Rare Blue Diamond

A rare fancy-deep-grayish-blue diamond ring with a high estimate of $8 million is set to lead Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale in New York next month. 

The cushion-cut, 7.55-carat, type IIb, SI2-clarity stone, called the Indian Blue, is valued at $6 million to $8 million, and displays a red phosphorescence typically found in diamonds from the Golconda mine in India, or from South Africa, Sotheby’s said last week. 

A bracelet containing 200 Argyle diamonds ranging in color from intense pink to red is also set to go under the hammer at the December 10 sale. The piece, created by New York jeweler Carvin French, is estimated at approximately $3 million. 

Sotheby’s will also offer a fancy-vivid-yellow diamond and sapphire clip-brooch, set with a round-cornered square brilliant-cut 14.37-carat yellow diamond, accented with cabochon sapphires and round diamonds. The brooch, created by Verdura to look like an iris, carries a presale estimate of $1.6 million to $2.4 million. A 27.96-carat, H-color, VVS2-clarity diamond ring from a private US collector, valued at $1 million to $1.5 million, will also feature at the sale. 

Also up for auction are several collections, including 16 pieces from Mary Duncan Sanford, a former silent-film actress, socialite, philanthropist, and the wife of international polo player Stephen “Laddie” Sanford.

Jewels belonging to Princess Natalie Paley, the daughter of the Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich, uncle of the last Russian czar, will also go under the hammer. The collection of the former Vogue model and wife of a Broadway producer and director includes an emerald and diamond clip-brooch, and a gold, platinum and diamond brooch. 

Other notable items include jewelry by artist Salvador Dali and pieces from Australian twin-brother team David Michael Jewels, which will be offered at auction for the first time. 

Sotheby’s will showcase the pieces in its New York galleries beginning December 5, it said.

John Bassett