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Christie’s to Auction 127-Carat ‘Light of Peace’ Diamond
The D-color, internally flawless, Type IIa stone will be offered without reserve.
The 127-carat “Light of Peace” diamond leads Christie’s “Magnificent Jewels” sale happening June 7 in New York City.
New York—On the back of the controversial yet record-setting Heidi Horten sale in Geneva, Christie’s is offering a special diamond at its New York “Magnificent Jewels” sale this spring.
Leading the June 7 jewelry auction is “The Light of Peace Diamond,” estimated to sell for between $10 million and $15 million.
The D-color, internally flawless, Type IIa, pear brilliant-cut diamond weighs 126.76 carats. It is being offered without reserve.
The stone previously was named the “Zale Light of Peace” when the Zale Corp. of Dallas, which is now part of Signet Jewelers Ltd., owned it.
Zales would charge for showings of the diamonds and use ticket sale proceeds to support charities. The Light of Peace is therefore synonymous with giving back, Christie’s said.
Now owned by a private party, a portion of the proceeds of the rock’s sale will benefit USA for UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency.
Colored diamonds are expected to make an impact at Magnificent Jewels as well.
Highlights include a 3.10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond ring ($4.2 million-$5.2 million), a 50.4-carat fancy intense yellow diamond pendant ($700,000-$1.2 million), and a 4.01-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring ($1.5 million-$2.5 million).
SEE: Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Highlights
This 3.10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond ring is expected to sell for between $4.2 million and $5.2 million at Christie’s New York this June.
A 71.27-carat Burmese “Royal Blue” sapphire set in a diamond pendant that is expected to earn between $3 million and $5 million
This ring with 2.55-carat fancy intense blue pear brilliant-cut diamond, cushion-shaped Burmese ruby with no indication of heating, and old-cut diamonds in platinum, signed Verdura, is a top 10 auction highlight, expected to garner between $1.5 million and $2.5 million.
Among the colored gemstone draws at the jewelry auction are a 71.27-carat Burmese “Royal Blue” sapphire set in a diamond pendant ($3 million-$5 million), a pair of Harry Winston emerald and diamond pendant earrings ($500,000-$700,000), and a 10.17-carat Burmese ruby ($400,000-$600,000).
Many jewels will be on offer from private collections with notable provenances.
A Van Cleef & Arpels “mystery-set” sapphire and diamond bracelet ($250,000-$350,000) is a highlight of “The Collection of Adolphus Andrews Jr. and Emily Taylor Andrews,” while a VCA set of ruby, emerald, and diamond earrings and necklace, circa 1970 ($400,000-$600,000), is a lot to watch from the collection of New York philanthropist and socialite Betsey Cushing Whitney.
There are also jewels from members of the Rothschild family, as well as an assortment of seven JAR jewels from a private American collection.
Most notable of the private collections is “The Magnificent Jewels of Anne Eisenhower,” which includes a VCA bracelet once belonging to Marlene Dietrich expected to sell for between $2.5 million and $4.5 million.
The Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction is scheduled for June 7.
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