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