Monday, April 16, 2012

Bewitching Baubles

Food and travel guest blogger hkLifestyleGeek gives us her take on jewellery. Contact her at hklifestylegeek@hkfashiongeek.com

Just when we thought all the hoopla over celebrity auctions was over when the mother of all sales, the jewellery and items of Elizabeth Taylor went under the hammer, there's more to come.

Christie's will also be auctioning off some of Lily Safra's baubles -- a very wealthy woman who married four times -- and amassed some gorgeous jewellery as well. It's a discerning collection of pieces that spans the late 18th century to today, with the highlight being 18 pieces by JAR or Joel Arthur Rosenthal. Seventy jewels are up for sale, and all the proceeds will benefit 20 charities she has chosen around the world and so the auction is named "Jewels for Hope".

Here are some of the highlights:

For those wanting some big bling, this trio of rings should do the trick. On the left is a 32.08 carats cushion-shaped Burmese ruby and diamond ring by Chaumet; a 34.05 carats rectangular-cut diamond ring; and a 31.21 carats rectangular-cut Burmese sapphire and diamond ring, mounted by Boucheron.

Safra liked to collect antique jewellery, and here are some of the best examples. One is an antique Colombian emerald and diamond two-row necklace dated from the late 19th century. Another is a Belle Epoque diamond and emerald flower necklace by Cartier, from 1906; and the other is also by Cartier, a Belle Epoque diamond lavaliere necklace from 1911.
Her fruitful relationship with JAR began in 1981 after her husband the late Edmond Safra acquired a 37-carat pear-shaped diamond and she wanted an original mount. She approached JAR and he created a poppy brooch of pink and green tourmalines with their stems entwined around the diamond.
Another fantastic piece is the brilliant ruby and diamond Camellia flower brooch he made for her in 2003. Safra is selling 18 JAR pieces, the largest number up for auction ever, considering he only makes 70 to 80 pieces a year in his Paris shop.

You'll have a chance to gawk at these amazing pieces yourself when they come to Hong Kong April 27 to 28.

For more information visit christies.com
Jewels for Hope
Christie's Hong Kong
22/F, Alexandra House
18 Chater Road
Central
April 27, 10am-6pm
April 28, 10am-5:30pm

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