Highlights of Sotheby’s Upcoming Magnificent Jewels Sale in New York

By Annie Davidson Watson | December 02, 2024

Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale, set for Dec. 11 in New York, features a lineup with extraordinary provenance, including rare and historically significant pieces.

Among the standout lots are two ruby jewels that once belonged to Millicent Rogers, the glamorous granddaughter of Standard Oil partner Henry Huttleston Rogers who captivated 1920s and ’30s society with her sophistication and impeccable style. Renowned for her discerning eye and passion for jewelry, Rogers was a patron of celebrated European maisons, notably René Boivin. Only one other piece from Rogers’ trove has previously sold at auction.

Rogers’ jewels in the Sotheby’s sale, consigned directly by her family, are a two-rose brooch with diamonds by Boivin (pictured below) and ruby and sapphire earclips by Suzanne Belperron (estimate $8,000–$12,000).

*René Boivin brooch (circa 1937) with old European and single-cut diamonds, calibré-cut diamonds, and calibré-cut and buff-top rubies, estimate $80,000–$120,000*

Also on the block are jewels from the collection of beauty industry magnate Sydell Miller, including the Graff diamond necklace pictured at top, estimated to sell for $1 million to $1.5 million. Its detachable central drop has an 18 ct. pear-shape diamond. Another lot from Miller’s collection is a pair of Hemmerle pearl and diamond earclips (estimate $30,000–$50,000).

The jewel with the second-highest estimate in the auction (after the 7 ct. purplish pink diamond pictured below) is a pendant with 69 ct. fancy vivid yellow diamond, a 2.51 ct. pear-shape diamond, and cushion-cut and baguette near-colorless diamonds—expected to sell for $2.5 million to $3.5 million. Below are additional highlights from the Sotheby’s sale.