Historic Jewels, Iconic Design Headline Christie’s Sale

By Annie Davidson Watson | June 16, 2025

From June 19 to 27, Christie’s will hold its highly anticipated Joaillerie Paris online sale, featuring nearly 250 lots with a combined estimate of $8.3 million to $13 million (€7.2 million to €11.3 million).

This exceptional auction celebrates the best in classic and contemporary jewelry, drawing on the legacies of such design houses as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron, Fabergé, and René Boivin.

The star of the sale, valued between €400,000 and €600,000, is a Chaumet three-strand pearl necklace with diamond clasp. The necklace holds 191 natural pearls “of partly remarkable size (diameter up to 10.45 mm approximately) which are strung on three regularly graduated strands…to exhibit a beautiful round to roundish and oval shape combined with a very fine pearl lustre,” according to an accompanying letter from SSEF, the Swiss Gemmological Institute.

Fabergé object — *Fabergé enamel violets with 18k gold stems and nephrite leaves in rock crystal vase, circa 1899, estimate $230,000–$345,000 (€200,000–€300,000)*

Standout historical items offered by Christie’s include Fabergé’s objet de vertu of violets; a circa 1820s/1830s diamond and pearl brooch that belonged to members of the Hapsburg and Austrian royal families (pictured at top, with a book detailing the jewel’s provenance); and an 1810 neoclassical parure, composed of a necklace, two bracelets, and a pair of earrings with seed pearls and malachite cameos that depict putti and ancient Romans.

Boivin brooch — *René Boivin starfish brooch with oval emerald cabochons and round aquamarines in 18k yellow gold, estimate $230,000–$345,000 (€120,000–€180,000)*

Around 10 vintage pieces of jewelry by René Boivin will be in the auction, among them his famed starfish brooch, from 1991, and a vibrant butterfly brooch dating to 1984 and boasting more than 50 cts. colored sapphires and over 4 cts. diamonds (estimate of €50,000 to €70,000, or $57,000 to $92,000).

For the first time, Christie’s Joaillerie Paris sale will have a dedicated section for women’s watches, showcasing such timepieces as Cartier’s art deco Tortue, with onyx and diamonds, and Patek Philippe’s distinctive Nautilus model.

Top: Brooch in 18k white and yellow gold with drop-shape natural pearls and 10–12 cts. t.w. old- and rose-cut diamonds, plus period book in gold and mother-of-pearl, estimate $69,000–$92,000 (€60,000–€80,000)

(Photos courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2025)

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