Past Auction

Fine Jewelry- Beverly Hills

Mon, Nov 14, 2016 at 9am PST |

Beverly Hills / California

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Circa 1935 aquamarine necklace by Cartier London achieves $310,000

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Fine Jewelry Auction in Beverly Hills on November 14, 2016
Exhibition and Auction Held at The Paley Center for Media
Featuring Antique, Period and Contemporary Jewelry by Such Prestigious Makers as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, David Webb and Tiffany & Co.

Doyle's Fine Jewelry auction at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills on November 14, 2016 attracted hundreds of bidders vying for exquisite designs consigned from prominent private collections and estates. The range of offerings included stylish jewelry for garden lunches to glittering statement pieces perfect for the red carpet. With competitive bidding in the salesroom, on the telephones and on the Internet, the sale totaled a strong $2,314,750 with 80% sold by lot and 78% sold by value.

Aquamarine Necklace by Cartier London

Highlighting the auction was a rare circa 1935 aquamarine and diamond necklace by Cartier London consigned by an Old Beverly Hills Estate. Set with well-matched quality aquamarines totaling approx. 120.00 carats, the stunning necklace drew the attention of important collectors and trade from both sides of the Atlantic. This intense interest sent the price of the necklace soaring to $310,000, many times its estimate of $50,000-70,000.

Cartier’s London branch became well known in the 1930s for its aquamarine jewelry. The designs featured large stones that complemented the fashions of the period and were popular with the firm’s English and American clients. The aquamarines were sourced mostly from the renowned mines of Minas Gerais, Brazil, whose large, flawless stones were the finest in the world. Finding a sufficient quantity of perfectly matched stones was a continuing challenge, as contemporary correspondence from Cartier London attests. A 1936 letter from Cartier London to Cartier New York regarding an aquamarine necklace commissioned by an American client states, “We would mention that owing to the difficulty of obtaining quickly a supply of good color aquamarines, we are unable to fix a definite date for completion of the order, but we hope to deliver in America in 2 months of receipt of order.” It continues, “As a matter of fact, we have for our own stock, a number of partly completed necklaces, which we are unable to finish owing to a lack of the necessary aquamarines.”

The Estate of Marjorie D. Dye

Doyle was honored to auction jewelry from the Estate of Marjorie D. Dye (1928-2015). She was the eldest granddaughter of famed cereal heiress and philanthropist Marjorie Merriweather Post and the niece of Nedenia Marjorie Hutton, best known as actress Dina Merrill. Ms. Dye was born in New York – her parents were actor Thomas Wells Durant and Adelaide Brevoort Close, Marjorie Merriweather Post’s daughter from her marriage to investment banker Edward Bennett Close. As a teenager, Ms. Dye moved to California, and in 1956 she graduated from the University of Southern California, where she was an All-American swimmer specializing open-water competition. Known for her independent spirit, she lived her life abundantly and was passionate about equestrian sports, becoming a prominent figure in thoroughbred horse breeding and racing.

Highlights from the Estate of Marjorie D. Dye included a gold bangle of leaf and rope-twist design by David Webb set with an impressive peridot of approx. 105.00 carats and studded with glittering diamonds. The bangle more than doubled its estimate $15,000-20,000, selling exceptionally well at $56,250. A gift from Marjorie Merriweather Post to her granddaughter was a stylish Retro parure comprising a diamond and ruby bangle bracelet by Cartier with a coordinating brooch and pair of earclips that fetched a strong $50,000, far surpassing its estimate of $6,000-8,000.

All prices include the Buyer's Premium.

We Invite You to Auction!

Consignments are currently being accepted for future sales in Beverly Hills and New York. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation of your jewelry and fine watches. Our specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact:
Nan Summerfield and Emily Marchick in Beverly Hills at 310-276-6616 or DoyleLA@Doyle.com
Ann Lange in New York at 212-427-4141, ext 221 or jewelry@Doyle.com