Pair of gem set, seed pearl and diamond brooches, late 19th Century. Estimate HK$48,000–65,000 ($6,141–8,315). To be offered in Magnificent Jewels & Jadeite on 3 October in Hong Kong.
Each designed as a butterfly, the brooches are decorated with rose-cut diamonds, red gemstones and sapphires. While one’s body is accented with seed pearls, the other is comprised of cabochon opals.
Group of Gold, black opal, enamel and coloured stone jewelry, Tiffany & Co., designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Sold for $125,000 at Sotheby’s New York.
Louis Comfort Tiffany created evocative pieces that have come to define American Art Nouveau jewellery. Tiffany found inspiration in nature, and his gem of choice was the black opal.
Pair of jadeite, gem set and diamond earrings. Estimate HK$65,000–85,000 ($8,306–10,862). To be offered in Important Jewellery & Jadeite on 12 October in Hong Kong.
Diamonds, cabochon rubies and emerald-green jadeite cabochons form a pair of colourful mushrooms with fire opal stems.
Pair of silver, 18-karat gold, chrysoprase, pink opal and diamond earclips, JAR, Paris. Sold for $87,500 at Sotheby’s New York.
Composed of circular chrysoprase segments, these cabochon pink opal earclips are accented by single-cut diamonds. The pair uniquely features a more opaque type of opal, almost resembling an entirely different stone.
18-karat white gold, opal, multi-coloured sapphire and diamond bracelet. Sold for $15,000 at Sotheby’s New York.
The highly flexible strap of this bracelet is adorned with cabochon opals, round diamonds, further set with pink, green, yellow and blue sapphires.
Gold, opal and enamel brooch, Tiffany & Co., designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Sold for $35,000 at Sotheby’s New York.
While studying the structure of plants and insects – wild flowers, vines, as well as the intricately veined gossamer wings of dragonflies – Louis Comfort Tiffany also explored enamels with the many skilled artisans in his studio.
Opal and diamond ring. Estimate HK$150,000–200,000 ($19,168–25,558). To be offered in Important Jewellery & Jadeite on 12 October in Hong Kong.
This ring's heart-shaped cabochon opal weighs approximately 23.00 carats.
Chopard, A lady's white gold, opal and diamond-set bracelet watch case, circa 1970. Sold for £8,750 ($11,839) at Sotheby’s London.
Surrounded by white gold and diamonds, this fiery hue of the opal dial is a showstopper.
Pair of enamel, opal and seed pearl pendant earrings, early 20th century. Estimate £800–1,200 ($1,034–1,551). To be offered in S. J. Phillips: A Bond Street Legacy on 18 October in London.
This October, Sotheby’s is offering a curated selection from S.J. Phillips’s exquisite collection of silver, jewellery and fine objects, including these seed pearl, blue enamel and opal drop earrings.
Opal, cultured pearl and diamond necklace, ‘Perlé’, Gilbert Albert, 1991. Sold for CHF20,000 ($20,107) at Sotheby’s Geneva.
Pearls and brilliant-cut diamonds make a superb backdrop for two carved and polished opals in this Gilber Albert necklace.
Diamond and gem-set acrostic bracelet, 1860s. Estimate £5,000–8,000 ($6,462–10,338). To be offered in S. J. Phillips: A Bond Street Legacy on 18 October in London.
Another treasure from Sotheby's S.J. Phillips auction, this 19th-century bracelet features a diverse grouping of colourful stones, including emerald, garnet, chalcedony, sapphire and opal.
18-karat gold, opal, sapphire and garnet brooch, Tiffany & Co., designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Sold for $75,000 at Sotheby’s New York.
Once in the estate of William B. Dietrich, this strikingly bold brooch is another Louis Comfort Tiffany black opal masterpiece.
Unmounted opal. Sold for CHF118,750 ($118,345) at Sotheby’s Geneva
This unmounted opal weighing 90.10 carats sold for more than five times its high estimate.
Stunning as a single pop of colour on a statement brooch, or in a multi-stone piece that showcases the stone’s iridescence, the opal always makes a strong statement. While October’s birthstone is also the tourmaline, we wanted to highlight the opal for its wide-ranging spectrum of shades, from a matte pink or white, to a fiery red or blue. To see the many hues of this magical birthstone, click through the slideshow and discover the best of both past and upcoming opals at Sotheby’s. –Stephanie Sporn
Magnificent Jewels & Jadeite
3 October | Hong Kong
Important Jewellery & Jadeite
12 October | Hong Kong
S. J. Phillips: A Bond Street Legacy
18 October | London