BOSTON, Mass – May 30, 2012 – Skinner, Inc. will host an auction of Fine Jewelry in its Boston gallery on Tuesday, June 12, 2012. The sale will feature over 550 lots of fine jewelry, including diamonds, natural pearls, colored stones and signed pieces by makers such as Buccellati, David Webb, Angela Cummings, Cartier, Schlumberger, and Van Cleef & Arpels.
Important Art Deco Platinum and Diamond Pendant Necklace, Cartier, New York, set with a pear-shape diamond weighing 7.93 cts., and a kite-shape diamond weighing approx. 0.70 cts., and a baguette, lg. 1 3/8 in. suspended from a diamond chain set with 133 diamonds, lg. adjustable from 24 3/4 to 17 1/8 in., pendant signed and numbered 350, boxed. Note: Accompanied by GIA report no. 2145565763, dated April 5, 2012, stating that the pear-shape diamond is F color, VS1 clarity. Estimate:$200,000-300,000
Fine Diamonds
An exquisite Art Deco pendant necklace by Cartier is on offer at the sale. Featuring a pear-shaped diamond, weighing 7.93 cts., this piece is accompanied by a GIA certificate, stating that the diamond is F color, VS1 clarity (lot 580, estimated between $200,000 and $300,000). Another important piece is a Tiffany & Co., Art Deco, cushion-cut diamond ring weighing 3.92 cts., accompanied by a GIA certificate stating the diamond is D color, VS1 clarity (lot 579, $60,000 to $80,000).
Other diamond solitaires of interest include a square, emerald-cut diamond weighing 4.23 cts. (lot 434, $50,000 to $60,000); a rectangular step-cut diamond weighing 5.62 cts. (lot 570, $40,000 to $50,000); and a lovely Art Deco example set with an old European-cut diamond weighing approximately 4.45 cts. (lot 551, $20,000 to $30,000).
Unmounted diamonds include an emerald-cut example weighing 3.05 cts., accompanied by a GIA report stating the diamond is a D color, IF clarity, with no fluorescence (lot 432, $90,000 to $110,000), and a full-cut diamond weighing 10.10 cts. (lot 429, $25,000 to $35,000).
Natural Pearls
Natural pearl necklaces have been bringing extraordinary prices at auction recently. The June sale features two such items including a five-strand natural pearl necklace with an emerald and diamond clasp (lot 576, $25,000 to $35,000) and a double strand natural pearl necklace (lot 564, $15,000 to $20,000).
Colored Stones
Colored stones are featured in the upcoming sale highlighted by an antique Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring, set with a cabochon sapphire weighing 9.92 cts., accompanied by an AGL report and a Gubelin report stating Kashmir origin, with no evidence of heat treatment (lot 566, $30,000 to $50,000). Also on offer is a sapphire and diamond ring set with a cabochon sapphire weighing approx. 80.00 cts., accompanied by an AGL report stating Ceylon origin with no evidence of heat treatment (lot 522, $10,000 to $15,000); and an unusual, unmounted natural deep purple star sapphire weighing 195.05 cts., accompanied by an AGL report stating natural color with no evidence of heat treatment (lot 66, $3,000 to $5,000).
Signed Jewelry
Two important signed pieces of note include an Arts and Crafts gold opal and pearl double sided cross pendant necklace by Edward Oakes, circa 1930 (lot 343, $8,000 to $10,000). This lot is accompanied by a letter of authentication from Susan Oakes Peabody, in which she states, “I have had the pleasure of viewing many of Grandfather’s crosses and own one. This is by far the most beautiful I have seen.” Also of interest is an important silver and labradorite master brooch by Georg Jensen (lot 96, $3,000 to $5,000). This large brooch composed of foliate motifs is pictured in author Janet Drucker’s book Georg Jensen: A Tradition of Splendid Silver.
In addition, there is a nice selection of contemporary jewelry signed by famous makers, including a gold and diamond cuff bracelet by Buccellati (lot 520, $12,000 to $15,000), a hardstone rose bangle by Angela Cummings (lot 516, $8,000 to $12,000), a whimsical gold, lapis and enamel frog ring by David Webb (lot 514, $2,500 to $3,500), and a pair of cultured pearl and diamond earclips, Schlumberger, Tiffany & Co. (lot 523, $3,000 to $5,000). Other famous makers represented include Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Belperron, Tony Duquette, Jean Mahie and Elizabeth Locke.
Previews, Catalogue, and Bidding
Previews for the auction will be held on Sunday, June 10, 2012, 12 p.m.-5 p.m. and Monday, June 11, 2012, 12 p.m.-7 p.m.
Illustrated catalogue #2601B is available by mail from the subscription department at #508-970-3240. It is also available at the gallery. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. Skinner’s site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, order catalogues, and bid live in real-time through SkinnerLive!
