The bidding order is led by a JAR colored-diamond ring estimated at $2.5 million to $3.5 million. The next strongest gemstone lots are JAR diamond, sapphire and floral gemstone jewels estimated up to $650,000.
JAR is the jewelry maker behind several top lots in this single-owner sale. Sotheby's will offer 70 jewels as Pauline Karpidas: The Jewelry Collection in New York on 8 December 2026. As Sotheby's official series page notes, the evening sale carries a total estimate of about $10 million.
Table of Contents
- What makes the lead JAR ring stand out?
- Which sapphire and diamond lots rank next?
- Where do Cartier and Belperron fit?
- What should buyers do before the sale?
What makes the lead JAR ring stand out?
The lead lot centers a colored diamond with diamond and chalcedony. Rapaport reports that Sotheby's describes the colored diamond as appearing trapped in ice, and the estimate places it far above the rest of the sale. Public viewing adds practical context for buyers. The ring was scheduled for public exhibition from 2 December ahead of the 8 December sale.
That window matters for inspection of color, setting and condition. The price gap shapes strategy. At $2.5 million to $3.5 million, the lead ring alone may represent about one-quarter to one-third of the sale total. Smaller collectors may therefore focus on lower-ranked gemstone lots rather than the headline jewel.
Which sapphire and diamond lots rank next?
The second tier is also dominated by JAR. According to the Rapaport presale report, a 1990 diamond and basalt ring is estimated up to $650,000. A JAR sapphire and platinum ring follows at $300,000 to $500,000.
A JAR floral gemstone pendant is next at $250,000 to $350,000. These three lots define the middle of the gemstone market in the sale. A JAR sapphire and diamond padlock pendant necklace also carries a $200,000 to $300,000 estimate. Buyers seeking sapphires can therefore compare platinum-ring, pendant and padlock-necklace formats across overlapping price bands.
Where do Cartier and Belperron fit?
A circa-1925 Cartier diamond, emerald and onyx bracelet carries a $200,000 to $300,000 estimate. It matches the JAR padlock necklace on price while offering Art Deco period design and a different gemstone mix. A Suzanne Belperron aquamarine and diamond necklace-brooch combination is estimated at $150,000 to $250,000.
Luxe Digital places it below the leading JAR sapphire and diamond lots, which helps bidders calibrate convertible jewels against high-value colored stones. Provenance broadens the choice beyond gemstone size. Luxe Digital reports Cartier ruby earrings and a matching ring bought at the 1987 Duchess of Windsor auction. The same coverage links Seaman Schepps rock-crystal and Verdura amethyst jewels to the Andy Warhol estate.
What should buyers do before the sale?
Treat the ranking as provisional. These positions reflect presale high estimates, not completed bids. Final prices will be known only after the 8 December sale, as Luxe Digital's presale coverage explains. Buyers can use estimates to set limits, request condition reports and compare similar stones.
Sapphire bidders can weigh platinum versus pendant settings. Period-jewelry buyers can weigh Cartier and Belperron craftsmanship against JAR gemstone weight. Check the published lot order, fees and payment terms before bidding. Track results after 8 December to see whether diamonds, sapphires or signed provenance pieces achieved the strongest premiums.