SOLD FOR: $13,672,493

“Alexandre Reza perfectly understood that jewels are the most personal of decoration.”

Alexandre Reza, who died in January, is considered one of the greatest jewelers and gem collectors in modern history. In the mid–20th century, he supplied gems to such firms as Cartier, Boucheron, Harry Winston, and Bulgari before establishing his own brand and atelier in Paris. This fancy blue and colorless diamond brooch-pendant, which sold for $13.7 million at Sotheby’s Geneva May 17, “demonstrates the lightness of composition and the craftsmanship for which his works are so well known,” says David Bennett, worldwide chairman of Sotheby’s jewelry division. Each of Reza’s jewels, he adds, “reflected his skill not only in the selection of fine and diverse diamonds and gemstones,” but also in the creation of “delicate, innovative designs for which he was justly renowned.” 

Brooch with a 6.64 ct. t.w. marquise-cut fancy intense blue diamond, two pear-cut fancy intense blue diamonds (2.01 ct. and 1.01 ct.), and colorless diamond accents (photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)