A prime selection of Huguette Clark's baubles hit the auction block last night at Christie's, exceeding expectations on almost every lot. The reclusive copper heiress who died last May at age 104 had not worn—or even laid eyes upon—the jewels in over 70 years. They've been stored in a bank vault since the 1940s. Much to the delight of auctioneer Rahul Kadakia, those with a little extra pocket money snapped up seventeen dazzling items at prices well over initial estimates for a total sale of $21 million.
The highlight of the evening was a nine-carat cushion-cut pink diamond set in a ring. "Four million dollars," began Kadakia. Hearing a bid, he added, "Seven point five million dollars? All right, why waste time?" The hammer dropped at almost double the pre-auction estimate for a whopping $14 million sale (plus the $1.7 million commission).
Huguette Clark left most of her estate—valued at over $400 million—to charity, save for $34 million to her nurse, cutting her family out of her will entirely. It took less than a month for one of her three palatial apartments at 907 Fifth Avenue which was listed at $24 million to sell for an undisclosed price. The two others are still waiting for the perfect buyer at $19 million and $12 million a piece.
