My Top 6 Favorite Gems at Sotheby's Important Jewels Auction

Vintage Bulgari emerald, ruby, pink sapphire & diamond
flower brooch, circa 1970. Est. $40,000-$60,000

September brings the beginning of the all-important jewelry auctions in New York - so I thought I better get started by heading to Sotheby's yesterday for a bit of gem-therapy! Oh how I miss these auctions in the summertime! Going to the preview during the week, rather than the more crowded weekend, provided me with ample room at the jewelry counters to take my time and really enjoy the pieces I came to see. I was not disappointed! The auction will be held on September 22, 2016.
The first jewel I looked at and my favorite of the sale was this stunning emerald, ruby, pink sapphire and diamond brooch by Bulgari, c. 1970. The large central emerald, an exquisite color with gem-set petals radiating out from it in a life-like flower design - almost giving the feeling that the blossom was caught in a light breeze. What an utterly delightful piece!

Art Deco Cartier sapphire & diamond jabot pin, circa 1930. Est. $45,000-$65,000

Next up - this elegant carved sapphire and old cut diamond jabot pin by Cartier, circa 1930. The ultimate in Art Deco chic, jabot's were worn in many fashionable ways, including on a ladies lapel, the shoulder of a dress, on cloche style hats and even on handbags. The two-piece brooch, usually vertical in design, has a long pin that connects the two elements of the jewel, with the smaller or lower piece acting as the clasp by clicking on or screwing onto the pin. This example uses carved sapphires, an Indian inspiration, used by the finest jewelry houses of the time, in particular, Cartier.

Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels sapphire and diamond necklace & earrings, circa 1970.
Est. $150,000-$200,000

Well, when all else fails! I have to say that this suite of jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels looked even more beautiful in person. It's also bigger than the image portrays! This is one of those sets that you can just imagine Elizabeth Taylor wearing back in the height of her jet-setting days in the 1970's. Absolutely gorgeous! Set with yellow and blue sapphires (the pendant centering a cushion-cut, yellow sapphire weighing 84.90cts.), along with brilliant cut diamonds throughout. The pendant is detachable to become a brooch and the necklace is also made up of detachable sections, allowing the necklace to be shorter and one of those segments becoming a bracelet, I believe. Oh, I love convertible jewelry!

Vintage Cartier diamond and gold ring by Dinh Van. Est. $10,000-$15,000

I know it's quite simple but this ring knocked my socks off! The wide gold band being in the shape of a square, perfectly framed the app. 3.25ct. Old European cut diamond, without any unnecessary embellishments. Genius design by Dinh Vin, who started working for Cartier in the mid 1960's. Inspired by the Bauhaus, he appreciated minimalist designs and pieces that were not recognized as being from a particular era or belonging to a specific gender. I loved this ring and quietly covet it!

Vintage David Webb black enamel, emerald, ruby and diamond elephant bracelet.
Est. $30,000-$40,000

What's an important jewelry auction without a David Webb animal bracelet! By the early 1960's, Webb's menagerie of animal bangles were gracing the wrists of the most discerning women. Anyone who was anyone needed to have one! Ranging from lions, tigers and panthers to horses, giraffes, zebras and more - they were and still are the iconic Webb piece that every one wants to own! This charmer is a black enamel elephant with ruby set eyes, diamond tusks and an emerald hat or ornament. Definitely fun to try on!

Art Deco Marcus & Co. carved jade, diamond and pearl necklace, circa 1930.
Est. $8,000-$12,000

Lastly, I swooned over this gorgeous Art Deco pendant necklace by the illustrious New York jeweler Marcus & Co. Dating to around 1930, the carved jade pendant with diamond set bail, suspended from a slim pearl necklace epitomized the period with its exotic elegance and bold color. The quite hefty pendant carved with ru-yi symbols, translating to "as you wish" or "as desired', further signifies the era of the decadent 1920's and 30's. I could almost feel the energy of the times and the jazz music wafting in the air, as I held it! Fabulous!

Of course, there are many other wonderful jewels in this auction, including a Lalique ring, a Suzanne Belperron brooch, Raymond Yard earrings and some very large diamond rings (!) - but these were my favorites! The auction is tomorrow, Thursday, September 22nd. You can go to the Sotheby's website to see all of the splendid jewelry up for sale and find out more information.