A Belle Epoque brooch by Cartier that fetched more than $1 million at Christie’s on Wednesday night.
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GOING ONCE: Christie’s New York jewelry sales held on Wednesday brought in more than $46.5 million. The total includes the $7.7 million sale of the 33.02-carat Annenberg Diamond. One of the sales, “Rare Jewels and Objets d’Art: A Superb Collection,” from the Ralph Esmerian and Fred Leighton collections, brought in more than $18.7 million — less than the $20 million to $25 million it was hoped to draw in, according to inside sources. Rahul Kadakia, head of jewelry at Christie’s in New York, was astonished at the success of the sales. “For three-and-a-half hours, between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 at Christie’s, it was as if the recession never happened,” said Kadakia. “Virtually every lot exceeded its estimate and the $7.7 million Annenberg Diamond astonished even the most seasoned diamond dealer. It was an auction to remember.”






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