Sotheby’s sales of Magnificent Jewels and Always in Style, a one-owner jewelry collection, achieved a combined total of $39,608,676, exceeding the combined pre-sale high estimate of $35.3 million. The New York sale of Magnificent Jewels was 91.7% sold by value and 83.7% sold by lot with colored diamonds, colored stones, and pieces with exceptional provenance dominating the most sought after lots.

The special collection Always in Style: 150 Years of Artistic Jewels, which featured a chronology of jewelry design over the last two centuries featuring examples from the 19th century, BelleÖ¹poque, Art Deco, 1940’s & 1950’s and modern periods, was 90.5% sold by value and 87.1% sold by lot. The top price of the day was achieved by a Magnificent Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond Necklace, which soared to $3,554,500 (est. $2/3 million). The necklace featured 42 GIA-certified fancy vivid yellow diamonds weighing a total of 100.17 carats set in a graduated riviere style necklace, and is believed to be the first necklace set entirely with fancy vivid yellow diamonds ever to have appeared at auction.

Lisa Hubbard, Chairman of the International Jewelry Department, North & South America commented, “The various owners sale today brought the second highest total ever for a Magnificent Jewels auction in New York. It was a sophisticated sale for connoisseurs, defined by the extremely rare colored diamonds and colored gemstones that were offered for sale. Having traveled with the highlights around the world for the last two months, it’s clear this is a global market with buyers seeking top quality stones and special pieces wherever they are offered.”

“Amongst the highlights of the sale today were some of the finest colored stones from private collections we’ve had the privilege to offer in New York,” said Gary Schuler, Director of Jewelry in New York. “Whether they are sapphires, rubies or emeralds, the market has demonstrated its continuing desire to own the rarest and finest from each of these categories as evidenced by the exceptional results we commanded.”