Christie’s is set to light up New York City with Magnificent Jewels, a live auction taking place on June 17 at Rockefeller Center. The upcoming sale brings together some of the most historically rich and visually striking pieces to ever appear at auction, offering a rare mix of legacy, rarity, and modern appeal.
The collection features The Blue Belle, a 392.52-carat Sri Lankan sapphire set with diamonds, valued between $8 million and $12 million. Discovered in Ratnapura in 1926, the gem was purchased in 1937 with the intention of gifting it to Queen Elizabeth, the future Queen Mother, during King George VI’s coronation. The presentation never took place, and the necklace passed through several private owners before reappearing at a Geneva auction in 2014. It now returns to Christie’s as the highlight of the sale.
Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International Head of Jewelry, said, “Christie’s is pleased to present the full selection of Magnificent Jewels to our clients and collectors. Leading the sale is the Blue Belle Sapphire, a 392.52-carat gem of exceptional size, color, and clarity. Sapphires of this caliber are extraordinarily rare. This remarkable stone must be considered among the most prestigious colored gemstones to appear on the market in many years—truly worthy of any world-class collection.”
Another standout piece is The Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond, a 10.38-carat kite-shaped fancy purple-pink diamond ring with deep royal roots and an estimate of $3 million to $5 million. The diamond is believed to date back to the mid-18th century and is linked to Queen Marie Antoinette, who, according to legend, entrusted her most precious jewels to her hairdresser during a desperate attempt to flee Paris in 1791. While the queen’s escape failed, the jewels reportedly made it into the hands of her daughter, Duchess Marie Thérèse de Angoulême, and were later passed down to her niece, Duchess Marie Thérèse de Chambord.
Eventually, a will identified its next owner, Queen Marie Theresa of Bavaria, who described it as “a pink solitaire diamond from Aunt Chambord.” Housed in a velvet case alongside a hat pin marked with the Austrian Imperial Warrant, the ring carries a legacy of European royalty. The diamond last appeared publicly at auction in 1996 and has since been reimagined into a contemporary ring by Joel Arthur Rosenthal (JAR), blending modern artistry with historical depth.
The auction will also feature a 66.74-carat unmounted diamond with D color and VVS1 clarity, estimated between $3.2 million and $4.2 million, and a 17.98-carat light blue pear-shaped diamond ring set in platinum, expected to sell for $1 million to $1.5 million.
Other key pieces include signature designs from global jewelry houses. Among them: a Cartier Onyx, Emerald, and Diamond ‘Panthère’ Brooch (Estimate $250,000–$350,000); a Cartier Art Deco Multi-Gem and Diamond Shoulder Brooch (Estimate $100,000–$150,000); a rare Van Cleef & Arpels Sapphire and Diamond Ring (Estimate $400,000–$600,000); and an Important Chaumet Colored Diamond and Sapphire Ring (Estimate $500,000–$700,000).
Two pieces that once belonged to fashion icon Elsa Schiaparelli are included in the sale. A Suzanne Belperron Star Sapphire and Sapphire ‘Plastron’ Necklace (Estimate $250,000–$350,000) and a Diamond ‘Torsade’ Bracelet (Estimate $100,000–$150,000) both carry the kind of provenance highly sought after by collectors.
Several significant private collections will also be represented, including Color and Ingenuity: The Collection of Lucille Coleman, The Jewelry Collection of Anne H. Bass, and Magnificent Mughal Jewels: Property from a Royal Collection.
This auction brings together an extraordinary collection of rare stones and legendary pieces, making it a unique event for both collectors and history enthusiasts. The significance of The Blue Belle and the fascinating history behind The Marie-Thérèse Pink ensure that Christie’s June sale offers more than just jewelry, it offers legacies that sparkle as brightly as the gems themselves.
