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Diamonds, designers shine in Rago’s $1.7M jewelry auctions 

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
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Gem-set yellow gold crown from the collection of jewelry designer Andrew Long Fritz. Price realized: $28,750. Rago Arts and Auction Center image

LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. – Rago’s Fine and Unreserved Jewelry Auctions on June 7 & 9 achieved total sales of $1.7 million across two sessions and 1,134 lots. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.

The honor of top lot was shared by two pieces that each achieved $46,875: a Harry Winston sapphire and diamond platinum ring (below) featuring a 5.11 carat Ceylon sapphire and a Georgian rose-cut diamond button ring, the central diamond of which once belonged to the last Emperor of Mexico, Maximilian I.

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Harry Winston sapphire (5.11 carats) and diamond platinum ring. Price realized: $46,875. Rago Arts and Auction Center image

Designs featuring substantial diamonds also performed admirably in the sale including: lot 1096, a 4.89 carat diamond Art Deco engagement ring (below) retailed by J.E. Caldwell with its original box which sold for $43,750; lot 1545, an unmounted 5.12 carat square step-cut diamond which achieved $40,625; lot 1546, a 3.59 carat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring, which exceeded the high estimate of $18,000 to sell for $23,750; and lot 1523, a pair of fancy yellow diamond earrings, 3.99 carats total weight throughout, which sold for $18,750.

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Art Deco diamond engagement ring, 4.89 carats, circa 1920. Price realized: $43,750. Rago Arts and Auction Center image

A custom-made gem-set yellow gold crown with four fleur-de-lis points and varied cuts of citrine, quartz, amethyst, tourmaline, peridot, garnet, ruby, freshwater cultured or baroque pearls and round brilliant cut diamonds sold for $28,750.

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Georgian rose-cut diamond button ring, approximately 1.20 carats total weight. The rose-cut diamond was once among a set of diamond buttons owned by Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico, who was overthrown and executed in 1867. Price realized: $46,875. Rago Arts and Auction Center image

The top wristwatch in the auctions was a yellow gold Rolex “Stella” Oyster Perpetual Day-Date Chronometer that realized $22,500.

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Rolex 18K gold ‘Stella’ Oyster Perpetual Chronometer, 27-jewel automatic movement, President bracelet. Price realized: $22,500. Rago Arts and Auction Center image

Other highlights from the sale included: lot 1190, lot 1380, a Bulgari rubellite tourmaline, peridot and pearl collar necklace in 18K gold, which sold for $20,000; and lot 1001, a Tiffany & Co. Aesthetic Movement mixed metal dragonfly brooch, which flew past the high estimate of $5,000 to achieve $16,250.

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