DALLAS – Heritage Auctions‘ May 2 Spring Fine Jewelry event contains a truly spectacular 404-lot lineup that no ardent collector will want to miss. It includes a suite commissioned by Joan Crawford from Raymond Yard as well as the largest private collection of ear clips by the legendary Paris-based American jewelry designer known as JAR. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Under normal circumstances, one must be personally approved by Joel Arthur Rosenthal in order to purchase one of the magnificent jewelry designs he produces in Paris under the name JAR. But during Heritage Auctions’ May 2  sale — which features the largest private collection of composite, titanium and aluminum JAR ear clips ever to have been offered at auction — bidders will have the chance to take home one of the internationally adored jeweler’s coveted creations.

Renowned for his sculptural, meticulously crafted designs, Rosenthal counts celebrities such as Gywneth Paltrow, Ellen Barkin and Elle Macpherson as fans. Born in New York City, he opened his Paris boutique in 1978 after a stint with Bulgari, and, in 2013, he became the first living jeweler to have an exhibition of his work staged at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

“JAR is to jewelry as Jeff Koons is to contemporary art,” said Brett O’Connor, Heritage Auctions senior director of private sales, jewelry and timepieces. “The fact that he produces only about 70 pieces each year makes his exclusive designs even more noteworthy.”

JAR’s wearable works of art featured in Heritage’s spring event include 20 pairs of bold, beautiful ear clips by the designer whom Diane von Furstenberg once called “the Faberge of our time.” Made of materials such as titanium, aluminum and resin, the featured ear clips — many of which pay homage to nature with floral and foliate designs — come from the collection of a single consignor, a fashion-savvy collector who had the vision to begin her assemblage nearly a decade ago.

“Heritage is thrilled to have been chosen to offer this impressive and bold collection of ear clips by the world-renowned jeweler,” O’Connor said. “Instantly recognizable as JAR, these 20 pairs of ear clips are fun, collectible and very fashionable. This is a rare opportunity to obtain a jewel by JAR from a diverse and beautiful collection.”

Awash in shades of blue, green, purple, orange and pink, the featured offerings include nature-inspired ear clips sculpted into the shape of geraniums, pansies, almond blossoms, gardenias and leaves. Other outside-the-box shapes include pinwheels, cones, fans, hoops, spirals and shields.

All of the JAR jewels in this auction carry an estimate of $5,000 to $7,000, with a $2,500 reserve.

“From an investment perspective, this line has consistently gone up in value over the years and is highly collectible,” O’Connor said. “And our spring event offers a seldom seen chance to purchase one of JAR’s remarkable creations at an affordable price.”

Spectacular as the JAR ear clips are, they are not the only stars in the auction. Another formidable headliner is a Raymond Yard citrine and gold jewelry suite commissioned by Joan Crawford. Consisting of a statement-making necklace, brooch and bracelet, the suite, estimated at $15,000-$20,000 — which Crawford wore in the 1941 film When Ladies Meet and in a print ad for Royal Crown Cola — was created by Yard especially for the Academy Award-winning actress. The famed jeweler was a bit of a celebrity himself, earning renown among America’s elite for his exquisite Art Deco designs and the fine custom pieces he crafted for families such as the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers and du Ponts.

The Crawford-commissioned suite in this auction stands out as one of the jeweler’s most elegant creations, earning a spot in the 2007 book YARD: The Life and Magnificent Jewelry of Raymond C. Yard.

Though the owners of the following collections may never have seen their name in lights, the pieces they amassed deserve top billing nonetheless.

Property from the Phyllis Rubin Estate: An artist and self-made businesswoman, Phyllis Rubin was known for her impeccable taste and appreciation for the finer things in life, including jewels. Case in point: a stunning 19.02-carat diamond and platinum ring, estimated at $150,000-$200,000.

Property of a Lady: This collector has a fondness for big, beautiful diamonds, including a sparkling 21.93-carat diamond and gold necklace, estimated at $200,000-$250,000, and an unmounted diamond weighing 17.39 carats, estimated at $150,000-$200,000.

Property from the Cary M. Maguire Estate: Cary Maguire was a leader in the energy industry and a dedicated philanthropist, perhaps most notably for his years of support of Southern Methodist University. Two highlights from his estate include a pendant featuring a cushion-shaped tanzanite weighing 105.10 carats, estimated at $50,000-$75,000, and a Dunay necklace with a triangular-shaped peridot weighing approximately 56.00 carats, estimated at $10,000-$15,000.

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