Geneva, 11 May 2026 - The Geneva Jewels Auction: VI at Phillips realized CHF 5,469,471 (US$7,030,458 / €5,970,475), with 85 of the 99 lots offered finding buyers for a sell-through rate of 86 percent by lot and 85 percent by value. Signed jewels carried the sale, selling 93 percent through, while the historic jewels and objects of The Vanderbilt Family achieved a 100 percent sold result. The auction was led by a rare and iconic Van Cleef & Arpels Zip necklace.
Benoît Repellin, Phillips' Worldwide Head of Jewellery, called the result "a testament to the global appeal of signed jewels and pieces of distinguished provenance among our international collectors." He singled out the inaugural Collections & Provenance section, presented for the first time as part of The Geneva Jewels Auction: VI during the house's 230th anniversary year, which was 97 percent sold, with 70 percent of sold lots achieving prices above their high estimates. "We were honoured once again by the trust placed in us by members of The Vanderbilt Family, whose historic jewels and objects achieved a 100 percent sold result," he added, "following the white-glove success of the Vanderbilt jewels offered in November last year."
Repellin noted that signed jewels "continued to demonstrate remarkable strength throughout the auction, with 93 percent sold and 80 percent of sold lots exceeding their high estimates." He also pointed to the performance of rubies across the sale, most notably the Chaumet ruby and diamond pendent necklace, which realized more than ten times its low estimate. Phillips welcomed over 3,000 visitors during the preview and sale.
The leading lots
The Van Cleef & Arpels Zip necklace and bracelet combination in coral, chrysoprase and diamond (2012) provided the sale's defining moment, selling for CHF 619,200 against an estimate of CHF 260,000 to CHF 480,000. It was on this lot, number 399, that Benoît Repellin brought down the hammer at a price achieved of US$795,920. The Chaumet ruby and diamond pendent necklace (circa 1902) followed at CHF 451,500, comfortably surpassing its CHF 32,000 to CHF 48,000 estimate to realize more than ten times its low figure, and a 14.69 carat Colombian emerald ring brought CHF 245,100.
Rubies and signed jewels
Coloured stones featured strongly among the top results. A ruby and diamond necklace sold for CHF 219,300, while a pair of ruby and diamond earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels achieved CHF 206,400. A Fancy Intense 2.01 carat Orangy Pink diamond and 0.91 carat diamond ring realized CHF 180,600, and a pair of Ceylon sapphire and diamond earrings, weighing 12.31 and 12.69 carats respectively, brought CHF 154,800. That figure was matched by a pair of pink sapphire and diamond ear clips by M. Gérard, weighing 4.08 carats and 5.05 carats respectively. A 3.54 carat Burmese ruby and diamond ring by Chaumet (1904) sold for CHF 141,900, and a coloured sapphire, rock crystal and diamond demi-parure by Bulgari closed the top ten at CHF 122,550.
Top ten lots
| Lot | Description | Estimate | Price achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 399 | Van Cleef & Arpels, coral, chrysoprase and diamond necklace and bracelet combination, Zip, 2012 | CHF 260,000 to CHF 480,000 | CHF 619,200 |
| 320 | Chaumet, ruby and diamond pendent necklace, circa 1902 | CHF 32,000 to CHF 48,000 | CHF 451,500 |
| 395 | A 14.69 carat Colombian emerald ring | CHF 220,000 to CHF 275,000 | CHF 245,100 |
| 388 | Ruby and diamond necklace | CHF 240,000 to CHF 400,000 | CHF 219,300 |
| 391 | Van Cleef & Arpels, pair of ruby and diamond earrings | CHF 70,000 to CHF 95,000 | CHF 206,400 |
| 358 | Fancy Intense 2.01 carat Orangy Pink diamond and 0.91 carat diamond ring | CHF 175,000 to CHF 250,000 | CHF 180,600 |
| 390 | Pair of Ceylon sapphire and diamond earrings, weighing 12.31 and 12.69 carats respectively | CHF 175,000 to CHF 190,000 | CHF 154,800 |
| 352 | M. Gérard, pair of pink sapphire and diamond ear clips, weighing 4.08 carats and 5.05 carats respectively | CHF 90,000 to CHF 120,000 | CHF 154,800 |
| 374 | Chaumet, a 3.54 carat Burmese ruby and diamond ring, 1904 | CHF 95,000 to CHF 140,000 | CHF 141,900 |
| 384 | Bulgari, coloured sapphire, rock crystal and diamond demi-parure | CHF 95,000 to CHF 140,000 | CHF 122,550 |
The sale unfolded during Phillips' 230th anniversary year. The house looks ahead to its next live jewels sale in New York, taking place on 10 June.
Estimates do not include the buyer's premium; prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer's premium. Exchange rate on 11 May 2026: CHF1 = US$1.2854 / €1.0916 / £0.9445 / HK$10.0635.
(Press Release)
