It’s April and diamonds are the birthstone of this month. See previous stories on the history and more about the coveted gems here. But there is also some news around diamonds recently such as the largest white diamond ever to appear at auction, the luck of an estate dealer to find a piece with celebrity provenance, the number of diamonds worn during red carpet season, and antique/vintage diamond jewelry you will want to own.
HOT ROCKS
Christie’s Geneva recently announced ROCK (estimate: US$ 20,000,000-30,000,000), a 228.31- carat exceptionally rare pear-shaped diamond is the largest white diamond ever to appear for sale at auction. Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International Head of Jewellery explains “The Rock will join the very best of legendary gemstones which have passed through Christie’s global salerooms since 1766. The market for diamonds is particularly vibrant and we are confident that this sensational gem will capture the attention of collectors across the globe this spring season.”
The diamond which was mined and polished in South Africa over two decades ago will lead the which will lead the Geneva Magnificent Jewels sale on 11 May 2022.
It has been graded by the Gemological Institute of America as G color, VS1 clarity, and is also accompanied by a letter from the GIA stating that it is the largest existing D-Z color pear-shaped diamond ever graded by the laboratory. The Rock will be first be revealed at Christie’s Dubai from 26 to 29 March, before touring to Taipei and Rockefeller Plaza in New York from 29 April to 1 May. This exceptional diamond will then be on display to the public during Christie’s Luxury Week at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva from 6 to 11 May. So if you live in a city where it is being shown—go to one of the previews and see this amazing gem in person.
A RARE FIND
Bill Rau President and CEO and third generation of MS Rau estate jewelers also broke some news of purchasing the Harry Winston diamond necklace that Aristotle Onasis bought for his daughter Christina. Born into a world of wealth and style, Christina was known for her extravagant collection of haute couture jewels, and this necklace stood as one of its highlights.
Christina’s daughter auctioned the necklace through Christie's in 2008 after her mother passed away. “We are always searching for pieces of provenance and storied jewelry,” says Rau who has bought and sold other important and famous pieces. “It was amazing how it came to us. It came from an estate in the northeast—first, the family went to their local jewelry to purchase it and it was beyond what they could pay. We received the call next and we jumped on it.”
He continues, “The pendant is a 38-carate Golconda diamond, which is the purest of all diamonds, possessing a level of clarity, purity and transparency unrivaled by any other stone. They are universally accepted as the finest diamonds in the world.”
“The central diamond is pear-shaped. It is certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) as being both D color and Type IIa, r, making this gem a full two shades whiter than the whitest D-color diamond. TIt also displays VVS1 clarity, meaning its remarkable color is virtually unmarred by any imperfection.”
The entire necklace was designed by Jacques Timey for Harry Winston and the total weight of the necklace from which the pendant hangs is 20.00-25.00 TCW of additional diamonds of G color and VS clarity and is se in platinum and 18K white gold. It is stamped with French assay marks for platinum and 18K white gold and with a maker's mark for Jacques Timey.
Rau adds, “It’s my guess that the diamond might have been larger and Harry Winston had it recut and refashioned. The shape not a modern shape but this imbues the stone with even more of an enchanting quality extraordinary character, brilliance and personality.”
It's also been an award season of diamond statement pieces –here is a brief recap of a few of the best from our different red carpet features and sat the 2022 SAG, BAFTA, Critics Choice and Academy Awards
Lady Gaga in Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger flowers and leaves necklace at the 2022 SAG Awards
Selena Gomez in Bulgari at the 2022 SAG Awards
Zendaya in Bulgari Serpenti bracelets climbing up her wrists at the 2022 Academy Awards
Zoe Kravitz in Kwiat at the 2022 Academy Awards
Sienna Miller in Boucheron at 2022 BAFTA
Reese Witherspoon at the 2022 SAG Awards in Harry Winston
Selene Gomez in Boucheron Earring at the 2022 Critics Choice Awards
And if you are hankering for your own stand out diamond piece to wear in a more versatile way—here are six pieces that will elevate your existing jewelry collection
Estate Diamond Jewelry's original Art Deco ring centers on a GIA-certified Asscher cut diamond weighing 5.24-carats. Baguette-cut diamonds are set into the shoulders. This ring was handcrafted in platinum, circa 1930.
Bentley & Skinner’s Victorian diamond flower demi-parure, consisting of a brooch and a pair of earrings, each in the form of a flower-head, centrally claw-set with an old-cut diamond surrounded by individually raised diamond-set stamen and five diamond-encrusted petals, A Victorian floral brooch and matching earrings.
A La Vieille Russie diamond sunburst brooch set in gold and platinum centering an old European-cut diamond surrounded by smaller old European and old mine-cut diamonds. Howard & Co., New York, ca. 1905. With original case and en-Tremblant hair fitting.
Macklowe Gallery’s 1930s finely-articulated French Art Deco bracelet features approximately twenty-eight carats of diamonds set in platinum. Composed of three openwork plaques alternating with groups of open rectangular links joined by bars, the bracelet is pavé and channel-set throughout with old European and baguette-cut diamonds.
Bentley & Skinner’s late Georgian open-work diamond drop earrings, set with three graduating old brilliant-cut diamonds. The principal pear-shaped diamonds are suspended from two old brilliant-cut diamonds within a diamond set scroll design, set in silver cut down collets, circa 1830
Kentshire’s retro diamond crescent-shaped clip earrings with graduated old European cut, baguette, and single cut diamonds in palladium.
