Lot 214. A magnificent emerald and diamond necklace, by Cartier, circa 1937, once owned by Simón Itturi Patiño. Price Realised CHF 9,125,000 (USD 9,935,280). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2013.
Set with twelve octagonal and hexagonal-cut emeralds, weighing a total of approximately 108.74 carats, with twin old European-cut diamond spacers, weighing a total of approximately 59.36 carats, mounted in gold collets with heart-shaped galleries, 1937, modified at a later date to create the pair of earrings en suite (lot 214), 45.0 cm. By Cartier, no. E 6992 A
Accompanied by Premium Report no. 69531 dated 22 August 2013 from the SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute stating that the 12 emeralds are of Colombian origin, 8 with indications of minor oil, 4 with no indications of clartiy modification, and an Appendix Letter for an 'Exceptional Emerald Necklace' indicating that 'The described necklace is very impressive in its classic design and contains twelve natural emeralds alternating with colourless diamonds of remarkable size. The emeralds for this necklace have been carefully selected and exhibit an attractive and highly matching green colour combined with a fine purity.'
Literature: H. Nadelhoffer, Cartier : Jewelers Extraordinary, Harry N. Abrams Publishers, 1984, New York, p. 241 (illustrated in its original form, suspending the emerald cross of HRH Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain)
Lot 215. An important pair of emerald and diamond earrings, once owned by Simón Itturi Patiño. Price Realised CHF 1,109,000 (USD 1,207,477). Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2013.
Set with two octagonal-cut emeralds, weighing approximately 10.01 and 9.36 carats, to the old European-cut diamond surmount and trefoil top, mounted in gold collets with heart-shaped galleries, en suite with lot 215, 3.7 cm
Accompanied by report no. 69530 dated 22 August 2013 from the SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute stating that the emeralds are of Colombian origin, with indications of minor amount of oil
Note: This pair of earrings was created from the necklace (lot 214) in its original form, by taking two of the fourteen emeralds and eight diamonds.
Christie's. Magnificent Jewels, 12 November 2013, Geneva