PERCY MARKS
Lily Safra
Art Patrons Lily and Edmond Safra devoted themselves to collecting the finest art and jewels through decades of connoisseurship. On May 14, 2012, Mrs. Safra offered a superb collection of her jewellery for the benefit of a wide variety of arts, education, science and humanitarian relief efforts across the globe.
The sale prices at Christies Geneva, surpassed expectations to such an extent that Safra appeared at the closes of the auction and announced that she was expanding the original list of 20 charities by an additional 12, each of which was to receive $ 1 million from the sale.
The headline of this “Jewels of Hope” sale was the Hope ruby, a 32.08 carat Burmese Ruby and diamond ring by Chaumet, shown here, that sold for $6, 743, 440. The price was a world record for any ruby sold at auction and had been in the collection of the Countess du Boisrouvray.
The sale featured 18 Jewels by Paris-based American designer JAR, his group brought $11, 473, 920.
Though studded with classic brand names, the 69 lot collection revealed Safra’s own taste and style and included pieces by Suzanne Belperron and Fred Leighton, as well as antique, unsigned Jewels.
ESTEE AND EVELYN LAUDER
The two-person collection of Estee Lauder and her daughter in law, Evelyn, attracted hordes of admirers at Sothebys New York on December 5, 2012.
Like the sales of many-high profile personalities, this one was compiling both of the personal life stories of the owners as well as the fine quality of the gems and jewels.
Most bidders for the top lots were left in the dust by Laurence Graff, the determined competitor who took the top three, led by an internally flawless 6.54 carat-fancy intense pink diamond set in a ring by Oscar Heyman and Brothers, shown here, that fetched $8, 594, 500.
It was followed by Graffs purchase of a vivid yellow diamond weighing 52.73 carats for $ 3, 890, 500 and a D potentially flawless 22.16 carat diamond for 3,442, 500. The proceeds were all destined for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
