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Property from the Collection of Mrs. Paul Mellon: Jewels & Objects of Vertu

RESULTS

Sotheby’s auction of Jewels & Objects of Vertu from the Collection of Mrs. Paul Mellon concluded in New York with a stunning total of $45 million – more than double its high estimate. Collectors eagerly vied for pieces evocative of Mrs. Mellon’s celebrated style, driving 85.1% of all sold lots to achieve prices above their high estimates.

A Magnificent and Rare Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond from the celebrated collection of Mrs. Paul Mellon sold for a staggering $32,645,000 ($3,348,205 per carat) – a new auction record for any blue diamond and for price-per-carat for any diamond.

OVERVIEW

Mrs. Mellon’s personal jewels and objects of vertu reflect her close relationships with the designers she loved: pieces from Verdura, Schlumberger and Givenchy appear in the collection, as well period jewels from Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Black Starr & Frost. A magnificent and rare Fancy Vivid Blue pear-shaped diamond -- its color reminiscent of the Hope Diamond -- paired with an important Fancy Blue Diamond anchor the collection, which also offers an exquisite Diamond Rivière by Cartier, the tapered line of diamonds completed by a Fancy Deep Yellow diamond clasp. In addition to these pieces, the auction will include an attractive array of wearable daytime jewels, gold accessories and objects of vertu, both modern and antique.