A four-strand natural coloured pearl necklace leads Christie’s spring sale of Magnificent Jewels next month.
Held in New York City on April 14, the auction will showcase the necklace, which features black pearls, among the most rare of natural gems. The piece is estimated to sell for $3.8 to $4.5 million US.
According to Christie’s, very few black and grey pearl necklaces have been offered for sale in the past 50 years, the most famous being The Nina Dyer Black Pearl Necklace, first sold at Christie’s Geneva in May 1969 and more recently, The Cowdray Pearls sold at Christie’s London in June 2012.
The auction is expected to achieve more than $40 million US.
“After a record-breaking year in 2014 in which Christie’s jewellery department realized an unprecedented $754.7 million in sales, we are proud to begin the jewellery auction season with this exceptional sale of Magnificent Jewels in New York,” said Rahul Kadakia, international head of Christie’s Jewelry.
“The auction on April 14 is comprised of superior quality diamonds, rare coloured gemstones, and natural pearls that present collectors remarkable opportunities to acquire one-of-a-kind rare jewels.”
Other lots include a coloured diamond and diamond necklace by Graff estimated at $500,000 to $700,000 and a pear-shape, D-colour potentially internally flawless diamond pendant of 25.49 carats estimated at $2.5 million to $3.5 million.
