26ct. Diamond Ring to Hit Auction Block for $500K
A 25.80-carat diamond ring will take center stage at an upcoming sale at John Moran Auctioneers, where it is estimated to fetch up to $500,000.
The piece is one of 85 items from the estate of philanthropist Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree that the California-based auction house will present on March 29, it said Tuesday. Other lots from the collection include large diamonds and gemstones from popular designers such as Van Cleef & Arpels, David Webb, Tiffany & Co., Henry Dunay, and Boucheron.
Along with her philanthropy, Ridley-Tree was also a successful businesswoman and art connoisseur. Over the course of her career, she was the president of Pacific Air Industries and of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
Here are the top five pieces in the auction:
This pear-shaped, 25.80-carat, G-color, SI2-clarity diamond ring is the star of the sale. The piece, which is flanked by two pear-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 1.25 carats, is estimated at $400,000 to $500,000.
A pair of round brilliant-cut diamond earrings with one 10.07-carat, H-color, VS2-clarity stone and a 10.22-carat, I-color, SI1-clarity diamond carries a presale price tag of $200,000 to $300,000.
John Moran will sell this Van Cleef & Arpels diamond and gold bracelet for up to $20,000. The piece contains 69 round full-cut diamonds weighing approximately 7.50 carats. The stones range from F to G color and are VS clarity.
An Indian ruby, diamond and enamel necklace is expected to fetch up to $18,000 at the sale. It features 20 tumbled bezel-set rubies and 230 tablet-cut diamonds and has a multicolored enamel floral motif on the reverse side of the necklace.
This set by Van Cleef & Arpels contains a necklace with an oval cabochon-cut sapphire flanked by 12 baguette-cut and 52 round full-cut diamonds weighing approximately 4.30 carats in total. The ear clips each have a cabochon-cut sapphire surrounded by approximately 3.75 carats of diamonds. The group carries a high estimate of $15,000.
Main image: The 25.80-carat diamond ring and the pair of earrings. (John Moran)
