging art and fashion. It was used to introduce the newest introductions of the Juste un Clou and Écrou de Cartier jewelry collections.

The stage is set for Swedish singer-songwriter, Lykke Li. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

The Juste un Clou is based on a nail and the Écrou de Cartier uses a lug nut motif. Juste un Clou is one of Cartier’s most popular jewelry collections created in the 1970s by Aldo Cipullo for Cartier New York. This year, Cartier focused on slimmer versions of bracelets and rings. The bracelets are available in 18k rose and yellow gold for $3,050 and the rings in 18k white, rose and yellow gold from $1,120 to $1,200.

A futuristic looking car factory with robotic holding jewelry displays. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

The Écrou de Cartier collection, introduced in 2017, uses a hexagonal hardware nut to create a complimentary line of jewelry for the Juste un Clou. The Écrou de Cartier II pieces introduced at the event are an 18k yellow gold bracelet for $6,600 and 18k white, yellow and rose gold ring from $2,300 to $2,470.

The newest version of the Juste un Clou bracelet. Photo credit: Cartier

Swedish singer-songwriter Lykke Li performed on a stage backed by car parts. Guests included Zoe Saldana, Armie Hammer, Justin Theroux, Lily Collins, Troye Sivan, Sofia Coppola Suki Waterhouse, Taylor Hill, Charlotte Lawrence, Athena Calderone, Kat Graham, Marcel Floruss, May Kwok, Mia Moretti, Molly Sims, Moti Ankari, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Peter Brandt Jr. and Rachel Zoe.

The newest version of the Écrou de Cartier II bracelet. Photo credit: Cartier

The Precious Garage installation at the Cartier Fifth Avenue Mansion, 653 Fifth Ave., will be open to the public till September 26. Hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. till 7 p.m., and Sunday, noon till 6 p.m.

A tool cabinet filled with chocolate wrenches and nails and cookies in the shape of lug nuts. Photo by Anthony DeMarco

Following the opening event Thursday, a pop up version of the Precious Garage experience gets packed into a gold-painted trailer and goes on the road, first to Nashville, Sept. 14 – 16, and then Seattle, Sept. 28 – 30.

Some of the crowd at the event. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

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Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron and Chaumet Will Return To La Biennale Paris In 2018

The entrance to the Grand Palais during the 2016 La Biennale Paris. Photo by Anthony DeMarco

The big news for jewelry lovers wasn’t even announced at the Tuesday press breakfast hosted by a few of the new board members of the La Biennale Paris (formerly known as Biennale des Antiquaires), the annual event held at the Grand Palais in Paris in September. 

In the world I cover the story is that the Place Vendôme jewelers—Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron and Chaumet—will return to La Biennale in 2018. These French brands and other jewelers (Wallace Chan and Bulgari among them) left the antiques fair last year when the new board reduced the size of the exhibition booths. The French brands were a centerpiece of the annual fair. Their popularity also led the antiques complain that they were getting too much of the spotlight. it is after all an antiques and art fair

Mathias Ary Jan, president of the National des Antiquaires (SNA), which owns and operates the fair, said was important that the thoroughly French fair welcome these jewelry brands back into the fold. It seemed that the jewelers were also eager to return. 

“They are a vital part of our French heritage,” he said following the event. “It was important to have them participate.” 

Also representing the fair at the press breakfast were Eric Coatalem, SNA treasurer, and Christopher “Kip” Forbes, president of the Biennale Commission, which oversees the event. 

The jewelry portion of La Biennale was reduced from 14 exhibitors in 2014 to four in 2016—Cindy Chao, de Grisogono, Boghossian and Nirav Modi. (There were 14 jewelers in 2014.) None were from France and only one, de Grisogono, showed previously at the fair a number of years ago. They will all return this year. 

In addition, for the first time the fair will host Swiss watchmakers. The two chosen were F. P. Journe and DeWitt are known for producing a small number of high-end hand-crafted timepieces. This followed last year’s special presentation at the fair of an historical non-selling timepiece exhibit by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, an organization tasked with preserving the historical heritage of high watchmaking. 

The 2017 La Biennale Paris will be open to the public September 11 – 17, with a private viewing September 10. To date, there are 92 confirmed exhibitors, a number they would like to see improve as there were 113 exhibitors last year. 

A total of 29 exhibitors are from outside France. There are no exhibitors from the U.S., something that the SNA would like to change. In this regard one of Forbes’ major tasks will be to attract U.S. exhibitors and collectors to what is considered one of the world’s most important antiques fairs. On Monday, Forbes, vice chairman of the Forbes Publishing and avid art collector, with the two SNA representatives, hosted a reception for about 50 collectors and gallery owners. 

“For the Biennale not to have any American exhibitors, is something this dynamic new president (Jan) will address,” Forbes said. Both Forbes and Jan spoke about the landmark Grand Palais as an attraction and as a symbol of the fair’s importance.

“One of the challenges of the Grand Palais is everybody has to almost have to compete with one of the most staggeringly breathtaking buildings in Paris,” Forbes said. “So you have to raise the bar pretty high.” 

The main news has been known for some time. This year marks the first time the fair will be held annually since its founding in 1962. The organization, for now at least, will not change the “Biennale” name. 

This new group of leaders are very aggressive in making changes to the event so there will be more news coming. 

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Cartier To Unleash The 'Panthère Studio' Millennial Experience

Cartier is bringing its prestigious brand downtown by offering a luxurious pop up experience at a popular New York restaurant. 

The luxury brand will launch Panthère Studio—a public-facing, experiential pop up promising to bring a customized, interactive experience to millennial audiences of New York. It will be held at the downtown French-Vietnamese restaurant, Indochine, May 20 and May 21. 

“We’re coming out of our boutiques and bringing the world of Cartier downtown, to engage with our clients—and future clients for that matter—where they live, work and play,” said Mercedes Abramo, president and CEO of Cartier North America. “We’re excited to introduce the iconic Panthère de Cartier watch to a fun, fearless new generation in such a unique, experiential way.”

It’s the first time the luxury brand is focused on presenting an experience rather than a retail-first environment. 

The theme will be the 1980s when the French luxury brand launched the Panthère de Cartier watch, featuring its iconic panther. The watch—with a square case, screwed-down bezel and linked brick-lay bracelet—was reintroduced this year. 

The Panthère Studio takeover of Indochine will include innovative and inherently shareable elements throughout the space, with live DJs, social media components and interactive photo experiences, including a Panthère ‘stacking bar,’ where guests can style their own Cartier looks with the Panthère watch.

Panthère de Cartier watch

Special guests will be in attendance throughout the weekend, including model and actress, Olivia Culpo.

Panthère Studio will be open to the public on Saturday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., with Olivia Culpo appearing from 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.; and on Sunday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

To sign up or for more information, follow this link.

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Christie’s To Offer Jackie Kennedy’s Cartier Tank Watch

December, 22, 1969: Jackie Onassis (1929 - 1994) pictured with her Cartier Tank watch. Photo by David Cairns/Express/Getty Images

One of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s most cherished items during her years as first lady and long after will be placed on auction next month.

Kennedy Onassis’s Cartier Tank watch is one of the high-profile items to appear at Christie’s New York Rare Watches and American Icons New York sale on June 21. Its estimate is $60,000 - $120,000.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis's Cartier Tank watch

It was a watch worn by the former first lady for decades and can be seen on her wrist in many photos, Christie’s said. It was given to her as a gift from her brother-in-law Prince Stanislaw “Stas” Radziwill in 1963. On the caseback is the engraving: "Stas to Jackie 23 Feb. 63 2:05 AM to 9:35 PM.” The times refer to the start and stop times of the 50-Mile Hike in Palm Beach in 1963.

The watch will be accompanied by an original painting that Kennedy Onassis made in 1963 as a gift for Stas Radziwill, celebrating the hike with the dedication “February 23, 1963, 2:05 am to 9:35 pm / Jackie to Stas with love and admiration.”

The engraved caseback of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Cartier Tank

The 50-mile hike became a short-lived fad in early 1963 after President Kennedy publicly asked the American people to accept the mentally and physically grueling challenge of walking this long distance, the auction house said. His inner circle of family and friends were some of the first to attempt the hike including his friends, Stas Radziwill and Chuck Spalding, featured in the painting.

This watch and the accompanying painting, previously unknown to the public, are two important historic artifacts to surface in recent years from the golden era of the Kennedy Presidency, Christie’s said.

The watch will be accompanied by an original painting that Kennedy Onassis made in 1963 as a gift for Stas Radziwill

“These two objects capture the spirit of another era, a time where friendship and the ‘can-do’ optimism of the generation seemed to make anything possible,” said John Reardon, international head of Christie’s Watches.

The owner of the watch and painting, who has requested anonymity, offered to donate a portion of the proceeds to the National Endowment for the Arts.

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Signed Jewels That Sparkle At Sotheby’s Hong Kong Sale

Unique pair of ruby and diamond bangles by Bhagat and a diamond, sapphire and emerald ‘Panthère’ Ring by Cartier. All photos courtesy of Sotheby's

Among the approximate 196 lots at Sotheby’s Hong Kong “Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite Spring Sale” are an Art Deco mystery clock by Cartier, a pair of ruby and diamond bangles by famed Indian designer, Bhagat, and a gem and diamond necklace by Mauboussin. 

You may have also heard about a particular 59.60-carat pink diamond known as the “Pink Star.” 

While the focus will be deservedly on the Pink Star, there are many other jewels, gems and art objects that will be offered at the April 4 sale at the at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Among the highlights are: 

Art Deco Gem Set and Diamond Mystery Clock, ‘Le Ciel’ by Cartier, 1928
This collection of clocks produced by Cartier between 1922 and 1931 incorporated antique Chinese jade carvings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Le Ciel is one of only thirteen clocks from the collection still known to exist, according to the auction house. The dial is embellished with bejeweled shooting stars and planets on a night sky. The dial is supported by two antique jade carps. Its estimate is $1.36 million - $1.81 million.

Important Jadeite and Diamond Demi-Parure
Being a Hong Kong sale, jadeite will always play starring role. The necklace in this set consists of seven highly translucent oval jadeite cabochons of brilliant emerald green color, embellished with circular-cut diamonds. It comes with a matching set of jadeite cabochon earrings. Its estimate is $2.58 million $3.87 million.

Gem Set and Diamond Pendent Necklace by Mauboussin
This colorful necklace by the Parisian jeweler features circular- and single-cut diamonds, embellished with sapphires, rubies and emeralds, accented by black enamel. The diamonds weigh approximately 18 carats. Its estimate is $765,000 - $970,000.

Fine Diamond Bracelet by Harry Winston
Designed as six rows of pear-shaped diamonds decorated with circular-cut diamonds, the platinum necklace has a total diamond weight of approximately 124.06 carats. Its estimate is $258,000 - $323,000.

Unique Pair of Ruby and Diamond Bangles by Bhagat
Sotheby’s refers to the Indian jewelry brand as “one of the greatest living jewelers,” with works that represent a fusion of artistry and craftsmanship that draws inspiration from classic Indian themes. Each bangle is set with 38 oval rubies (60 carats), to the edge of floral motifs embellished with circular-cut diamonds (30 carats). Its estimate is $252,000 - $361,000.

Diamond, Sapphire and Emerald ‘Panthère’ Ring by Cartier
This panther ring is pavé-set with circular-cut diamonds weighing approximately 4.50 carats, embellished with sapphire spots, emerald eyes and an onyx nose, mounted in platinum. Its estimate is $194,000 - 258,000. 

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Illustrated History Of High Jeweler Oscar Heyman To Be Released In April

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) will publish the first illustrated history of Oscar Heyman & Brothers, a U.S. high jewelry firm that has designed and crafted pieces for some of the world's most prestigious jewelry brands since 1912.

Oscar Heyman: The Jewelers’ Jeweler contains new photography of vintage and contemporary pieces created by the New York jewelry house, as well as design drawings from the firm’s archives. The book reveals Oscar Heyman’s important role in the story of high-style American jewelry.

The book is authored by Yvonne J. Markowitz, Rita J. Kaplan and Susan B. Kaplan, curator emerita of Jewelry at the MFA, and Elizabeth Hamilton, an independent writer and researcher. It is produced by MFA Publications, the publishing division of the museum. It will be available April 1 in the MFA Shops, retail bookstores and online. It is one of several titles dedicated to jewelry that have been produced by MFA Publications in recent years.

Oscar Heyman is known within the jewelry industry for creating pieces for some of the most prestigious jewelry brands in world, including Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels, Shreve, Crump & Low and Black, Starr & Frost. 

“For more than a century, Oscar Heyman & Brothers … has maintained a national reputation for outstanding ornaments set with superior gemstones,” Markowitz said. “Until recently, the Oscar Heyman name was unknown outside the jewelry world, as the company preferred anonymity and discretion, but today the brand is synonymous with dazzling, high-style jewels.”

Oscar Heyman & Brothers has been a family business since its establishment, now in its third generation. The company’s founding brothers, Oscar and Nathan, apprenticed at a workshop that produced high-style ornaments for the Russian court jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé before leaving Eastern Europe for New York. Within a few years, they established their own firm, distinctive for dynamic and contemporary designs, fine craftsmenship, technological sophistication and high-quality materials. Eventually, the other Heyman brothers joined the growing business, which remains entirely autonomous—maintaining in-house production of jewelry from inception through completion—to this day.

“It’s inspiring to see how far Oscar Heyman has come since my grandfather and great uncles started the business,” said Tom Heyman, partner at Oscar Heyman & Brothers. “Readers will come to appreciate our rich history and unique combination of engineering capabilities, technical skill and artistic style, which enable us to continue to create one-of-a-kind pieces.”

The publication tells the firm’s history from its beginnings at the turn of the 20th Century and traces its growth and innovation decade by decade. Nearly 70 ornaments are highlighted, demonstrating how the business adapted new aesthetics in response to the changing desires of consumers. The earliest examples include a 1929 platinum, diamond and emerald brooch from the MFA’s collection. Originally owned and frequently worn by the heiress and art collector Marjorie Merriweather Post, the brooch fuses design elements of Art Deco and the Edwardian era.

Major milestones detailed in the book include the firm’s participation in two New York World’s Fairs. In 1939, Oscar Heyman & Brothers manufactured ornaments for four prominent retailers on display at the “House of Jewels,” one of the most extravagant exhibition pavilions. Although unknown to the public, the firm’s involvement in the exhibition solidified its reputation among clients, as many retailers recognized the signature floral designs, exquisite craftsmanship and superior gems. The next New York World’s Fair, held in 1964, did not have a dedicated jewelry pavilion but Oscar Heyman & Brothers designed the official commemorative necklace in partnership with the Linde Star Company.

The publication also contains 15 design drawings from the Oscar Heyman Archive. These include designs for patriotic World War II ornaments, such as brooches featuring the American eagle, as well as for a diamond and emerald necklace that was made in 1956 and gifted decades later to Elizabeth Taylor by Michael Jackson. 

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8-Carat ‘Sky Blue Diamond’ Could Be Yours For $25 Million

The latest blue diamond to come up for auction is an 8.01-carat fancy vivid blue diamond being called the “Sky Blue Diamond.” It is the top item in Sotheby’s auction of Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels in Geneva to be held November 16. 

The ring set on a Cartier mount surrounded by white diamonds, has a presale estimate of $15 - $25 million.

Describing the diamond, David Bennett, worldwide chairman of Sotheby’s International Jewellery Division, said, “The Sky Blue Diamond is of a wonderfully clear celestial blue, presented in an extremely elegant square emerald cut—in my view, the most flattering of all the cuts for a colored diamond.”

In recent years, colored diamonds have been highly prized at auctions with blue diamonds being the most sought after—setting numerous records. Among them:

* The 14.62-carat “Oppenheimer Blue” diamond, which sold for more than $57.5 million at Christie’s Geneva in May, setting a world record for any jewel sold at auction. 

* The 12.03-carat “Blue Moon of Josephine,” which sold for $48.4 million at Sotheby’s Geneva, November 2015, setting a world record for the price per carat for any diamond or gem at just over $4 million.

* The 9.75-carat Zoe Diamond, which sold for more than $32.5 million at Sotheby’s New York, November 2014.

* The 10.10-carat Millennium Blue Fancy, which sold for more than $31.8 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, April 2016.

* The 24.18-carat “Cullinan Dream,” which sold for $25.3 million at Christie’s New York in June. 

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Stanislas de Quercize Resigns As Cartier CEO, Richemont Sales Up 15%

Stanislas de Quercize, CEO of luxury jeweler Cartier, has requested that he be allowed to step down from his current position for personal reasons, effective immediately, Compagnie Financière Richemont announced Friday. The Swiss luxury goods holding company owns 19 luxury brands, including Cartier, which is its flagship brand. 

De Quercize has been CEO at Cartier since 2012 and has been with Richemont since 1990, serving in leadership positions with several brands, including CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels. He will also resign from Richemont’s Group Management Committee but will remain as a Group executive, taking over the role of chairman of Richemont France.

Cyrille Vigneron, currently the president of LVMH Japan, will succeed de Quercize on Jan. 1, 2016. Prior to joining the LVMH Group, Vigneron worked with Richemont from 1988 to 2013, principally with Cartier, rising to become managing director of Cartier Japan, president of Richemont Japan and managing director of Cartier Europe.

As CEO of Cartier, Vigneron will become a member of Richemont’s Group Management Committee. 

“Stanislas de Quercize has had a superb career to date, having worked with Cartier, Montblanc and Alfred Dunhill prior to taking up positions as chief executive of Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier,” Johann Rupert, Richemont chairman said in a statement. “We deeply regret that Stanislas has decided to stand down but must accept his decision.”

Richemont made the announcement just prior to releasing its half-year results, ended September 30, showing that sales increased by 15 percent year-over-year to 5.82 billion euro ($6.32 billion). The increase was 3 percent at constant exchange rates. Net profit for the period increased 22 percent to 1.1 billion euro ($1.19 billion), while operating margin was 24 percent, down from 26 percent for the same period of the prior year. 

“Strong growth in our Maisons’ retail sales compensated for the decline in wholesale demand, which was principally driven by the Asia Pacific region. Jewelry sales grew strongly; this product area now accounts for one third of the Group’s sales,” Rupert said. “The impact of exchange rate volatility, in particular the strengthening of the Swiss franc, was largely absorbed through price adjustments and administrative cost controls. Operating profit in the period increased by 6 percent. This growth and the movements in currency gains and losses contributed to a net profit increase of 22 percent.”

In addition to Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, Richemont owns 17 other luxury brands, primarily in the watch and jewelry categories, including Montblanc, Vacheron Constantin and Piaget. 

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25-Carat Ruby Ring By Cartier Fetches World Auction Record $30.4 Million

Additional reporting by Gretchen Friedrich, Jewelry News Network social media manager

The 25.59-carat “Sunrise Ruby” by Cartier smashes estimates to fetch $30.38 million, a world record for a price of a ruby at auction. It was the surprising top lot Sotheby’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels Sale held Tuesday at the Hôtel Beau-Rivage. 

Known as the “Sunrise Ruby,” it’s described as a “unique treasure of nature” by the Swiss Gemmological Institute. The ruby didn’t receive 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. 

The ruby was the high point in a jewelry auction that saw many highs, taking in approximately $134 million, with 93.5 percent of the 484 lots sold. The top ten results were a mix of colored gems and diamonds along with white diamonds, natural pearls and three other Cartier jewels. 

Going into the auction, the top lot was expected to be the “Historic Pink,”  (pictured above) an 8.72-carat Fancy Vivid Pink diamond that the auction house described as “extremely rare and highly important.” This turned out to be the second highest lot of the sale, fetching $16 million, within its estimate. The jewel is 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. 

A custom-made diamond necklace of more than 190 carats by Cartier (pictured above) sold for $7.25 million. The piece was designed as a cascade of diamonds, the front accented with a floral motif and suspending a fringe of nine pear-shaped stones.

Despite an auction season that has had its share of high and lows, one category of jewelry that continues to see consistently higher prices are natural pearls. This auction didn’t disappoint as three pearl jewels were among the top 10 lots.

The first was a natural pearl and diamond necklace that has at least least some Cartier lineage (signed clasp and case stamp) that sold for $7 million (pictured above), well above its high estimate. It is composed of two graduated strands of 78 natural pearls on a clasp set with a marquise-shaped diamond weighing 4.39 carats.

In addition, a single strand necklace composed of a graduated row of natural pearls measuring from 7.95 to 12.40mm, on a barrel clasp set with brilliant-cut diamonds sold for $3.8 million, totally obliterating its high estimate of approximately $527,000.

The other Cartier pieces that sparkled at the auction were a brooch set with a 30.23-carat Kashmir sapphire that sold for $6.1 million; and sapphire and diamond earrings of the same design made with two Burmese Mogok sapphires of 15.77 and 16.90 carats. This sold for $3.43 million, well above its high estimate.

The other top lots are as follows:

* A 32-carat colorless diamond ring sold for more than $4 million. It was one of two colorless diamonds among the top 10 lots.

* The other was a pair of earrings each suspending a cushion-shaped diamond weighing 10.02 and 10.03 carats, from a line of single-cut diamonds, which sold for $3.2 million.

* Rounding out the top 10 was a natural pearl and diamond ear clips that sold for $3.2 million.

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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).

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