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A 392.52-carat sapphire and diamond necklace is set to take center stage at an upcoming Christie’s jewelry auction in New York, carrying a high estimate of $12 million.
Called the Blue Belle, the piece contains a cushion modified mixed-cut Ceylon sapphire that was discovered in 1926. It was later acquired in 1937 with the intention of being presented to Queen Elizabeth, who later became the Queen Mother, for the coronation of King George VI, Christie’s said last week. Though the jewel never became part of the royal collection, it had several distinguished owners before it was offered at Christie’s Geneva auction in 2014, where it sold for CHF 17 million, or approximately $17.3 million at the time.
“Sapphires of this caliber are extraordinarily rare,” said Rahul Kadakia, international head of jewelry for Christie’s. “This remarkable stone must be considered among the most prestigious colored gemstones to appear on the market in many years — truly worthy of any world-class collection.”
Another important piece leading the sale is a JAR ring featuring the Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond, a kite-shaped, 10.38-carat, fancy-purple-pink expected to bring in up to $5 million. The stone, which is believed to date back to the mid-18th century, was allegedly included in a parcel Marie Antoinette entrusted to her most faithful hairdresser, along with other jewels from her collection, on the eve of her failed escape from Paris in 1791. The jewels made their way to her only surviving child, Duchess Marie Thérèse de Angoulême, before they were passed down through future family members.
In addition, the sale will feature important private collections, including those of philanthropists Anne Hendricks Bass and Lucille Coleman, as well three Mughal jewels with a combined total of 2,000 carats of emeralds.
Here are the rest of the top 10 jewels:
Main image: The Blue Belle necklace and the Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond. (Christie’s)
