Geneva (AFP)

Jewels adorned with 38 sumptuous sapphires once worn by Napoleon's adopted daughter and the largest sapphire in Kashmir, which belonged to the heiress of the Guinness breweries, will compete in brilliance at the traditional May auction in Geneva.

The program of these sales organized on May 11 and 12 by the two great houses Sotheby's and Christie's include several historical jewels.

On the occasion of the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Napoleon's death, Christie's will disperse nine imperial jewels adorned with sapphires and diamonds, from the collection of his adopted daughter, Stéphanie de Beauharnais.

The nine pieces, including a tiara (estimated between 140,000 and 250,000 CHF, 154,000 and 275,000 USD, 128,000 and 228,000 euros), a necklace (estimated between 180,000 and 320,000 CHF) and a pair of earrings (estimated between 30,000 and 45,000 CHF), "have remained in the same family since they were offered to Stéphanie de Beauharnais, on the occasion of her wedding at the Tuileries Palace," Marie-Cécile Cisamolo, jewelry specialist at Christie's.

If we hardly see any more tiaras in the beautiful salons of European high society, there is no doubt that it will find a buyer according to the expert: "At the moment, we see a lot of Asians who like to wear these important jewels. , for important events in their life ".

No less than 38 sapphires originating in Sri Lanka were used to create this set in the early 1800s.

Besides their historical value, these jewels of great finesse also have an intrinsic value because of their natural blue, whereas sapphires usually undergo a heat treatment to accentuate the color.

This historical collection also includes an important sapphire crown of Mary II, Queen of Portugal (mid-19th century), set in the center with a remarkable Burmese sapphire (estimated CHF 170,000-350,000).

- Royal tiara on Instagram -

Another highlight of the sales, offered by Sotheby's, is the largest Kashmir sapphire ever to be auctioned (estimated 2-3 million USD).

This 55.19 carat unheated stone is a very beautiful velvety blue, like all sapphires from this region.

Following their discovery in the early 1880s, the exploitation of Kashmir sapphires lasted only five years, between 1882 and 1887, making these precious stones some of the most coveted on the market, according to the auction house. .

The oval-shaped stone is set in a 1930s brooch alongside another 25.97 carat Kashmiri sapphire.

The brooch comes from the collection of Maureen Constance Guinness (1907-1998), a leading figure in British high society and heir to the Irish brewing family.

Among the other historical pieces put on sale next week, Sotheby's offers a royal diadem, kept for more than 150 years in the House of Savoy.

This jewel made up of eleven natural pearls and diamonds, dating from the second half of the 19th century and estimated between 1 and 1.5 million dollars, appears for the first time on the market.

The jewel is also a masterpiece of ingenuity, because the tiara can be separated into two parts, allowing it to be worn as a necklace, explained to AFP Benoit Repellin, director of the sale of High Jewelry at Sotheby's at Geneva.

This royal tiara is appearing on the market against a backdrop of "unprecedented global demand" for this type of jewelry, especially of royal origin, according to the auction house.

This interest is particularly heightened in Asia where collectors, often young, have bought a third of the tiaras presented by Sotheby's in the last five years.

Anxious to attract a new generation of buyers, she has specially created for this sale an Instagram filter that allows everyone to photograph themselves wearing a tiara in a setting of a sumptuous Italian palace.

In the large stones category, Christie's offers a rectangular white diamond of 100.94 carats (estimated 12-18 million USD), called "Le Spectacle", cut from a rough diamond of 207.29 carats discovered in 2016 in Yakutia (Siberia). oriental) by the Russian group Alrosa.

There is also cheaper.

Such as this pendant set with a 104.40 carat pear emerald, mounted by Harry Winston, offered by Sotheby's (estimated 1-1.5 million USD).

It is a "really exceptional weight for emeralds which is a more fragile stone", explained Mr. Repellin.

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