Fancy-Color Diamonds Dominate Sotheby's Lineup

RAPAPORT... Sotheby's will offer four jewels with high estimates totaling more than $28 million at its upcoming live auctions in Geneva and Hong Kong.The Geneva Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale, originally scheduled for April, will take place on June 23. The auction will feature a step-cut, 3.01-carat, fancy-vivid-blue diamond carrying a presale value of $4.3 million to $6.3 million, the auction house said last week. A marquise-shaped, 7-carat, fancy-intense-pink, VVS2 diamond ring will also go under the hammer at the Geneva event. That piece, which has come to auction after more than 30 years in the same private collection, is expected to garner between $2.5 million and $3.5 million. Also up for sale at the Geneva event is an emerald and diamond necklace from the collection of Consuelo Montagu, the duchess of Manchester. Montagu, an American heiress, was renowned for encouraging her wealthy friends to marry UK noblemen, inspiring the phrase "million-dollar princesses." The necklace, which was displayed at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London for 22 years, is estimated at $300,000 to $400,000.Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels sale, postponed from May due to the coronavirus outbreak, will take place on July 10. That sale will be led by a heart-shaped, 5.04-carat, fancy-vivid-blue, type IIb diamond ring. Bracketed by two white diamonds, the jewel is estimated at $7.7 million to $9.7 million.Other notable items include a heart-shaped, 4.49-carat, fancy-vivid-pink diamond ring. The center stone, which is internally flawless, is flanked by two white diamonds. Sotheby's expects the piece to bring in $7.5 million to $8.8 million. Another storied piece that will be offered at the Hong Kong sale is an antique diamond bracelet by designer Garrard, which was given to Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth's sister, on her 21st birthday. It is valued at $49,000 to $64,500.Sotheby's will also hold three online sales over the next two months, including the New York Important Jewels Sale, scheduled from June 10 to 16; Part I of the Geneva Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels auction, on June 16 to 24; and the Geneva Fine Jewels auction, taking place July 7 to 15.  Image: The heart-shaped, 5.04-carat, fancy-vivid-blue diamond that will go under the hammer in Hong Kong. (Sotheby's)