Kashmir sapphire ring caps Litchfield jewelry auction at $377K
Six-carat Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring from the estate of Rosalie Coe Weir. Sold for $377,000. Litchfield Auctions image
LITCHFIELD, Conn. – A brilliant combination of quality and elegance produced record-breaking results in Litchfield Auctions’ important and fine jewelry sale on Sept. 15. The curated 360-lot auction achieved a 100 percent sell-through rate, with most items selling at or above estimate. The sale realized $960,500 with premium, doubling its presale estimate. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.
The top lot was an exceptional 6-carat Kashmir sapphire ring set with 1.20 carats of baguette diamonds (above). The ring came from the New York estate of Rosalie Coe Weir. With an estimate of $100,000/150,000, the ring had 12 eager bidders on phone lines driving the final price to a whopping $377,000 with premium. It represents one of the highest-priced objects ever to sell at Litchfield Auctions.
Four-carat diamond and platinum engagement ring from the estate of Rosalie Coe Weir. Sold for $78,000. Litchfield Auctions image
Though several estates were featured in the auction, the Weir collection set the stage for fantastic highlights all around. A timeless 4-carat diamond and platinum engagement ring sold for $78,000; a striking 7-carat Burmese sapphire and diamond ring (above), $59,800; a pair of Cartier diamond brooch clips (below), $29,900; a French-cut diamond tennis bracelet, $26,000; and a single 3.29-carat cushion-cut loose diamond went for $20,800.
Pair of Cartier diamond brooch clips from the estate of Rosalie Coe Weir. Sold for $29,900. Litchfield Auctions image
Designer gems and jewels also took the lead with strong bids and sale results exceeded auction estimates. A Cartier ruby and platinum tennis bracelet went out the door for $24,050; a Cartier ruby and diamond cocktail ring (below) at $16,900; a Tiffany & Co. emerald and diamond dinner ring sold for $10,075; and a Cartier emerald and diamond cluster ring went for $4,940.
Cartier ruby and diamond cocktail ring, from the estate of Rosalie Coe Weir. Sold for $16,900. Litchfield Auctions image
Figural brooches were also some of the crowd’s favorite items, including an 18K gold and jeweled salamander brooch (below) by Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. which sold for $6,825; a Van Cleef and Arpels 18K gold rabbit with emerald eyes and a ruby nose at $5,070; and an 18K gold modernist horse head brooch for $4,290.
18K gold and jeweled Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. salamander brooch. Sold for $6,825. Litchfield Auctions image
Other highlights in the sale included a 5-strand natural pearl necklace (below) with diamond clasp that sold for eight times its estimate at $8,775; an 18K yellow gold link necklace, $5,590; an Angela Cummings 18K gold link bracelet, $3,770; and a women’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual DateJust 31 watch from the collection of Tony Award-nominated actress Jo Sullivan Loesser, which sold for $4,680.
Five-strand natural pearl necklace with diamond clasp. Sold for $8,775. Litchfield Auctions image
A select portion of the sale was dedicated to contemporary and artist-made jewelry, many in cloisonné and enamel with naturalistic motifs. Prices in this section of the sale also saw strong bidding and high value in their sales. A statement necklace with a beetle pendant on silver with turquoise beads by Kristin Schwartz, aka Holeman, sold for $4,940; a cloisonné enamel sea life necklace went for $4,810; and an impressive puka shell crab necklace at $3,510. Additionally, a lapis lazuli bead necklace went for $2,340, and a pendant in the form of a Sugpiag woman by artist Denise Wallace more than tripled its high estimate at a sales price of $3,770.
For more information contact Litchfield Auctions: 860-567-4661 or sales@litchfieldcountyauctions.com.
