Luxurious jewellery pieces from opulent private collections as well as top design houses are the stars of two international auctions.

Headlining Sotheby's High Jewellery auction in New York are one-of-a-kind pieces from the estate of Emily Vanderbilt Wade, daughter of former governor of Rhode Island William Henry Vanderbilt III, and great-granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt. 

A standout piece is a Marcus & Co necklace, circa 1915, with a drop-shaped pendant nestling a cushion-cut 9.60-carat unheated Burmese ruby. The centre gem is surrounded by old European-cut diamonds, which in turn, are framed and topped by calibré-cut rubies.

The piece, which has a pre-sale estimate of US$1 million to US$2 million, “quietly underscores the refined craftsmanship and gem selection that defined the house’s prestige,” noted Sotheby’s.

The New York sale, scheduled for June 13, is also shining the spotlight on a notable private collection, aptly titled Joie de Vivrea: Journey in Jewels, as each one was a gift from a devoted husband to his wife over the course of their more than 60-year marriage. 

Highlights include a 35-carat D-colour emerald-cut diamond ring by Graff, which is expected to fetch US$2 million to US$3 million and a pair of diamond and emerald ear clips by Graff featuring four juicy sugarloaf cabochon emeralds weighing a total of approximately 84 carats. The piece could sell for US$1.5 million to US$2.5 million, according to Sotheby’s.

Meanwhile, natural pearls are headlining Christie’s “Joaillerie Paris” online sale from June 19 to 27. It features nearly 250 lots from esteemed houses including Fabergé, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron and JAR, to name a few.

The sale’s star lot is a three-row necklace composed of 191 natural fine pearls by Chaumet, which is valued between €400,000 (around US$460,000) and €600,000 (approximately US$690,000). The piece is described as “exceptional” in its accompanying certificate, highlighting the regularity and quality of the pearls.

Another exquisite pearl piece is a bouquet-like necklace made of cultured pearls, rubies and diamonds by celebrated jeweller René Boivin, which has a pre-auction estimate of €50,000 (roughly US$57,000) to €80,000 (approximately US$90,000).

Other exceptional René Boivin pieces on offer are the iconic “Starfish” piece with emeralds and aquamarines, which could sell for €120,000 (around US$138,000) to €180,000 (about US$207,000) while its trembling “Butterfly” brooch adorned with fancy sapphires and diamonds could draw €50,000 (roughly US$57,000) to €70,000 (around US$80,000).