571 Fancy Colored Diamonds and a Snake That Tells Time: Inside Morphy’s September Sale

By Annie Davidson Watson | September 02, 2026

Morphy Auctions is hosting a 357-lot Fine Jewelry & Watches sale on Sept. 24 at its Denver, Pa., gallery, with three lots carrying estimates above six figures and a lineup that ranges from a rare 1959 Rolex to a Bulgari bracelet with a hidden watch inside the snake’s mouth.

oscar heyman necklace — *Oscar Heyman necklace in 18k yellow gold and platinum with diamonds, estimate $150,000–$250,000*

The top estimate belongs to two lots tied at $150,000–$250,000. The first is an Oscar Heyman fancy colored diamond necklace in 18k yellow gold and platinum, comprising 95 cut-corner square diamonds (13.47 cts. t.w.), 21 princess-cut diamonds (2.6 cts. t.w.), 36 square diamonds (2.93 cts. t.w.), and 571 assorted fancy colored diamonds, offered with the original Oscar Heyman presentation box and invoice. The second is a Bulgari Serpenti Jaeger-LeCoultre three-coil diamond and ruby bangle (pictured at top) in 18k yellow and white gold, set with 341 colorless diamonds totaling an estimated 10 cts. and two round cabochon ruby eyes. The snake’s head hinges open at the mouth to reveal a concealed watch.

The watch category is anchored by a 1959 Rolex GMT-Master Reference 6542, estimated at $120,000–$180,000. The stainless steel case is unpolished with moderate age-appropriate wear, the inner caseback dated IV.1958, and the original red and blue Bakelite bezel insert intact with a warm glossy surface. The tropical black gilt dial and roulette date wheel add further appeal. Bakelite-bezel GMT-Masters are among the most sought-after vintage Rolex references, and unpolished examples with original components in this condition are scarce.

Additional highlights include a platinum emerald and diamond flower necklace with seven pear-shape emeralds (15 cts. t.w.) and 559 round brilliant-cut diamonds (30 cts. t.w.), estimated at $70,000–$100,000; a platinum graduated diamond statement necklace (57.58 cts. t.w.) with a GIA appraisal reporting an estimated retail replacement value of $372,580, estimated at $60,000–$90,000; a 7.87 ct. natural light brown diamond solitaire in 14k white gold, estimated at $50,000–$80,000; and a current-production Rolex Day-Date Reference 228238 in 18k yellow gold with factory diamond-pavé dial, estimated at $50,000–$75,000.

Preview by appointment starts one week prior to the sale, and auction day preview is from 8 to 9 a.m. All remote bidding formats are available online.

(Photos courtesy of Morphy Auctions)

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