Graff Diamond Ring, Bulgari and Private Collections Highlight Christie's Geneva Auction

[gallery] An oval cut 24.30-carat diamond ring by Graff will be the top lot at Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction on November 16. The D color, internally flawless gem is estimated to fetch $2.9 million to $3.5 million. The sale at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues also includes superb jewels, top-quality colorless diamonds, rare gemstones, natural pearls, and signed jewels from Bulgari, Cartier, Boivin, Graff, JAR, Tiffany & Co, Van Cleef & Arpels and Harry Winston. Several private collections will be part of the auction, including the collection of Richard Burton’s former wife, Susan Hunt Burton, and a private collection featured in a separate catalog: “Timeless Elegance - Important Jewels from the Collection of a European Family.” (Follow link to read more about this collection). The 360 lots of haute joaillerie are expected to achieve in excess of $50 million. Bulgari will command its own section of more than 40 lots in the upcoming sale. It amounts to the largest sale of Bulgari jewels since a Christie’s Geneva auction in 1993. Among the highlights is an emerald, ruby and diamond sautoir suspending a hexagonal-shaped emerald of 44.90 carats, dated from the 1970s and estimated at $270,000 - $360,000. Also for sale will be a diamond and yellow gold necklace estimated at $73,000 - $89,000. Among the colored gemstones and diamonds to be offered are an 8.11-carat, oval-cut Burmese ruby estimated at $2 million - $2.5 million, a pair of Colombian pear-shaped emerald and diamond earrings, weighing 23.66 and 23.55 carats, estimated at $1.8 million - $2.5 million, and a 55.98-carat Kashmir cabochon sapphire mounted with diamonds as ring by Mouawad, estimated at $800,000 - $1.2 million. A 30.15-carat, D color, VS1 clarity, Type IIa pear-shaped diamond with an antique cut is estimated to sell at $1.9 million to $2.3 million. Richard Burton, the Welsh actor of stage and screen, was at the height of his fame when he married Susan Hunt, an international model, in August 1976. Among the jewels from the Susan Burton collection are 6.17 carats oval-cut diamond ring (estimate: $56,000 - $78,000), an emerald and diamond necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels (Estimate: $45,000 - $67,000) and a two row cultured pearl, pink tourmaline and diamond necklace with cultured pearl, sapphire and ruby ear pendants (Estimate: SFr. $40,000 - $63,000). From the "Property of a Royal House, Christie's November sale will present three fancy yellow diamonds: a 79-carat cushion-shaped diamond ring weighing estimated $1.5 million - $2 million, a 67.54-carat, brilliant-cut diamond brooch estimated $1.4 million - $1.5 million and a 32.62-carat brilliant-cut diamond ring with an estimate of $700,000 - $800,000. From what is billed as the “Estate of a Gentleman,” a selection of 19 jewels created by the famous Swiss jeweler Meister mainly in the 1960s and 1970s. Among the highlights are a diamond fringe necklace estimated at $230,000 - $330,000) and a gold, diamond ruby and emerald snake bracelet estimated at $14,000 - $17,000). A group of Period and Art Deco jewels featured in the sale is highlighted by a diamond necklace created by René Boivin, circa 1960, (estimate: $340,000 - $440,000) and an emerald and diamond bracelet mounted in platinum, 1930s, estimated at $400,000 - $600,000. Follow this link to view items from the auction. Follow me on my Jewelry News Network blog, on my Jewelry News Network facebook page and on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet.