Marie Antoinette Pink Diamond Tops Sold-Out Christie’s Auction 

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Marie-Thérèse Pink diamond ring at Christie's image

A JAR ring with a pink diamond thought to have belonged to Marie Antoinette was the star of the most recent jewelry sale at Christie’s in New York, doubling its estimate to bring in $14 million. 

The piece features the Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond, a kite-shaped, 10.38-carat, fancy-purple-pink stone, which is believed to date back to the mid-18th century. It 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. The ring, which carried a high estimate of $7 million, set a world auction record for a JAR jewel, as well as a world record price for a fancy-purple-pink diamond, Christie’s said Wednesday.  

The June 17 Magnificent Jewels sale also showcased several private groupings, including those of philanthropists Anne Hendricks Bass and Lucille Coleman, as well as three Mughal jewels from a royal collection. 

In total, the auction scored $87.7 million, the highest-ever total for a various-owner jewelry auction at Christie’s in the Americas. All lots on offer at the sale found buyers. The white-glove result was the second for Christie’s this year, following its 100%-sold-out Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction, which brought in $72.4 million. 

“This season’s results highlight the tremendous demand for jewels of exceptional rarity, provenance and craftsmanship,” said Rahul Kadakia, international head of jewelry for Christie’s. “Private collections and superb jewels were met with enthusiastic and competitive bidding.” 

Here are the rest of the top 10 lots sold at the auction: 

Blue Belle necklace bears a cushion modified mixed-cut Ceylon sapphire that was discovered in 1926 at Christie's image
The Blue Belle necklace bears a cushion modified mixed-cut, 392.52-carat Ceylon sapphire that was discovered in 1926. It was later acquired in 1937 with the intention of being presented to Queen Elizabeth, later the Queen Mother, for the coronation of King George VI. It sold for $11.3 million, near the top end of its estimate. 
Necklace from around 1750 featuring five carved Colombian emeralds — three hexagonal and two pear-shaped, from the Mughal collection, at Christie's image
From the Mughal collection, this necklace from around 1750 has five carved Colombian emeralds — three hexagonal and two pear-shaped — weighing approximately 470, 294, 199.50, 108.50 and 106.50 carats. It more than doubled its $3 million high price to fetch $6.2 million. 
Necklace, with a hexagonal Colombian emerald center stone suspending a drop-shaped Colombian emerald, as well as two baroque-shaped emeralds, spinel, ruby and pearl, from the Mughal collection, at Christie's image
The second piece from the Mughal collection is this necklace, with a hexagonal Colombian emerald center stone suspending a drop-shaped Colombian emerald, together weighing 297 carats, as well as two baroque-shaped emeralds, spinel, ruby and pearl. It soared past its $3 million upper estimate to bring in $5.6 million. 
Unmounted round brilliant-cut diamond at Christie's image
This unmounted round brilliant-cut, 66.74-carat, D-color, VVS1-clarity diamond sold within its price range, garnering $3.8 million. 
Three-strand necklace comprising 45 spinel beads and 48 round and near-round natural pearls, from the Mughal collection, at Christie's image
The final Mughal jewel is this three-strand necklace comprising 45 spinel beads and 48 round and near-round natural pearls. It scored $3 million, demolishing its expected $2 million top price. 
Harry Winston necklace bearing a pear brilliant-cut diamond, a round brilliant-cut diamond and round, pear, emerald and marquise-shaped diamonds at Christie's image
This Harry Winston necklace bears a pear brilliant-cut, 17.50-carat, D-color, VVS1-clarity diamond, a round brilliant-cut, 5.01-carat, D-color, SI1-clarity diamond and round, pear, emerald and marquise-shaped diamonds. It went for $2.4 million, smashing its $1.8 million original estimate. 
Necklace featuring a pear brilliant-cut diamond pendant at Christie's image
A necklace featuring a pear brilliant-cut, 25.45-carat, D-flawless diamond pendant inched past its $2 million high price to achieve $2.3 million. 
Van Cleef & Arpels pendant earrings including two pear brilliant-cut diamonds, as well as smaller marquise, pear and round diamonds at Christie's image
These Van Cleef & Arpels pendant earrings include two pear brilliant-cut diamonds, one a D-color, VS1-clarity weighing 11.93 carats and the other a D-color, VVS2-clarity of 11.83 carats, as well as smaller marquise, pear and round diamonds. The piece, which carried a high estimate of $1.8 million, made $2 million.  
Harry Winston ring featuring an emerald-cut diamond center stone, flanked by shield-shaped diamonds at Christie's image
Another Harry Winston piece is this ring with an emerald-cut, 23.26-carat, D-color, internally flawless diamond center stone, flanked by shield-shaped diamonds. A buyer snapped it up for $1.8 million, just over its upper price. 

Main image: The Marie-Thérèse Pink diamond ring. (Christie’s)

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Marie Antoinette Pink Diamond Tops Sold-Out Christie’s Auction 

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