(IDEX Online) - Christie's says it will donate a "significant portion" of the commission from its sale of Heidi Horten's jewelry towards Holocaust research and education.It says the proceeds from the auction itself - estimated at $150m - will go to a foundation that furthers the philanthropic causes including medical research, children's welfare, and access to the arts, in line with her wishes.Horten inherited a fortune from her first husband Helmut Horten, who bought department stores from Jewish businessmen under duress in 1930s Germany.Last week the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) called on Christie's to donate a major portion of the proceeds to charities supporting the welfare of Holocaust survivors, as well as commemoration and education.More than 700 items of jewelry - including a 90-carat Briolette of India diamond necklace by Harry Winston (estimate $10m), and the 25-carat Cartier Sunrise ruby and diamond ring (estimate $15 to $20m) - are to be sold in Geneva this month.In a statement Anthea Peers, Christie's president for EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), acknowledged Helmut Horten's Nazi-era activities. "The provenance of each of the 700 objects up for auction is well documented, with detailed indications of purchase, and none of these jewels come from a spoliation or a forced sale from a Jewish owner," she said."Christie's has also committed to donate a significant portion of our commission to organizations that contribute to vitally important Holocaust research and education. It will be up to these organizations, if they wish, to communicate about these donations."Through this public sale, organized in a transparent manner, we are trying, for our part, to work to preserve the memory of the most painful period in history and of those who were tragically its victims."Christie's declined to say what percentage of its commission would be donated.Pic of Heidi Horten courtesy The Heidi Horten Foundation