Less than six months after Christie’s held the record-breaking auction of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry , the legendary auction house has another major celebrity sale on its hands: the sale of reclusive copper heiress Huguette Clark’s stunning diamonds and Cartier and Tiffany jewelry, all from the Art Deco period. Christie’s says the collection could fetch $9 million to $12 million when it goes up for auction in April. The last known photo of copper heiress Huguette Clark When Christie’s jewelry department head Rahul Kadakia saw the contents inside the jewelry vault of Huguette Clark, who died last year at 104 years old, he was stunned at the gorgeous jewelry and gems, all in their original boxes, that the heiress had stowed away since the 1940s. “It was like chasing a rainbow and finding a big pot of gold at the end of it,” Kadakia said of discovering one exquisite signed designer piece after another. So which of Huguette Clark’s pieces will go on the auction block at the April 17 th Christie’s sale? The most exquisite piece is a 9 carat cushion cut pink diamond ring that Huguette inherited from her mother. Given the huge price tag of the last pink diamond auctioned by Christie’s — a 5 carat pink diamond that sold for $ 2 million per carat – the auction house expects this gorgeously cut, perfect condition pink diamond from 1910 to sell for $10 million to $15 million. Another of Huguette’s gorgeous diamond rings is expected to fetch $2 million to $4 million at the April Christie’s auction. The spectacular GIA certified 19.86 carat rectangular cut white diamond has the best color grade, D color, is internally flawless and was cut in the 1930s by famed jeweler Cartier . Christie’s officials said that even in the dimly lit bank vault, they immediately knew the colorless diamond was a spectacular stone. And given the world’s fascination with Art Deco jewelry, two 1920s signed Cartier diamond bracelets will likely be hot items at the Huguette Clark sale. The first, a gorgeous geometric link diamond bracelet circa 1925 bearing the Cartier signature, is expected to sell for $300,000 to $500,000. The second, also circa 1925, is a sleek Art Deco Cartier diamond bracelet with chic rectangular emerald accent stones, valued at $50,000 to $70,000. Huguette was wearing these two exquisite Cartier Art Deco bracelets in her last known photograph. (The Tiffany & Co. single-strand pearl necklace also featured in that photo is set to sell for $20,000 to $30,000.) Other items up for auction Some of Huguette’s other pieces up for auction include an Art Deco Mother of Pearl, coral and diamond desk clock from Cartier , which could fetch $15,000 or more; a diamond , ruby and sapphire American flag brooch by Cartier, worth $30,000 to $50,000; a ruby , sapphire and emerald gold Tiffany & Co. bracelet circa 1915, estimated at $30,000 to $50,000, and possibly made by Louis Comfort Tiffany; and an onyx, turquoise and diamond photograph frame by Cartier with a portrait of Huguette’s younger sister inside, worth $5,000 to $7,000. Art Deco and Diamond & Estate Trust Huguette Clark’s collection showcases the best of sleek, geometric Art Deco jewelry design from some of the most chic designers of the era. Want to own a piece of vintage 1920s jewelry but can’t make it to the April auction ? Diamond & Estate Trust has an exquisite collection of Art Deco bracelets, including gorgeous sapphire and diamond bracelets , brooches , and rings that will add vintage flair to your collection. And with the 1920s roaring back into vogue lately, there’s no better time to treat yourself to a piece of Art Deco jewelry. Want to hear more about Huguette’s jewelry and gems? Here’s a video of Christie’s jewelry department head Rahul Kadakia talking about the amazing pieces found in Huguette’s vault! Diamond & Estate Trust is the most trusted diamond and vintage jewelry seller in Los Angeles and Southern California. With an exquisite collection of diamonds , rubies , sapphires and emeralds, estate jewelry and watches, Diamond & Estate Trust can help you find the perfect vintage or signature piece for any occasion. Read more: Huguette Clark Christie’s Auction – Art Deco Jewelry and Gems
