The collection, belonging to the late Heidi Horten, points to a record-breaking charity auction.
Austrian billionaire, art collector, and philanthropist Heidi Horten has collected over 700 pieces of jewelry over the course of her life.
READ ALSO: Magnificent Jewels: The Largest Ruby To Ever Come To Auction Could Fetch Over $30 Million
Upon her passing, she wished to donate all sales from her estate to The Heidi Horten Collection as well as medical research and other philanthropic activities.
Christie’s will be handling her private jewelry collection in a three-part auction in May. Two parts of the auction will take place in Geneva while the third will be held online.
The sale is expected to reach around $150 million. The collection includes a white gold and diamond Cartier ring set with the Sunrise Ruby. Horten purchased the piece for $30.4 million eight years ago.
Also up for sale is the Briolette of India. The necklace features a D color briolette-cut diamond of 90.36 carats.
Horten acquired the Briolette in 1971 and it has been in her collection since then. This is the first time the diamond will be offered for sale at auction.
Described as “the collection of a lifetime” by Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s international head of jewelry, Horten’s valuable pieces are a collector’s dream.
The collection is currently on tour in New York, Singapore, Taipei, London, and other cities ahead of the live auction.
The first sale, The World of Heidi Horten: Magnificent Jewels Part I, will take place on May 10. Part II will follow on May 12, while the online auction will be open from May 3 to 15.
Banner image via Instagram @christiesjewels.
