World Record Ring, Marilyn Monroe & Auction Results

   Marilyn Monroe was an American Icon and whatever she wore be it perfume clothes or shoes she had an everlasting touch on pop culture.  Her style even now after so many years after her death, is timeless and classic. Recently at Juliens auctions in New York held an auction featuring celebrities items.  One of the items up on the auction block was a pair of rhinestone earrings that Marilyn Monroe had worn to the premier of a movie with Marlon Brando in 1955 titled "The Rose Tattoo".  They sold for an incredible $185,000! The last time they were on the auction was in 1999 at Christies.  A substantial amount considering that they are costume and made of rhinestones!

                                                                                 

Marilyn Monroe Rhinestone Earrings 


Christies had an auction on April and as usual the results were quite staggering!  A fabulous pair of diamond earrings weighing an impressive 44.26 carats sold for a jaw dropping $8.65 Million dollars.  The pre auction estimate was from $7 - $10 million dollars.  And with that sale price, they didnt disappoint! They were sold to Middle Eastern trade buyer.

This superb fancy intense pink diamond weighing 6.10cts by Harry Winston sold for $5.765Million dollars.  Close to the top range. The for the pre auction estimate was $5.0 - $7.0Million.  This stone is of exceptional and is classified as " Type IIa diamonds are the most chemically pure type of diamond and often have exceptional optical transparency. Type IIa diamonds were first identified as originating from India (particularly from the Golconda region) but have since been recovered in all major diamond-producing regions of the world. Among famous gem diamonds, the 530.20 carat Cullinan and the 105.60 carat Koh-i-noor, are examples of Type IIa 

What is even more beautiful than these diamond pendants (and other items were from the private collection of Riki and Jerome Shaw of Coconut Grove, Florida Our neighbors to the south) is that ALL the proceeds from their items went to an animal sanctuary.  They are very philanthropic in that they believe in better care and quality of life for all animals. To that I say Bravo!! In total their items that were auctioned raised $8.6 Million dollars~ 


I always enjoy watching and participating in the various jewelry auctions. Bonhams has had some beautiful antique jewelry go on the auction block.  Right now the trend is signed vintage jewelry (the best jewelry houses) large diamonds/colored diamonds.  Bonhams recently had an auction on April 9th New York City with items from the estate of San Franciscan Docent Patricia Mitau Rhein.  She was a colorful well known ceramicist, photographer and Japanese brush painter. She had passed away on April 26th 2013. She was a 4th generation San Franciscan and was very involved in the art community.

File photo of Patricia Mitau Rhein

"A sapphire and diamond “Wrapped Heart” brooch, Verdura set with sapphire cabochons, enhanced by pavé set diamond ribbon; signed Verdura; total sapphire weight: 76.53 carats total; total diamond weight: 3.12 carats total; mounted in platinum and eighteen karat gold; length: 2in. The brooch sold for $68,750".  What a stunning piece of jewelry, and in my own personal opinion for a low price! Here are a few of her other items that were also auctioned, the total price for the 185 lots was $4.3Million dollars. 

                
           A stunning  Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond Brooch, circa 1925, sold for $137,000

  Verdura is a jewelery company  that was started in the United States that wad founded by Duke Fulco di Verdura in 1890.. He had worked with Gabrielle " Coco" Chanel, also Salvador Dali among many others.  His signature style is large gemstones, gold, cuffs and rather large statement pieces of jewelry. His pieces are stunning. The famous Maltese cuff bracelet he had created for Chanel is one of his famous trademarks.  His style is evident and can be recognized at a moments glance.

 Who can ever tire of large gems? and the amazing stories and owners that possessed them?  Florence Jay Gould was a philanthropist that was the daughter in law of railroad magnate Jay Gould. She left a prosperous career in signing opera. She was born in 1895 and was Jay Goulds 3rd wife. She had an impressive collection of jewelry and it was estimated that the value of the jewels and paintings was around $100million dollars, by 1983 standards.


 

101.00 carat Daffodil yellow fancy intense diamond ring by Graff

    

A superb necklace that was up for auction in 1984, by Van Clef (the center sapphire is 114cts!)

If you're a lover of jewelry or a rockhound that has an appreciate for ALL gems and minerals  then this next auction is for you.  Bonhams is an auction house that is based in London and sells art, gems, jewelry, artifacts and antiquities.  But on May 24th Bonhams is holding an Auction titled "Gems, Minerals, Lapidary Works of Art and Natural History.  I have been a lover of gems and rocks since I was 2, so to have an auction that is just dedicated to the beauty and rarity of some of these gems is mind boggling!

Lot 1023

Rock Crystal Reverse Intaglio Carving with Citrine Lions on a Black Obsidian Base--"Cleopatra on the Temple Steps"

US$ 9,000 - 12,000
£5,400 - 7,100

 

Property from the Estate of Carey A. Parshall, Stamford, CT

Carved Rock Crystal and Gem-set Sculpture--"The Mayan Warrior"

Depicting a Mayan warrior, carved of rock crystal quartz with polished and matte surfaces, decorated with a large bezel-set turquoise to the front and sides and two applied carved malachite ornaments to the ears. Raised on a black onyx base of tapering form with silver accents at the corners and bezel-set turquoise embellishments. Height 12inches 

It just goes to show the amazing amount of craftsmanship and skill their truly is in the world when it comes to carvings. Myself personally I have always been fond of animals carved in natural gemstones.  There is an innate beauty in them.  But my collection pales in comparison to the 460 lots that are up for bid. I could imagine the bidders for this uctin, all gem lovers looking to add a few sparklers to their collection~ 


Keep Sparkling until next time~

12in

  

$55 Million Dollar Watch, BaselWorld Jewelry & Royal Jewels!

  Pablo Picasso was a world renown artist, sculptor, painter and little was known that he was also a jeweler. An auction was held at Skinners auction on March 18th with jewelry items that were created earlier in his career.  The prices are much higher than they had anticipated. I had written a post about the auction this month. Here's the run down on the final hammer prices and they are head spinning!  The original estimates for each piece was $15,000 - $20,000. Lovely pieces that were made earlier in his long career.

A silver brooch depicting Picasso’s son Claude as a boy in profile sold for $92,250

A sterling sun pendant sold for $140,000!

A silver pendant, featuring the familiar Picasso satyr motif, sold for $153,000!

  Hailed as the most expensive watch in the world Graff unveiled a watch at Art Basel in Switzerland that contains 110 carats of colored diamonds that come from Laurence Graffs personal diamond collection. Its taken thousands of hours to create this amazing timepiece. It is stunning!  But I'd love to see it on a wrist to see the actual size.  No mention if its for sale or who would be interested in purchasing the watch. But it is breathtaking~

The world most expensive watch 110cts of colored diamonds

Just superb!!

   And on the topic of watches at Baselworld in Switzerland Louis Vuitton showcased their watches for men and women. In 2011 Louis Vuitton acquired the La Fabrique du Temps manufacture intent on creating complex watches. The Louis Vuitton Escale Worldtime watch is hand painted and can give you the time in many countries.
"The dial itself is comprised of a series of rings integrated into the movement. These rings are hand-painted with the names of the cities and corresponding emblems inspired by the monograms used on vintage Louis Vuitton trunks. There are 38 colors used on the dial and it takes over 50 hours for an artisan to hand-paint and fire the various rings. The Louis Vuitton logo and the yellow arrow are actually applied to the underside of the sapphire crystal and they sit suspended over the dial rings."  This stunner is priced at $67,000 and comes only in white gold. But this timepiece is truly a conversation starter!

Different countries enables the wearer to tell time anywhere in the world

Back of this superb timepiece

  Other diamond encrusted watches also made their appearance at Baselworld. Enough diamonds to make a girls head spin also by Louis Vuitton. These incredible watches take hundreds if not thousands of man hours to compete. I adore that Louis Vuitton calls the watchmakers, watchmaking aeteliers. True because it is such an art to create the movements and to set the diamonds.  they are truly extraordinary~

 

The watchmakers setting the diamonds in the dial of the Dentelle de Monograme

This has to be the most incredible watch in the entire collections. This lovely creation is the white gold Damier Absolue Riviere watch. Diamonds on the band, on the bezel and the dial. a true masterpiece!~

The sparkle from this watch must be blinding~

 A simpler watch that is just as striking in a more subdued way. Diamonds, Tahitian mother of pearl and satin band.

Dentelle de Monogram diamond and white gold watch

With auctions always a popular event when historic and or large diamonds are on the market, the excitment can build! A remarkable and historic emerald and diamond brooch is being auctioned at Christies April 16th in New York. This brooch by Van Clef and Arpels features an emerald that was a part of Marie Louise, (Napoleons second wife) jewelry set that was given to her by Napoleon on the event of their marriage in 1810.  After passing thru who knows how many hands the stone was sold to Van Clef in 1953. 

Center stone belong to Marie Louise, Napoleons second wife

  A few other spectacular diamonds will also be showcase at the same auction on April 16th.  This exceptional pair of D Internally flawless circular cut ear pendants with a total weight of 44.91cts. One stone weighs 22.60cts and 22.31cts.  Round diamonds of this size are extremely rare.  The estimate is from wait for it, $7 - $10Million!!! Just spectacular diamonds that must be divine when worn. 

D Internally flawless diamond ear pendants 44.71cts

   A mind blowing D Flawless 50.50cts diamond briolette is also up for auction and is expected to fetch $5.5 - $7.5Million.  It would be interesting to know where the stones came from, there history and who owned them. But what a beauty~

50.50cts D Flawless Diamond Briolette

   April is shaping up to be a month for some great auctions. An auction that always has beautiful quality items for sale is London based Phillips Auction house. The items they have are extraordinary and unique!  Here's a few of the ones that had caught my attention~

The highlights of the auction on April 30th at Phillips in London

Art Deco Emerald and Diamond Pearl Earrings, Diamond and emerald bracelet

Unheated Burma Ruby Bead and Diamond Dangle earrings

Diamond Engagement Ring and an Intense fancy vivid yellow diamond ring

 India has some of the most beautiful, ornate jewels that were created for the maharajahs .  There is a new exhibit featuring 300 sparkling jewels that span 500 years. Created just for the royalty of India. The gems are valued over $3.0 Million dollars and some of the items date back to the 17th century. They are going to be on display at the State Museum of Moscow Kremlin from April 12th - 27th.

Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patialahe was one of Cartiers top clients

Historic diamond and pearl necklace worn by the Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala

Polki diamond and gesmtone bib necklace~ the back is supposed to trail down the back

 If you are fortunate to be in Moscow or live there this is a once in a lifetime chance to see these historic jewels.  Here is a link to the museum http://www.kreml.ru/en/museums-moscow-kremlin/

 An ad of all things had caught my eye while reading  the latest trade magazines. The owner of a 17.48cts pear shaped natural fancy purplish/pink internally flawless diamond was stolen from its own in Switzerland  in 2012.  The stone is GIA certified and has significant value.  There is also a $1.0Million dollar REWARD. Since this stone has been missing for 2 years any guess its been recut and set and sold already.  But for the owners sake, I hope that they find their stone.  Here is the link if anyone happens to know any information~ http://www.stolenswissdiamond.com/

17.48cts Fancy natural Internally flawless diamond

   
                                                  Until next time, keep sparkling!!