Sotheby's to Offer 11ct. Blue in NY

RAPAPORT... A fancy-vivid-blue diamond with an estimate of $20 millionto $30 million will head up Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels auction in NewYork next month. The pear-shaped, 10.62-carat, VVS1-clarity stone from aprivate European collection will go under the hammer at the December 4 sale,Sotheby's said Monday. Other notable pieces include a Harry Winston diamond ringwith a cushion-cut center stone weighing 51.52 carats, flanked by twoshield-shaped diamonds, which has a presale estimate of $3.5 million to $4.5million. An emerald-cut, 25.03-carat diamond ring valued at $2.9 million to$3.5 million will also feature in the sale. Sotheby's will also sell a ring containing an oval-shaped, 8.11-caratruby surrounded by oval-shaped yellow diamonds, with a presale valuation of $2.5million to $3.5 million. A cushion-cut, 16.46-carat sapphire ring with threemarquise-shaped diamonds on each side is expected to fetch $1.3 million to $1.8million. A collection of jewels belonging to Happy Rockefeller, aphilanthropist and the wife of former US Vice President Nelson Rockefeller,will also be up for auction. Her sapphire and emerald bracelet, accented withsingle-cut diamonds, is valued at $150,000 to $250,000, while a Van Cleef &Arpels diamond bracelet with intertwined round and marquise-shaped diamonds isestimated at $125,000 to $175,000. The sale will precede Sotheby's LadyBlue Eyes auction on December 6, featuring pieces from the collection of Frankand Barbara Sinatra, including a 20.60-carat diamond ring. Image: The 10.62-carat fancy-vivid blue diamond. (Sotheby's)