RAPAPORT...  Christie's Jewels: The London Sale was 84 percent sold by lot and garnered a total of $6.1 million (GBP 3.7 million). The top lot was a 44.14-carat circular-cut, fancy yellow, SI1 diamond set in an art deco mount, which fetched $865,324, or $19,600 per carat. A 10.09-carat, cushion-shaped, F, VS2 diamond sold to an Asian private for $414,064, and a 4.99-carat brilliant-cut, F,VS2 diamond sold to a member of the U.S. trade for $135,460.

Keith Penton, Christie’s head of London Jewels, said, “The appetite for fine quality period jewelry with provenance was reflected in the 10 June sale. The Barberini sapphire and diamond jewels sold for $248,600 (GPB 152,000).... A stunning antique brooch set with six historic diamond drops from the reign of Louis XV, fetched $374,415 (GBP 229,000). Important diamonds continue to generate fierce demand."



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