Christies sets jewels price record

A tiara and a blue diamond ring broke jewel price records along with two royal collections that dazzled Christie’s important jewels auction.

An antique diamond tiara, circa 1890 by Fabergé fetched a record price of £1 050,400 at Christies Important Jewels auction held at London on 13th June.  A circular cut greyish-Blue diamond also broke the record for price per carat at the auction selling at £ 2,596,000.

The auction featured two royal collections from Italy and Yugoslavia with over 200 jewels of exceptional provenance and elegance dating from the early 16th century through to the 20th century.

The Highlight of the sale, the tiara, was from the Collection of HRH Princess Maria Gabriella di Savoia who inherited it from her mother HM Queen Maria José of Italy. Queen Maria had inherited this tiara from her brother Prince Karl Theodor, the Count of Flanders, upon his death. In the Count’s will it was referred to as 'The Empress Josephine Tiara'.

Another collection of Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna (1854 -1920), met with a positive response. The 41 jewels from her collection realized £1,703,164, and HRH Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia’s collection realised £803,280. 

Director of Christie’s Jewellery, London, Raymond Sancroft-Baker, said: “The result of the sale demonstrates the outstanding strength of the diamond market and London’s pre-eminent position in selling outstanding jewellery”.