Sotheby’s High Jewelry Sales Prove the Enduring Power of Diamonds and Colorful Gems

Sotheby’s is on a roll with its high jewelry. Its recent sale, which closed earlier in June, saw stunning profits at  in New York, garnering $31.4 million from 104 pieces of jewelry hailing from several esteemed collections, including that of the late Emily Vanderbilt Wade. 

Bidders were especially enraptured by the jewels of a private collection titled “Joie de Vivre: Journey in Jewels,” a dazzling archive of gifts from a husband, Jack, to his wife, Louisa. Over six decades, Jack built up Louisa’s collection with pieces from iconic jewelry houses such as Graff and David Webb. A 35-carat emerald-cut Graff ring from “Joie de Vivre” was the highest-grossing piece from the collection, selling for $3.2 million after a three-minute bidding war. Other “Joie de Vivre” jewels sold for similarly high rates, including a pair of diamond and emerald drop earclips, which sold for $901,000.

Among the other heavy-hitters were a Marcus & Co ruby and diamond necklace from Vanderbilt Wade’s collection, which sold for $1.8 million, and a Fancy Vivid blue diamond ring, which sold for around $1.75 million. 

"It’s also encouraging to see that the very best white diamonds remain highly desirable, as highlighted by the stunning 35-carat Graff D color diamond, which captivated all who laid their eyes upon it. We saw remarkable enthusiasm for signed jewelry, with collectors showing appreciation for masterpieces by iconic names such as Schlumberger, Lalique, Suzanne Belperron, and Harry Winston. These results reaffirm what we have long understood: that provenance, rarity, and exceptional craftsmanship continue to ignite the passions of collectors," Head of Sotheby’s Jewels, Americas & EMEA, Quig Bruning said in a statement after the sale.