TOP 10 JEWELLERY PICKS CHRISTIE’S AUCTION SOUTH KENSINGTON
I was invited to a private preview at Christie’s to see the items for sale in the upcoming jewellery auction on the 11th of December in South Kensington. To save you time, we picked our favourite selection of jewels worth bidding for from the 355 lots. I looked for special jewels and signed jewels that will be investment pieces for the future. Some of these pieces could make perfect Christmas gifts. Surprisingly for an auction we found pieces that were within an affordable range starting at £1000. One-off jewels are also for sale; forget waiting for Santa Claus, we thought Christmas had come early for us this year!
1. A late-19th diamond star brooch, estimated at £1,500 – £2,000
After my wonderful experience with Harper’s Bazaar and antique jewels, Victorian star shaped jewels have become one of my weaknesses, therefore this piece is definitely on my Christmas list. Wear it either as a pendant, or a brooch or, in true GEMOLOGUE style, on your python bag! A sixteen ray star-shaped brooch is set with graduated old brilliant and rose-cut diamonds. The star itself is attached to a diamond-set removable pendant loop, there is also a detachable brooch fitting. Circa 1890, 4.4cm wide.
2. An early 20th Century platinum cameo watch ring, estimated at £650 – £850
For something unique, why not bid for this 1920’s item? A surprisingly low estimate only adds to the ring’s allure! This ring consists of a cameo expertly carved with a female profile. It’s millegrain-set and sits in the middle of single-cut diamond accent borders. In a locket style, the top of the ring opens to reveal an oval cream dial. An unusual twist is that the numerals are in Arabic. With exquisite detail find blue steel hands to a foliate engraved gallery with single-cut diamond openwork shoulders. The ring is in working condition with mechanical movement. Circa 1920, finger size M
3. An 18ct gold diamond single stone ring, estimated at £22,000 – £28,000
An unusually beautiful diamond or engagement ring will also be shown at the auction. It’s different because of the diamond cut also the 7 carats are a huge plus point. It’s a rectangular princess-cut diamond and weighs approximately 7.09 carats. Notice the estimate price on this piece, a bargain for a jewel of this calibre. The showpiece diamond sits securely between kite-shaped diamond shoulders.
4. An emerald and diamond ring, estimated at £1,200 – £1,600
If you are seeking something special for your wife or girlfriend this Christmas, you simply cannot go wrong with an emerald ring! This ring features a stunning cut-cornered rectangular emerald that weighs in at approximately 2.55 carats. There are two ring shoulders set with baguette-cut diamonds, the ring is a size M.
5. A pair of diamond-set pendent earrings, estimated at £2,000 – £3,000
Whether they are a fleeting trend or classics, I keep seeing feather earrings among many Fine Jewellery designers. It’s these detailed pieces that can go for tens of thousands. It will be interesting to see how much these beautiful fine jewelry feathers will be sold for. Each earring is designed as a stand alone feather, set throughout with single-cut diamonds, these earrings come with hook fittings and measure a total of 7.5 cm in length.
6. A pair of sapphire and diamond ear clips, estimated at £2,000 – £2,500
Definitely my favourites from the Lot, I loved them so much that I put in a bid for them! These stunning circular chequerboard designed earrings are pave set complete with sapphires with brilliant cut diamonds. The mix of tiny squares with the sapphires caught my eye immediately! Complete with clip fittings, the earrings measure 3.4 cm in length.
7. A chrysoprase and diamond ivy brooch, by Boucheron, estimated at £1,600 – £2,000
When at auction, one tip is to focus on signed jewelry. This Brooch is not only fabulous in its design, but it is also a rare signed piece from Boucheron. Wear it GEMOLOGUE style on a long skirt for seriously chic style. The brooch itself is designed as a trailing branch of ivy. The beauty of the graduating sized leaves is added to with pear-shaped cabochon chrysoprase. All this is interspersed with brilliant-cut diamond collets with twin prong fitting. This piece is signed ‘Boucheron, no. P20683’, it has French hallmarks and measures a total length of 15.5cm.
8. A diamond brooch, by Mouawad, estimate £3,200 – £3,500
This brooch makes me want to put on my leather jacket: there is something very seductive about diamonds and leather! I adore a baguette-cut diamond, but not for its brilliant sparkle; I love it for the style! A floral spray design made up from a cluster top featuring various sizes of brilliant-cut diamonds and two oval-cut diamond drops. However, there’s more! A baguette-cut diamond base and stem, the item is signed ‘Mouawad’ and measures 9.7 cm in length, note that the stem is detachable.
9. A set of seven novelty brooches and a pair of earrings, £3,200 – £3,500
Seven playful pieces for every day of the week! This would be a gift with a difference: why not put a smile on the faces of family members, in particular the children this year? It may be their first piece of antique fine jewelry. Each piece has it’s own personality, whether it be a little angel holding a puppy or cleaning the floor. The engravings on the back of each is a nice addition too. These jewels are inspired by the nursery rhyme ‘Monday’s Child’, the brooches are each set with baroque cultured pearls, diamonds and sapphire details. Three of the brooches measure at 6 cm in length, four brooches are 4 cm in length. The earrings are complete with clip fittings and measure 2.5 cm.
10. Three carbon fibre and diamond bangles by Bogh-Art, estimated at t £1,300 – £1,600
If it’s unique every day jewels you are looking for, then these light as a feather bangles with diamonds are it. I love these and will be placing my bid for these precious pieces. A real favorite when it comes to the bangles featured in this Auction. It’s not hard to see why these will be popular too: Each bangle is inlaid with a row of brilliant-cut diamonds. One is a rose-cut diamond with tapered accents. The inner diameter measures around 6.7 cm
I would love to hear what you think by leaving me a comment below. Thank you!
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GEMOLOGUE by Liza Urla is a celebration of fine, fashion and vintage jewellery featuring exquisite global discoveries, trendy urban street style, exclusive interviews and rare jewellery reviews.
GEMOLOGUE jewelry blog by Liza Urla is featuring talented jewellery designers, trendy urban street style, exclusive interviews and rare jewellery reviews. This jewellery blog’s goal is to encourage and educate about jewellery online in a fresh and original fashion to inspire women and men across the globe in a fashion and travelling context.
Jewellery blogger, writer Liza Urla, the founder of GEMOLOGUE, is a London-based and NYC-educated gemologist, who has travelled to and lived in many countries. She is now one of the most influential digital jewellery tastemakers. Her jewellery influence has been acknowledged by Financial Times, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
*Photographed by Julia Flit. Styling and Art Direction by Liza Urla. All photos belong to GEM Kreatives for GEMOLOGUE.
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