20ct. Flawless Diamond Leads Christie's Sale

RAPAPORT... A 20.47-carat flawless diamond ring was the top seller atChristie's Magnificent Jewels auction in New York on Tuesday.The old-mine, brilliant-cut, D-color, type IIa piece soldfor $2.7 million. Its pre-sale estimate was $2.5 million to $3.5 million.Another top lot was a heart-shaped, 15.36-carat diamond pendantnecklace by Leviev, which fetched $1.6 million, exceeding its pre-sale estimateof $1.3 million to $1.5 million. A diamond fringe necklace, featuringpear-shaped and marquise-cut diamonds suspended from a row of oval-shapeddiamonds, went for $1.6 million against an estimate of $1.5 million to $2million. Overall, 89% of lots sold for a total of $20 million.Jewels from the collection of Peggy and David Rockefelleralso went under the hammer at the auction. The items fetched a combined $3.1 million, notincluding online sales. The entire collection of 1,500 pieces, including artworkssuch as a $115 million Picasso, sold out for $835.1 million - thehighest total for a private collection sold at auction, Christie's said. Allproceeds will go to charities that the couple supported during theirlifetime.The next Christie's jewelry sale is the Important Jewelsauction, which will take place on June 13 in London.