Important fancy intense blue diamond brooch, Alexandre Reza

Set with a marquise-shaped fancy intense blue diamond weighing 6.64 carats, highlighted with two pear-shaped fancy intense blue diamonds weighing 2.01 and 1.01 carats, further accented with similarly shaped colourless diamonds, may be worn as a pendant, signed A. Reza, French assay and maker's marks.

Cf.: Arlette Seta, Alexandre Reza, Pierres de lumière, Paris, 1991, pg. 133 and back cover for illustrations of this pendant/brooch. 

Accompanied by GIA reports: no. 5171528570, stating that the marquise brilliant-cut diamond weighing 6.64 carats and measuring 19.89 x 9.91 x 5.67mm, is Fancy Intense Blue, Natural Colour, SI1 Clarity. no. 2171529599, stating that the pear brilliant-cut diamond weighing 2.01 carats and measuring 9.61 x 6.94 x 4.50mm, is Fancy Intense Blue, Natural Colour, VVS2 Clarity. no. 5172528581, stating that the pear brilliant-cut diamond weighing 1.01 carats and measuring 9.15 x 5.83 x 3.40mm, is Fancy Intense Blue, Natural Colour, VS2 Clarity. Also accompanied by ten GIA reports for the colourless diamonds: no. 5040727, stating that the pear-shaped diamond weighing 1.00 carat and measuring 10.52 x 5.65 x 2.84mm, is D Colour, VVS1 Clarity, together with a working diagram stating that the diamond might be internally flawless after minor repolishing, no. 5084936, stating that the pear-shaped diamond weighing 1.01 carats and measuring 10.27 x 5.27 x 3.16mm, is D Colour, VS2 Clarity, no. 5040726, stating that the pear-shaped diamond weighing 1.03 carats and measuring 9.49 x 5.02 x 3.36mm, is D Colour, Internally Flawless, no. 5061368, stating that the pear-shaped diamond weighing 1.05 carats and measuring 9.48 x 5.40 x 3.46mm, is D Colour, VS1 Clarity, no. 5019484, stating that the pear-shaped diamond weighing 1.06 carats and measuring 9.21 x 5.13 x 3.56mm, is D Colour, VVS1 Clarity, together with a working diagram stating that the diamond may be internally flawless after minor repolishing, no. 5040856, stating that the pear-shaped diamond weighing 1.08 carats and measuring 9.51 x 5.29 x 3.40mm, is D Colour, VVS1 Clarity, together with a working diagram stating that the diamond may be internally flawless after minor repolishing, no. 5030420, stating that the pear-shaped diamond weighing 1.11 carats and measuring 8.94 x 6.10 x 3.38mm, is D Colour, VVS2 Clarity, together with a working diagram stating that the diamond may be internally flawless after minor repolishing, no. 5061369, stating that the pear-shaped diamond weighing 1.14 carats and measuring 9.19 x 6.15 x 3.70mm, is D Colour, VVS1 Clarity, together with a working diagram stating that the diamond may be internally flawless after minor repolishing, no. 5049324, stating that the pear-shaped diamond weighing 1.14 carats and measuring 8.74 x 5.60 x 3.84mm, is D Colour, VVS1 Clarity, together with a working diagram stating that the diamond may be internally flawless after minor repolishing, no. 2176987899, stating that the pear-shaped diamond weighing 1.23 carats and measuring 9.25 x 6.19 x 3.38mm, is D Colour, Internally Flawless. Signed A. Reza. French maker's mark for Alexandre Reza. Inscribed B.B. 6.64 referring to the weight of the central Fancy Intense Blue diamond, and B. 10.73 referring to the total carat weight of the colourless diamonds; one diamond has been replaced; colourless diamonds weighing a total of 10.85 carats. French assay mark and stamped OR 750 for 18 carat gold. For further details on the diamonds, please refer to the GIA reports. Signs of normal wear to the metal consistent with use. In very good condition. Gross weigh approximately 13 grams.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones and to the Notice regarding import of Burmese jadeite and rubies into the US.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The beautiful brooch offered in this sale was originally a pendant suspended from a necklace set with D-colour, Internally Flawless marquise-shaped diamonds, created by Alexandre Reza.

 

Alexandre Reza

 

During his career, Alexandre Reza (1922-2016), the celebrated Paris-based jeweller, assembled one of the largest, most diverse and precious collections of gems in the world.

He travelled widely to carefully select each stone individually, and then transformed them with his vision and the skill of his virtuoso craftsmanship into delicate works of art that are the exquisite suites of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings for which Alexandre Reza is justly renowned.

He first supplied gems to, and manufactured for, some of the greatest jewellers of the 1960s and 1970s, including Cartier, Chaumet, Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron, Gérard, Harry Winston and Bulgari. He then decided to create his own brand and established his retail operations on the Place Vendôme in Paris, as well as in Geneva and in the South of France.

The jeweller’s art begins with an understanding that jewels are the most personal of decoration and are meant to be worn to reflect and enhance a woman’s beauty. Reza was inspired in his designs both by historical jewels of royal provenance as well as by a modern classicism of his own creation. Movement, lightness of composition and harmony are the key words of his designs.

Each of Alexandre Reza’s creations is imbued with his special understanding of and appreciation for both the physical beauty and the metaphysical properties of the precious gems with which it is set. He brought together the most appealing gems with outstanding properties and qualities. The pendant brooch offered in this sale is a fine example of the careful selection of gems for which Alexandre Reza is reputed. He assembled three fancy intense blue diamonds with D colour pear-shaped diamonds within a delicate and radiant design. Another example of Reza's precise selection of gems is the fancy vivid blue diamond ring sold at Sotheby’s Geneva in May 2010 for a record price of more than CHF 7 million (USD 6.3 million).

The brand continues today, based at 21 Place Vendôme in Paris, under the leadership of Alexandre's son, Olivier; while respecting the passion and dedication to perfection which have always been the hallmark of the company, Olivier's unique vision has brought a new exciting aesthetic to Reza's creations.