Gemstones of all colors made an impressive showing at fall auctions. Two Art Deco bracelets, one Cartier famed Tutti frutti style and one Egyptian revival style, are included in the colorful snapshot below. Take some time to browse the variety of jewelry featuring rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, and let this gem parade brighten your day by sparking your gemstone jewelry imagination.
Tutti frutti Bracelet, Cartier
Cartier pushed the boundaries of jewelry design and color with the Tutti frutti style during the Art Deco period. This bracelet, circa 1928, has a unique texture and form. Set with several different color gemstones it creates a web of colors that is both eye-catching and distinctive. Carved emeralds and rubies and onyx beads provide the color in this bracelet which also features approximately 6.25 carats of old European and single-cut diamonds. The Tutti frutti bracelet well exceeded its pre-auction estimates, selling for $2.165 million.
Tutti frutti bracelet, by Cartier. Courtesy of Sotheby’s.
Are you a fan of Art Deco? Check out The Genius of Convertible Jewelry in the Art Deco Era for further insight into the jewelry of that era.
Egyptian-Revival Platinum, Diamond, and Colored Stone Bracelet, La Cloche Frères
Ancient Egyptian culture and artistic endeavors have interested and influenced Western society for thousands of years. When King Tutankhamen’s tomb was discovered in 1922, there was renewed interest in Egyptian design motifs. It likely influenced the creation of Egyptian-revival jewelry, like this bracelet by La Cloche Frères, Paris, circa 1925. Calibré-cut sapphires, emeralds and rubies, and old European and single-cut diamonds mounted in platinum, portray a sphinx next to the Egyptian god Horus. The piece sold for just over $1 million, doubling pre-auction estimates.
Egyptian-Revival Platinum, Diamond, and Colored Stone Bracelet. Courtesy of Sotheby’s.
See another example of gemstone jewelry with Egyptian influence in Jeweled Winged Wonders.
Sapphire and Diamond Necklace featuring the Blue Belle of Asia
This spectacular sapphire and diamond necklace features the famed Blue Belle of Asia, a 392.52 carat cushion-shaped sapphire. Discovered in Sri Lanka in 1926, a sapphire of this quality is extremely rare for its size, color, and clarity. Mounted in the center of a neckchain of round brilliant cut diamonds, the large attractive blue stone has a “tassel” of round and oval brilliant cut diamonds.
Sapphire and Diamond Necklace featuring the 392.52 carat cushion-shaped Blue Belle of Asia sapphire. Christie’s Images Limited.
The Blue Belle of Asia sapphire and diamond necklace sold for $17.5 million at Christie’s Geneva. Are you interested in purchasing a sapphire of your own? Get all the information you need in our Sapphire Buying Guide.
Still in awe of these gemstones and looking for more to gaze? Perhaps you will want to take a glance at famous pieces worn by your favorite stars in Emmy Gemstones: A Color Story.
