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Christies Diamond Investment - Antique Cartier Jewelry Auction Records

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Safe Haven Buying of Diamonds and Jewels

Christies Great Estates Diamond Jewelry and Antique Jewelry Auctions continue to attract record buyers. The fragile financial world has not blunted diamond and jewel auctions as record prices continue. Safe haven buying of diamonds and jewels was seen at Christie's semi-annual sales in Geneva this week. Precious metals continued to attract record prices with gold seeing record prices in U.S. Dollar, Swiss Franc and Euro terms this week. The flight to safe havens from the fiat currencies, emerging assets and equities has seen auctions for vintage music memorabilia; watches, contemporary art and comic book art all attract record prices. In short those with money no longer trust banks or sovereigns to park their money and are seeking unique assets for sanctuary.

The stand out appropriately was a flawless diamond. A flawless rectangular-cut 40.21 carat white diamond sold for 5,699,000 million Swiss francs (US$5.14 million). The buyer was anonymous and came in above expectations of $4.5 million-$5.5 million Swiss Francs. Safe haven buying of diamonds and jewels had joined the other auctions with new record prices. Christies Great Estates Fine Arts auctions have achieved record prices. It only seem logical in this environment that diamond jewelry, antique jewelry auctions continue the rush for unique real assets.

UNIQUE 'WHITE LIGHT' DIAMOND BROOCH, WITH STEINMETZ DIAMONDS, DESIGNED BY SHAUN LEANE Bargain at CHF 1,107,000
See all 5 photos
UNIQUE 'WHITE LIGHT' DIAMOND BROOCH, WITH STEINMETZ DIAMONDS, DESIGNED BY SHAUN LEANE Bargain at CHF 1,107,000
Magnificent White Diamond Ring - a steal at CHF5,699,000
Magnificent White Diamond Ring - a steal at CHF5,699,000

Spreading the Wealth


Jewelry sales from Christie's auction brought in $33.9 million. This was well above the high end of Christies own pre-auction estimate. What I found interesting was the new investors to this category, 89 percent of the 220 lots on offer went to new owners Christies said. 

Francois Curiel, President of Christie's Switzerland, said in a statement that 'the vigor seen in the US and Asia was equaled here in Europe, with strong prices achieved for fine jewelry, watches and wine. Demand for stellar examples rivaled that seen at the height of the market, which very much seems to have returned 'en force',' 

Jean-Marc Lunel, head of Christie's jewelry department in Geneva commented on the auction, 'Once again diamonds dominated the total, although signed period jewels proved the most popular pieces in the sale.

SPECTACULAR DIAMOND RIVIRE CHF 5,251,000 at the Geneva Sale
SPECTACULAR DIAMOND RIVIRE CHF 5,251,000 at the Geneva Sale
Fancy Color Diamonds
Fancy Color Diamonds
Amazon Price: $175.00

White Light, White Heat

Modern contemporary jewelry creations are also sought after investors as evidenced by the successful contemporary art auction this week. When investing in fine jewelry uniqueness is sought after as exemplified by the much sought after diamond and enamel brooch weighing nearly 41 carats. The brooch was designed by the award-winning British jeweler Shaun Leane and featured 13 pear-shaped Steinmetz diamonds with smaller pave diamonds mounted in white gold.

Christie's said Leane had named the piece 'White Light' after finding inspiration from Dylan Thomas’s poem about the first snow of winter. It sold for 1.107 million Swiss francs to a New York jewelry dealer. Inspiration for buyers had been gossiped as White Light/White Heat by New York underground rock legends The Velvet Underground.

Another contemporary designer, Harry Winston blew away expectations. Lot 206 An Important Diamond Ring, By Harry Winston sold for CHF3, 067,000 (US$2,768,278) well above the estimated CHF1, 500,000 - CHF2, 500,000 ($1,353,659 - $2,256,098)

AN IMPORTANT DIAMOND RING, BY HARRY WINSTON sold for CHF 3,067,000
AN IMPORTANT DIAMOND RING, BY HARRY WINSTON sold for CHF 3,067,000
A VERY FINE ART DECO MULTI-GEM 'TUTTI-FRUTTI' BRACELET, BY CARTIER CHF1,023,000 12 May 2010 Geneva - Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues
A VERY FINE ART DECO MULTI-GEM 'TUTTI-FRUTTI' BRACELET, BY CARTIER CHF1,023,000 12 May 2010 Geneva - Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues

Cartier

Cartier and America
Cartier and America
Amazon Price: $19.39
List Price: $34.95
Cartier: Innovation Through the 20th Century
Cartier: Innovation Through the 20th Century
Amazon Price: $40.05
List Price: $65.00
High Jewelry by Cartier: Contemporary Creations
High Jewelry by Cartier: Contemporary Creations
Amazon Price: $87.50
List Price: $125.00

Cartier Jewelry in Demand

Jean-Marc Lunel noted the heavy demand for Cartier pieces. 'Two private collections of fine vintage jewelry virtually sold out for $9.9 million, while every lot in the special 'Cartier section' found a buyer, achieving a total of $4.2 million'. Astonishing prices when every time you pick up the financial times it is a tale of doom and gloom.

A 1928 Cartier 'Tutti Frutti' bracelet from the Art Deco period sold for to 1.023 million Swiss francs to Hancocks & Co of London. This was more than five times the pre-sale estimate for the gorgeous bracelet set with rubies, sapphires, diamonds, emerald and onyx beads which, bought it, according to the statement.

The Cartier ‘Riviere’ necklace sold for 5.25 million Swiss francs to an Asian private collector. This also was way above estimates; the estimate had been for $1.8 million-$2.4 million. The necklace had 20 round diamonds weighing in at 155.17 carats.

Diamond and jewel auction record prices was contagious. The fervor was not just over at Christies, Sotheby's jewelry auctions on Tuesday, also in Geneva netted 60 million Swiss francs ($54.10 million). To give you an idea of the demand pressure on fine jewelry this was almost double the LOW END of Sotheby’s pre-sale estimate. Safe haven buying of diamonds and jewels has shown to be a new market away from traditional investment for the well healed. Christies Great Estates diamond jewelry and antique jewelry auctions have also been a barometer of the world's millionaires and the growing number from India, Brazil and China.

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Comments on Safe Haven Buying of Diamonds and Jewels

Nellieanna 2 years ago

Well, well. Now I know what to do with my fortune should I ever have one! LOL. Not sure, though, which is scarier - a piece of paper listing figures of investments one's supposed to "own" or a safe full of exotic, incredibly valuable hard rocks no one dare look at or wear and constantly in danger of jewel thieves! But I did love those old movies like the ones with Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant when they managed to get past the laser beams and alarm systems to steal some valuable gem worth, oh - maybe $10,000. LOL - ah - those were the days! hehe

This was truly interesting and informative, Billy.

My ex daughter-in-law is the senior vice-president of Dallas' own leading jewel establishment (they don't call themselves jewelers or the place a "jewelry" store. It's just Eisemann's Jewels - right across the mall from some imposter called Tiffany's.)

She's surely licking her chops at the new turn of the market! Their customers are folks like Ross Perot, who shops for all his Christmas gifts there. When Mr. "E" offered to show my George some wedding jewelry when we married, my poor darling looked at everything, thanked Mr. E and headed down the mall to where the affordable stuff was. LOL

breakfastpop 2 years ago

Terrific hub, as always!

billyaustindillon 2 years ago

Nellieanna great comments - it is a long way from Breakfast at Tiffany's with these prices - what is amazing is how far above the expected prices these things are going for, which of course fits in with the whole fiat currency argument. Sounds like you daughter is in the right place at the right time - good on here, I hope she benefits from it! I love the Tiffany imposter quip :) Affordable seems to way gone from logic with these prices and they always were unaffordable for 85% of us - it just seems that is 98% now!

billyaustindillon 2 years ago

Thanks Pop, I was wondering if your were in Geneva last week :)

Beth100 2 years ago

Exquisite pieces! Ahhh, if only it would rain diamonds instead of snow up here in Canada! I enjoyed your hub -- interesting information.

billyaustindillon 2 years ago

Thanks Beth - hope you staying rugged up there in Canada!

prettydarkhorse 2 years ago

HMM< now we are talking, the prices are up and the buying is at a record again, WOW for the prices as well, Thanks Billy, Maita

prey 2 years ago

Ok this is a perfect example of what a hub should be.

LOVIBG IT!

thanks

want diamonds please email some immediately

billyaustindillon 2 years ago

Now you can go out and cash that big jewelry collection Maita :)

billyaustindillon 2 years ago

Prey glad you love the hub - will let you know when there are a few diamonds lying around.

msorensson 2 years ago

You were right, Billy. I enjoyed the hub.

I particularly liked that piece an important diamond by Harry Winston, although he has emerald collections that make me dizzy.

In general, I like emeralds more than diamonds, but for investment purposes, those people who bought the diamonds can not go wrong. They got it from legitimate sources so I am all for that.

How come you did not include Bvlgari? I like those too.

Thank you!!

billyaustindillon 2 years ago

Melinda with regards to Bvlgari I just covered the auction and took the biggest overs as far as expectations went and also the Cartier is sought after, White Light made for a good story too :) Now if only I had a lazy 5 million Swiss Franc lying around....

Sandyspider 2 years ago

I want that diamond brooch. Can you spare me the money? Nice hub.

IjahJoyCreations 2 years ago

Thanks so much for this hub. I am an aspiring jewelry designer and hoping one day to be able to compete in that kind of market.

msorensson 2 years ago

Billy, Thank you!!

Billy, all good things to those who wait.

By those who wait, I mean the people who are not willing to hurt others for selfish means.

billyaustindillon 2 years ago

Sandy it is impressive - and a bargain to boot !!

billyaustindillon 2 years ago

I look forward to reading about IjahJoyCreations in a similar vein one day - thanks for dropping by.

billyaustindillon 2 years ago

Well said Melinda - the markets have a habit of punishing those you put greed and selfishness first - so there is hope. Have a plan, develop and expand and you are on the right path to that diamond brooch.

Peggy W 22 months ago

Some beautiful pieces pictured in this hub. Most people that can afford those kind of pieces keep them safely tucked away and wear fakes that look like them or have bodyguards surrounding them if and when they actually do wear them. Kind of crazy when you think of it. Guess for investment purposes, they ARE prettier to look at rather than some piece of paper!

billyaustindillon 22 months ago

Peggy that is so true - when can you ever seriously wear them. For the investors I think they just don't trust banks, government or paper assets. From some of course it is ego and some just love art. Amazing sums and one would have to think it has to pull back at some point.

Peggy W 11 months ago

Hi Billy,

In addition to that...it is not exactly a liquid investment! If one HAD to sell, one may or may not get the appreciation in value expected. Like you said, at some point in time things cannot continue to keep going up. There must be a ceiling somewhere and at that point there is a downside. Guess we won't have those particular worries having to do with antique cartier jewelry. Ha!

billyaustindillon 11 months ago

I think if you buy it you pretty much have to own it unless there is an intense bull market squeeze - illiquid indeed as there is so few market players

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