Top 5 Fine Pearls and Pearl Jewelry

THE COWDRAY PEARLS - A RARE NATURAL PEARL NECKLACE:.
The Cowdray Pearls, a rare natural pearl necklace, composed of a single row of thirty-eight graduated natural grey pearls, lead the sale. From the collection of the late Viscountess Cowdray, Lady Pearson (1860-1932), these rare and beautiful colored pearls are a testament to their owner’s discerning taste as a distinguished connoisseur and collector.
Pre-Auction Estimate: $430,000 - $530,000 Price Realized: $3,353,661

Lot 422 Rare and Exceptional Platinum, Silver, Diamond and Natural Pearl Pendant Topped by a looped ribbon set with 23 old-mine cut diamonds approximately 2.00 cts., suspending 2 drop-shaped slightly brownish gray pearls approximately 12.90 to 12.95 x 23.85 mm. and 12.90 to 13.05 x 22.45 mm., with silver and rose-cut diamond-set caps, with later pendant mounting circa 1920. Provenance:
George Crocker, by descent to his daughter
Emma Wallace Rutherford (Mrs. Philip Kearny)
Acquired circa 1925 by
Henry Rogers Benjamin, by descent to his daughter
Anne Rogers Benjamin (Mrs. Robert R. Barry), by descent to her daughter
Mrs. Lewis A. Shea
C Property of Mrs. Lewis A. Shea
Sold for $3,301,000 (Includes Buyer's Premium) Estimate $100,000-200,000

'THE GULF PEARL PARURE Sold for: $4,189,165

A UNIQUE AND MAGNIFICENT NATURAL PEARL AND DIAMOND PARURE, BY HARRY WINSTON
The necklace designed as a graduated fringe of eleven natural pearl drops weighing from 122.84 grains (30.71 carats) to 33.00 grains (8.25 carats) suspended from an elaborate, articulated necklace comprising one row of brilliant-cut and pear-shaped diamonds, one row of paired natural pearl drops, one row of brilliant and marquise-cut diamonds to the single-row of fifty-seven natural pearls measuring from 9.1 to 5.1 mm, bracelet, detachable ear pendants and ring en suite, necklace 36.5 cm long, bracelet 19.5 cm long, ear pendants 5.5 cm long, ring size 6, in fitted black suede Harry Winston case
The parure comprises a total of 193 natural pearls of which 128 weigh a total of almost 1,300 grains (325 carats) and 166 diamonds of which 66 weigh a total of almost 160 carats.
With maker's mark of Jacques Timey for Harry Winston

MAGNIFICENT NATURAL PEARL AND DIAMOND NECKLACE Estimate $794,124 - 1,391,014 USDLOT SOLD $3,426,669 USD Composed of two strands of natural pearls measuring from approximately 6.25 to 8.45mm, suspending seven detachable drop shaped natural pearls, measuring from approximately 9.50 x 9.55 x 13.85mm to 14.10 x 14.85 x 21.25mm, capped with rose diamonds, the clasp set with a cushion-shaped diamond,shortest length approximately 400mm, each pearl strand detachable, fitted case, accompanied by a portrait of Queen Joséphine wearing the necklace, measuring approximately 870 x 720mm.

Known once as the Phillip II pearl, La Peregina, (not to be confused with La Pellegrina) was once the most celebrated pearl of its time. Weighing a large 203.8 grains, La Peregrina was celebrated not only for its great size, but also its perfect pear shape, and bright white coloration.