Online sales of top-tier fine jewelry have come a long way. Where consumers used to balk at the prospect of buying a $10,000 or $20,000 piece of jewelry online, sight unseen, the COVID-19 pandemic (and the sheer fact that most people are super-comfortable with e-commerce in 2022) have created an ecosystem where nothing is “too expensive” to purchase online—for someone. Not even cars, homes, and uninhabited islands.
Case in point: Christie’s upcoming Jewels Online auction, which begins Sept. 19, features over 200 lots ranging from antique to contemporary. Within the group are several signed jewels by makers including Boucheron, Bulgari, Cartier, Hemmerle, JAR, Oscar Heyman & Brothers, Seaman Schepps, Taffin, Tiffany & Co, Jean Schlumberger, and Van Cleef & Arpels.
Many of these pieces, including two Schlumberger gold Tiffany brooches and a diamond-and-onyx Cartier panther brooch, are as iconic as it gets in jewelry design (see them below). And expected sale prices for the offerings top out at $150,000 (for a 7.5 ct. diamond ring—it’s also pictured below). The sale is further proof that at minimum, consumers trust legacy retailers, such as Christies, enough to bid on items priced the thousands of dollars.
Here are some of the very legendary jewels coming up for auction—online only.
Cartier Diamond ‘Neptune’ Earrings: Round diamonds,18k white gold (French mark), signed Cartier, maker’s mark, numbered. Estimate: $15,000-20,000
Tiffany & Co., Jean Schlumberger Diamond, and Gold Brooch: Round diamonds, 18k yellow gold and platinum, signed Tiffany & Co., Schlumberger Studios Ltd. Estimate: $6,000-8,000
Tiffany & Co., Jean Schlumberger Diamond, and Multigem Camel Brooch: Designed as a camel, round diamonds, oval-shaped pink sapphire, lapis lazuli cabochon, cultured pearl, 18k yellow and white gold, signed Tiffany & Co., Schlumberger. Estimate: $7,000-10,000
Cartier Diamond and Onyx ‘Parrot Lovebirds’ Brooch: Round diamonds, onyx plaques, platinum and 18k white gold (French marks), signed Cartier, maker’s mark, numbered. Estimate: $7,000-10,000
Chanel Multi-Gem Cuff Bracelet: Round tanzanites, amethysts, peridots, citrines, garnets, and topazes, 18k yellow gold (French mark), signed Chanel, maker’s mark (Jean-Claude Duhem), numbered. Estimate: $20,000-30,000
Tiffany & Co., Jean Schlumberger Turquoise, and Gold Brooch: Round turquoise cabochons, 18k yellow gold, signed Tiffany & Co., Schlumberger Studios. Estimate: $3,000-5,000
Cartier Diamond, Emerald, and Onyx ‘Panthère’ Brooch: Round diamonds, pear and drop-shaped emeralds, polished onyx, 18k white gold (French mark) and platinum, leash detachable for variety of wear, signed Cartier, maker’s mark (Pierre Brun), numbered. Estimate: $20,000-30,000
Hemmerle Aquamarine and Tsavorite Garnet Earrings: Faceted drop-shaped aquamarines, single-cut tsavorite garnets, silver-topped yellow gold, 18k white gold. Estimate: $15,000-20,000
Cartier Art Deco Carnelian, Chrysoprase and Diamond Clip: Pyramidal-shaped carnelian, carnelian beads, rectangular cabochon chrysoprase, old-cut diamonds, platinum, and yellow gold, circa 1935, signed Cartier London. Estimate: $7,000-10,000
Christies’ Jewels Online sale starts Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. EDT. Browse, bid, and buy from Sept. 19-30.
Top: Group shot of jewelry pieces in the upcoming Jewels Online sale (all photos courtesy of Christie’s)
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