The three-part World of Heidi Horten at Christie’s in Geneva has broken the world record for the most expensive jewelry collection to feature at auction.
Part one took place live on 8 May and featured 96 items, returning $US155.6 million ($AU234.5 million).
Two days later the second portion returned $US42.4 million ($AU63.9 million). The affair concluded online on 15 May, garnering a further $US4.2 million ($AU6.3 million).
In total, 98 percent of the items were sold for a return of $US202.2 million ($AU304.7 million).
“Horten was introduced to the allure of beautiful objects from a young age as her father was an engraver. Her love for jewelry and art deepened after her marriage, according to the auction house,” writes Oscar Holland of CNN,
“She went on to possess an array of decorative, modern and contemporary artworks, some of which are housed in her museum.”
The World of Heidi Horten demolished a record set by the auction of Elizabeth Taylor’s possessions in 2011 which generated more than $US115 million ($AU173.3 million) in New York.
Of note was the sale of a Bulgari ring set with an emerald-cut, 6.9-carat, fancy intense pink, diamond for $US10.2 million ($AU15.3 million), more than double the upper presale estimate.
The Star of Africa, a necklace by Harry Winston headlined by a pear-shaped, 54.9-carat ruby garnered $US3 million ($AU4.5 million).
The Sunrise Ruby, a ring containing a 25.5-carat ruby and diamonds by Cartier, fetched $US14.6 million ($AU22 million), missing the lower estimate.
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