Paraiba tourmalines will take center stage at Phillips’ New York Jewels auction on June 10, with five examples of the vivid blue-green gemstone ranking among the sale’s top 13 lots.
Leading the group—and the sale itself—is a 31.77-carat oval paraiba tourmaline from Mozambique mounted in a platinum and 18k yellow gold ring accented by rows of marquise-cut diamonds, circular-cut blue tourmalines and brilliant-cut diamonds. The piece carries an estimate of $550,000 to $650,000.
The third highest valued lot is a white gold pendant centered on a 5.86-carat pear-shaped Brazilian paraiba tourmaline surrounded by brilliant-cut diamonds. It is estimated at $200,000 to $300,000.
9.30-carat paraiba tourmaline and diamond ring with an estimate of $80,000-$120,000
Phillips
The ninth-ranked lot is a white gold ring set with a 9.30-carat pear-shaped paraiba tourmaline from Mozambique flanked by shield-shaped diamonds. It is estimated at $80,000 to $120,000.
Paraiba and diamond earrings with an estimate of $60,000-$80,000
Phillips
Immediately following is a pair of gold earrings featuring two oval paraiba tourmalines from Mozambique weighing approximately 14 carats in total, suspended from reverse-set heart-shaped diamonds weighing 1.07 and 1.02 carats. The earrings are estimated at $60,000 to $80,000.
Rounding out the group is the sale’s 13th-ranked lot, a platinum and 18k yellow gold ring by Tiffany & Co. centered on a 7.08-carat modified brilliant-cut paraiba tourmaline from Mozambique with trapezoid-cut diamond shoulders. It carries an estimate of $50,000 to $60,000.
Paraíba tourmaline was first discovered in 1989 in Brazil’s Paraíba state, from which it takes its name. The gemstone’s distinctive electric blue-to-green color is caused by the presence of copper. The original Brazilian deposits were largely depleted by the mid-1990s, though copper-bearing tourmalines with similar color and mineral composition were later discovered in Nigeria, Mozambique and Ethiopia, which often bear the name “paraiba” without the capitalization and without the accent. The rarest and most valuable examples remain those mined in Paraíba, which today are found primarily in museums and private collections.
The 113-lot auction also features important emeralds, fancy-colored diamonds, colorless diamonds and signed jewels from prestigious jewelry houses including Harry Winston, Cartier and David Webb.
“From electric-blue tourmalines to exceptional emeralds and diamonds, the sale brings together colorful jewels that combine provenance, craftsmanship and enduring appeal for today’s global collectors,” said Dianne Batista, head of jewels, New York, at Phillips.
The sale will also feature jewels from two notable collections.
14.71-carat fancy intense yellow diamond ring estimated at $150,000-$250,000
Phillips
The first is a 12-piece group from the collection of Irma Nicolas, daughter of Spanish-language media pioneer Raoul Cortez Sr. Nicolas and her husband, Emilio Nicolas, helped expand what became Univision into a national media company. Leading the collection is a 14.71-carat fancy intense yellow diamond ring estimated at $150,000 to $250,000.
Other highlights include an Adler diamond necklace, bracelet and pair of earrings, as well as signed jewels by Van Cleef & Arpels, David Webb and Verdura. Nicolas, a longtime San Antonio resident, died in 2020 at age 88.
“Ms. Nicolas’ collection reflects a lifetime of vision, elegance and entrepreneurial spirit, expressed through her refined eye for exceptional signed jewels and an exquisite fancy intense yellow diamond ring,” Batista said.
The second collection comes from Argentina “Tina” Schifano Hills (1921–2025), a publisher, arts patron and advocate for press freedom in Latin America whose influence extended from Puerto Rico to Miami. Born in Italy, Hills immigrated to New York as a teenager and later married publisher Angel Ramos. She built a distinguished media career that included serving as the first female president of the Inter American Press Association. She and her second husband, Pulitzer Prize-winning editor Lee Hills, became prominent figures in Miami’s cultural community, supporting institutions including the Pérez Art Museum Miami.
A Piaget black opal and gold watch estimated at $7,000-$9,000
Phillips
Phillips will offer 41 pieces from Hills’ collection in the live New York Jewels auction and another 90 pieces in the New York Jewels Online sale under the banner “A Life in Color.” Highlights in the live sale include a ruby and diamond bow brooch estimated at $20,000 to $30,000 and a rare Piaget black opal and gold watch estimated at $7,000 to $9,000.
The collection also includes a group of jewels by De Vroomen, the design partnership of goldsmith Leo De Vroomen and designer Ginnie De Vroomen. Among them is a tourmaline, diamond and enamel pendant brooch being offered without reserve.
“Mrs. Hills’ collection reveals her vibrant, creative life in the arts, with jewels that function as miniature works of art—bold, expressive and deeply connected to her passion for color, design and cultural patronage,” Batista said.
Colombian Emerald and diamond necklace estimated at $500,000–$800,000
Phillips
Other notable lots in the sale include:
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A platinum necklace set with 20 graduated step-cut Colombian emeralds separated by rows of brilliant-cut diamonds (estimate: $500,000–$800,000).
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A white gold ring set with an 8.08-carat octagonal step-cut emerald flanked by diamonds (estimate: $120,000–$180,000).
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A platinum ring set with a 7.30-carat step-cut diamond flanked by tapered baguette-cut diamonds (estimate: $120,000–$180,000).
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A pair of platinum Winston Cluster earrings by Harry Winston, each set with pear- and marquise-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 16.15 carats in total (estimate: $100,000–$150,000).
This article was originally published on Forbes.com