hillips unveils a stunning selection of exceptional jewels from The Geneva Jewels Auction: THREE, taking place on 11 November. The sale will be led by a rare Burmese ruby and diamond ring weighing 17.97 carats, alongside a 3.24-carat fancy vivid blue diamond ring.
Additional highlights include remarkable coloured diamonds such as a 40.54-carat old European cut fancy intense yellow diamond, alongside extraordinary coloured gemstones including a Cartier Colombian emerald and diamond ring, a Bulgari Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring, and important jewels with historical provenance.
A global highlights tour showcasing these exquisite pieces will visit Taipei, London, Paris, Singapore, and New York. The online catalogue is available and the auction preview will open on 6 November at Hotel President, Geneva leading up to the auction at that same venue on 11 November.
Benoît Repellin, Worldwide Head of Jewellery, said, "On the heels of Phillips’ successful Jewels sale in Hong Kong, which achieved an outstanding 89% year-on-year increase, we are excited to unveil the highlights of The Geneva Jewels Auction: THREE. This sale presents an extraordinary collection of treasures, featuring a stunning Burmese ruby, a rare fancy vivid blue diamond, and distinguished pieces with historical significance, alongside classic jewels from prestigious houses.
“Leading the sale is a magnificent 17.97-carat Burmese ruby and diamond ring – an exceptionally rare gemstone. The sale includes captivating unheated natural sapphires and rubies, as well as emeralds with no clarity enhancements. We are delighted to showcase a remarkable red diamond and outstanding emeralds following our record-breaking results and price-per-carat achievements for these stones. Our Geneva auction offers a meticulously curated selection, reflective of the robust global demand for rare and captivating jewels. We look forward to presenting these exceptional pieces as we continue our international tour leading up to the Geneva auction in November.”
One of the standout lots in the upcoming sale is a Burmese ruby and diamond ring. Rubies over five carats are extremely rare, and those surpassing 10 carats - and nearing 20 carats - are true natural wonders. This gem exhibits exceptional clarity for its size, with vibrant, unheated colour and a richly saturated hue. Another marquee piece is a 3.24-carat fancy vivid blue diamond ring, internally flawless with a remarkable fancy vivid blue color, and classified as a rare Type IIb diamond.
Additional highlights include a 40.54-carat fancy intense yellow diamond ring with VS1 clarity, and a Cartier emerald and diamond ring, showcasing a 14.65-carat Colombian emerald set in a vintage Cartier mount from the 1920s. Also featured is a 3.88-carat fancy dark grey-blue diamond ring with exceptional polish.
Following the record-breaking success of the Geneva Jewels Auction in May 2024, where ‘The Argyle Phoenix’, a rare fancy red diamond ring, sold for CHF 3,811,000 and set a new record price-per-carat for a fancy red diamond at auction (achieving USD 2.7 million per carat), Phillips presents ‘The Red Miracle’. This 1.21-carat fancy red diamond, coming to auction this November from an important private collection, represents an extraordinary opportunity as red diamonds over one carat are exceptionally rare.
The auction showcases an exquisite selection of vibrant coloured gemstones, including an 8.03-carat unheated Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring in a ‘Trombino’ design by Bulgari. Another notable piece is a 20.49-carat Colombian emerald ring, celebrated for its vivid saturation and deep colour and with no indications of clarity modification. Additional highlights include a pair of emerald and diamond earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, set with cabochon emeralds weighing 19.08 and 18.92 carats, as well as a 1.36-carat fancy intense blue diamond.
Among the highlights of jewels with remarkable provenance is a gold, emerald, and diamond bracelet featuring an 11.39-carat emerald, originally part of Adrienne de Morgan de Belloy’s wedding basket when she married Pierre de Berny in 1893, and later re-mounted in 1959 on a gold bracelet. A 19th-century spinel and diamond necklace, believed to have been gifted by King George IV to his mistress, Elizabeth Conyngham, Marchioness Conyngham, will also be on offer.
Further notable pieces include a Castellani micromosaic demi-parure from circa 1875, formerly part of Mrs. Harry Winston’s collection. A natural pearl and diamond necklace from a European noble family, featuring four rows of natural pearls ranging from 2.90 to 10.80 mm, adds another layer of historical significance. Also featured is a Cartier necklace of citrine, turquoise, and diamonds, once owned by French actress Marie Bell, showcasing the iconic “Grain de Café” motif. Completing this distinguished selection is a 1930s coral and diamond bracelet by Marsh & Co., offered from the Estate of Margaret Roebling Perrine of Trenton, New Jersey.
Included in the sale is an exceptional selection of Art Deco jewels, epitomising the glamour and sophistication of the 1920s and 1930s. Highlights include a stunning Cartier diamond jabot pin from circa 1926, and a Cartier diamond bracelet from circa 1924 that captures the era’s geometric precision. A further highlight is a Cartier sapphire and diamond bracelet from circa 1927, and a pair of exquisite pearl and diamond brooches from circa 1930, showcasing Cartier’s mastery in combining luxurious materials with impeccable design.
Additional highlights of the sale include iconic and classic pieces from prestigious jewellery houses. Van Cleef & Arpels’ timeless “Rose de Noël” brooches and ear clips exude floral elegance, alongside their celebrated Alhambra design with signature four-leaf clover motif. Cartier’s bold and striking Tiger ring exemplifies the house’s fascination with fierce animal motifs. Further intricate craftsmanship can be seen in Bulgari’s bold Serpenti wristwatch design and Buccellati’s exquisite gold and diamond necklace. Completing the collection is a contemporary statement choker attributed to Marina B.
