Sotheby’s Unveils One of the Most Important Private Collections of Signed Jewels Ever to Come to Auction

Highlights from Iconic Jewels

MAGNIFICENT JEWELS AND NOBLE JEWELS AUCTION

Highlights from Iconic Jewels: Her Sense of Style

Prepare to be captivated by exquisite diamonds and rare coloured stones this season, mounted by top makers such as Harry Winston and Cartier. The celebrated intense blue colour and velvety texture of Kashmir sapphires are exemplified by several stunning examples, led by a striking 17.29-carat crystal making its first appearance on the market. Burmese rubies of deep red hues and no-oil emeralds of exceptional clarity are complemented by an enchanting 35.25-carat Tanzanian spinel and a rich selection of natural pearls, some with noble provenance. No sale of Magnificent Jewels is complete without rare and impressive diamonds and this auction is no exception. Taking centre stage is a 37.61 carat E Colour, Internally Flawless boasting Excellent Polish and Symmetry and an exquisite Fancy Intense green diamond formerly in the collection of a Polish Countess, now mounted as ring by JAR.

Mesmerizing Gemstones

The Allnatt diamond is one of the world’s most significant and historical Fancy Vivid Yellow diamonds, celebrated for its richly saturated golden colour, enchanting older cutting style and elegant 1950s mounting by Cartier.

An Historical and Highly Significant Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond and diamond brooch, Cartier, circa 1952.

Formerly in the Collection of Major Alfred Ernest Allnatt

The Allnatt Diamond

The animal kingdom has been a muse to jewellers for centuries, inspiring some of the most memorable jewels in history and becoming icons forever linked to a jeweller's house.

The Diamond Menagerie

Jewels with Noble Provenance

Senior Vice President, Head of Magnificent Jewels, Geneva

Catharine Becket

Senior Vice President, Head of Jewellery, Americas & EMEA

Quig Bruning

Chairman | Jewellery

Andres White Correal

Director, Senior Specialist, Jewellery

Jessica Wyndham

Director, Specialist, Jewellery

Marie-Cécile Cisamolo 

Deputy Director, Specialist, Jewellery

Jemima Chamberlain-Adams

Associate Specialist, Jewellery

Sales Director, Jewellery, Switzerland

Meet our Specialists

For assistance with bidding and registration, please contact: +41 (0) 22 908 48 00 enquiries@sothebys.com bids.geneva@sothebys.com

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Geneva will be fizzing with excitement this May as ‘The Allnatt’, a Historically Significant 101.29-carat Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond mounted by Cartier, makes its appearance at Sotheby’s. This landmark offering in our Magnificent Jewels auction will be complemented by highlights from “Iconic Jewels: Her Sense of Style”, an extensive private collection of signed pieces from across the twentieth century, from a gloriously feminine Belle Epoque brooch by Cartier to a striking gold cuff by Lucio Fontana. Representing one woman’s passion for both the great maisons and avant-garde design, it is distinguished by one-of-a-kind pieces, many of which have been featured in museum exhibitions and scholarly literature. The sale is completed by highly important diamonds and rare coloured stones, including Kashmir sapphires, no-oil Colombian emeralds and Burmese rubies.

Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels