Been Playing at Sotheby's Again

[JewelFreak]

Important Jewels Auction Sept. 20. Moaning & groaning over the loot.

Question: In their notations on treatment of emeralds they are doing something I haven't seen before. A few listings say, for example, "Clarity enhancement: insignificant. Type: Modern." Or "Type: Traditional." Sometimes more detail given, often not. By "traditional," do we assume they mean heat? And "modern," glass-filled or other newer methods? I haven't seen this terminology -- anybody else?

Okay, these are only a few of the pieces I drooled over.


Fancy Light Pink diamond brilliant, 5.08 ct., GIA report Natural Color, VVS2, $500K to $700K. 3 views:





From Sotheby's blurb:



Thai Ruby, 5.10 ct., "clarity enhancement: insignificant to faint; type: heat residues." $20K to $30K:

 

[JewelFreak]

Colombian emerald, 13.51 ct., diamonds 7.8 ct., emerald "clarity enhacement: faint; type: modern." $20K to $30K.



Powder compact, silver, silver-gilt, blue & pink sapphires, emeralds. $1000 to $1500. I'm there!!



Van Cleef & Arpels, 18K gold, carved emerald (33.4 x 32.9 x 19.6), diamonds. $10K to $15K.



I put this up because it's the cutest thing I ever saw, though not great art. Mauboussin, "Jeep de la Liberation," 18K, platinum, diamond, rubies, sapphire, windshield is mother of pearl. Made in 1945 to celebrate the liberation of France from Nazi occupation. On the 40th anniversary thereof, Mauboussin made a replica for Nancy Reagan when she & President went to the commemoration of D-Day.

 

[JewelFreak]

Two-color 18K gold, 9.00 ct cab rubies, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds. French assay marks. $5K to $7K. Fine workmanship. Shows much better on Sotheby's site.



Youssoufian, 18K w/g, multi-colored sapphires & garnets, diamonds. $18K to $22K.



Fancy deep brown-orange brilliant, 3.05 ct., SI1, $30K to $50K

 

[chrono]

I don't think emeralds can take much heat so that is out. Traditional enhancement usually refers to oiling. Modern treatment is likely referring to the use of newer resin fillings such as ExCel although it would be best to know because some resins are far better than others.

 

[JewelFreak]

I don't think emeralds can take much heat so that is out. Traditional enhancement usually refers to oiling. Modern treatment is likely referring to the use of newer resin fillings such as ExCel although it would be best to know because some resins are far better than others.

That's why I wondered, Chrono. They don't give any info on fillings, etc., when they say "treatment: modern," and when it's set up for you to bid online, seems to me they should at least provide that. Or a look at the lab memo; I assume they have one. I was thinking of sapphires regarding heat -- right, oil on the emeralds. Do bidders call & ask questions before putting in a bid? Maybe that's what they expect. It seems kind of slapdash & shabby to me.

--- Laurie

 

[T L]

The diamond looks like a fancy orange-ish brown with brown as the primary hue. I hope it has a GIA report because the estimate on it is is ridiculous if brown is the primary color.

The emeralds seems a good buy (estimate) IF there is a lab report indicating faint treatment, and that truly is the color of the stone.