A pink-diamond necklace led the most recent jewelry auction at Phillips, smashing its high estimate to bring in $1.9 million following a “fierce” bidding battle.
The oval, 4.05-carat, fancy-intense-pink diamond pendant by Boodles was estimated at $800,000 to $1.2 million at the December 13 New York sale. It is one of eight lots in the top 10 that beat their presale high price tags.
In total, the sale garnered $7.4 million, with 81% of items on offer finding buyers.
“We are delighted to conclude the year on such a high note,” said Benoît Repellin, worldwide head of jewelry for Phillips. “With enthusiastic bidding across the globe — from Egypt, to Korea, to Brazil — the sale demonstrated the continued appeal for rare colored and colorless diamonds, as well as for exceptional signed pieces.”
Here are the rest of the top 10:
A round cut-cornered rectangular modified brilliant-cut, 30.65-carat, fancy-intense-yellow diamond ring sold for $693,300, exceeding its $500,000 high estimate.This round-cornered rectangular modified brilliant-cut, 8-carat, D-color, internally flawless diamond ring by Boodles fetched $529,200, above its $350,000 upper presale price.A ring by Tiffany & Co. set with a rectangular step-cut, 7.25-carat, Colombian emerald between shield-shaped diamond shoulders made around 1915 also went under the hammer. It fetched $428,400, more than five times its $80,000 high estimate.Phillips sold this modified rectangular brilliant-cut, 6.62-carat, fancy-brown-pink diamond ring for $226,800, more than triple its $60,000 upper price.A pear-shaped, 15.15-carat, L-color, VS2-clarity diamond ring scored $214,200. It had a presale estimate of $120,000 to $180,000.This brilliant-cut, 5.06-carat, E-color, VVS2-clarity diamond ring went for $189,000, within its $150,000 to $200,000 presale price range.A Graff ring bearing a brilliant-cut, 14.80-carat diamond with O-to-P color and VS1-clarity sold for $126,000, within its $110,000 to $180,000 estimate.This Boodles ring has an oval-shaped, 3.46-carat, fancy-vivid-yellow diamond. The piece brought in $126,600, beating its $100,000 high price.A ring by David Michael bears an oval-shaped, 15.56-carat pink spinel, surmounted by a 3.01-carat spessartite garnet and brilliant-cut diamonds. It fetched $88,200 against a high estimate of $75,000.
Main image: The 4.05-carat pink diamond necklace by Boodles. (Phillips)