Embodying quiet elegance, the jewels of Mica Ertegun are a direct reflection of her exquisite taste and style. She carefully collected and curated each piece over many years, worn just so – never overpowering the allure that was Mica, a true arbiter of sophistication and style.

Mrs. Ertegun had a thoughtful approach when selecting jewelry. Each piece was mindfully chosen with the intent of enhancing her beautiful wardrobe.

Most often, a long necklace of baroque cultured pearls with matching earrings was a companion of Mica’s, adorning her from day to evening (Lot 6). During more formal occasions, Mica looked to some of her favorite jewels, including a pair of impressive diamond earrings (Lot 9). True to her keen eye, the diamonds are not traditional diamond studs, instead, they are set with charming old European-cut stones over 15 carats each, accented by old-cut diamond surmounts.

Perhaps her most identifiable jewel is a torsade of ruby beads wrapped in a diamond ‘thread’ motif, by the most important jeweler of our time – the extraordinary Joel Arthur Rosenthal – JAR (Lot 14).

Mica had a true fondness for antique jewelry, often slightly modifying it so it could be worn accentuating her overall look. A notable example from her collection is a wonderful set of diamond, blue enamel and yellow gold jewelry, including a necklace that may be worn as a longchain or doubled around the neck (Lot 13).

Christie’s is truly privileged to offer the jewels of Mica Ertegun this December. Just as with the exceptional art and decorative objects offered from the Mica Ertegun collection, her jewels provide a window into the world of Mica Ertegun – a generous philanthropist, sophisticated collector and fashion icon.