Auction “” The World of Heidi Horten “Heidi Horten Private Jewelry Auction: Record breaking turnover of $201 million, with the most expensive ruby falling by more than half
From May 3rd to May 15th, Christie’s Geneva held the “The World of Heidi Horten” private jewelry collection auction for the late Austrian philanthropist Heidi Horten, which included two on-site auctions and one online auction, presenting 402 items with a total transaction value of over 180 million Swiss francs (approximately 201 million US dollars), breaking the record for the highest private jewelry collection auction to date.
Heidi Horten was born in 1941 and began collecting modern art and high-end jewelry after marrying Helmut Horten, a German department store owner, at the age of 25. In 1987, she inherited a $1 billion inheritance from her husband, and in 2020, Forbes estimated her net worth to be $3 billion.
The first on-site auction held on May 10th presented a total of 96 lots, with a total transaction amount of 138 million Swiss francs (approximately 151 million US dollars). The highest selling price at the auction was a “Sunrise” ruby ring made by Cartier. The main stone was set with a 25.59ct pillow cut Burmese unburned pigeon blood ruby, and two shield cut diamonds were set on both sides of the main stone to highlight the rich color of the ruby. This ring only dropped for 13.06 million Swiss francs this time, significantly lower than the record of 28.25 million Swiss francs auctioned at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2015.
The second highest transaction price is a BVLGARI designed and made pink diamond ring, with a 6.99ct emerald cut pink diamond set on the main stone. It has been identified by GIA as a Type IIa diamond, achieving Fancy Sense Pink color and VVS1 clarity. The main stone is adorned with stepped cut diamonds on both sides, highlighting the romantic glow of pink diamonds. The transaction price is 9.15 million Swiss francs, which is twice the highest valuation of 4.5 million Swiss francs.
The notable item in antique jewelry is a “The Briolette of India” diamond necklace, set with a D-color IIa droplet shaped Briolette cut diamond weighing 90.36ct. This necklace once belonged to Eleanor of Aquitaine, the Duchess of Aquitaine of 11th century Europe, and was purchased by Heidi Horten in 1971 after being passed down for hundreds of years. The transaction price this time is 6.34 million Swiss francs, far lower than the pre auction valuation of 9 million to 14 million Swiss francs.
The highlights of this auction also include a Harry Winston pearl necklace, which is adorned with 3 rows of natural pearls. The highlight is a 11.15ct pillow shaped pink diamond with a buckle, with a transaction price of 6.46 million Swiss francs; The BVLGARI Jade Necklace is composed of 25 natural jade beads strung together, with a diameter of 15.90mm-2
Lot 96 Sunrise Ruby Ring, by Cartier
Transaction price: 13.055 million Swiss francs
The main stone is a 25.59ct pillow shaped cut ruby, which has been identified to be produced in Myanmar and reaches the “pigeon blood red” level. Set 2.70ct and 2.47ct shield cut diamonds on both sides. Made of platinum. This ring was sold for $30.42 million at Sotheby’s Geneva auction house in 2015.
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Post time: May-20-2023