Auctions: Yellow diamonds add sparkle to Geneva sales

May is the month of jewel sales at home and abroad

The Allnatt, a fancy vivid yellow diamond of 101.29 carats at Sotheby's, Geneva.

Kashmir sapphires, Burmese rubies, Colombian emeralds and lots and lots of diamonds — what’s not to like? Traditionally this is the month for sales which bring a global audience of very rich buyers to Geneva for eye-watering jewels with all sorts of exotic provenance and stories.

The collections of modern and historic jewellery at sales like these are fascinating.

Some lots make millions. But passion for fine jewellery is not the exclusive preserve of the super-rich. There will be plenty of pickings for the rest of us at sales next Tuesday at both James Adam in Dublin and Matthews in Kells and O’Reilly’s in Dublin on Wednesday with no shortage of choices across all price levels.

Turquoise, lapis lazuli and diamond bracelet at Adams.

On the international scene, yellow diamonds are the flavour of the month this month. Christie’s will offer The Yellow Rose in Geneva on Wednesday, an unmounted rare fancy intense yellow pear modified and brilliant cut diamond of 202.18 carats.

Like most intense yellow diamonds, it is from South Africa where deposits are rich in nitrogen.

Sotheby’s claim to have one of the world’s most significant fancy vivid yellow diamonds as a highlight of their magnificent jewels sale in Geneva on Tuesday

The Allnatt — named for its first recorded owner Major Alfred Allnatt, renowned British racehorse owner, philanthropist and patron of the arts — weighs in at 101.29 carats and is celebrated for its richly saturated gold colour, older cutting style and elegant 1950s mounting by Cartier. It too originates in South Africa and the estimate is 5.6 million - 6.5 million Swiss francs (€5.74m-€6.67m).

Both sales are distinguished by one-of-a-kind pieces and historic and modern jewellery from houses like Harry Winston, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany, JAR and many others.

An exceptional pigeon's blood ruby and diamond ring at Christie's, Geneva with an estimate of €666,770- €1,025,795. The 5.03 carat ruby originated in Burma (Myanmar).

Meantime in Ireland, viewing is underway both in Dublin and in Kells for the jewellery sales on May 14 at Adams and Matthews and the regular monthly jewellery and silver sale at O’Reilly’s of Francis St. in Dublin takes place on Wednesday.

Top lots at Adams include a c1960 Serpenti bracelet watch and a ruby and diamond ring both by Bulgari. Each is estimated at €40,000-€60,000. A rare turquoise, lapis lazuli and diamond bracelet by Fred, Paris c1960 is estimated at €20,000-€30,000.

A Trinity bangle by Cartier is estimated at €6,000-€8,000 while a Trinity ring by the same maker (€700-€900) is one of a selection of lots available at under €1,000 in a catalogue with 268 lots in total.

A vintage diamond and enamel ring by David Morris hallmarked London 1975 is the top lot at O’Reilly’s with an estimate of €58,000-€65,000. It comes with a gold rope link and black enamel surround. A total of 234 lots will come under the hammer.

In Kells, the auction at Matthews will offer silver and gold from various executor instructions, pawnbrokers’ unredeemed pledges and lots from private clients. The top lot is a Toi et Moi diamond ring (€12,000-€18,000).

A selection of lots from Matthews sale in Kells on  Tuesday.

There is much to choose from in a wide selection of rings, brooches, bracelets, earrings, pendants and wristwatches.

Happy hunting....