Whiteflash-Diamond Playground

From IDEX - Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction, to take place on November 14 in Geneva, will offer a brilliant-cut diamond, weighing 84.37 carats, which estimators have valued at 15-20 million CHF ($13-$17.33 million). The accompanying GIA report lists the stone as being D/ flawless, with excellent cut, polish and symmetry. Also being offered is a ring mounted with a rare fancy, vivid blue pear-shaped VS1 diamond weighing 4.16 carats. The gem is framed by brilliant-cut pink-tinted diamonds and a hoop pave-set with similar brilliant-cut stones, mounted in platinum and yellow gold. The ring has an estimate of 3.85-5.0 million CHF ($3.34-$4.33 million). In related news, Sotheby’s recently announced the sale of a private collection of jewelry, proceeds of which will benefit the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The anonymous collector, whose pieces will be auctioned on December 4 in Amsterdam, has set up a special fund that will focus on the protection and preservation of the Asian elephant and the giant panda. The lots include a number of signed pieces from houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Buccellati and Grima, with an obvious theme of animal movement and design inspiration. Sotheby’s Amsterdam and the WWF previously collaborated on an auction in October 2005, when the elephant collection of the late Prince Bernard of the Netherlands raised €300,000 ($435,600) for the WWF.