Shopping of David Webb jewelry @ Christie's NY

The Anneberg Diamond. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

Set with a square emerald-cut diamond, weighing approximately 32.01 carats, flanked on either side by a pear-shaped diamond, weighing approximately 1.61 and 1.51 carats, mounted in platinum. Signed David Webb. Est. $3,000,000 - $5,000,000

With report 15708319 dated 12 April 2007 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond is D color, flawless clarity, with excellent polish and excellent symmetry

With reports 15681648 and 15680928 dated 9 January 2007 and 16 February 2007 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the pear-shaped diamonds are D color, internally flawless clarity

Notes: The Annenberg Diamond, a perfect D color flawless gem of 32.01 carats, belonged to the late Leonore "Lee" Annenberg. Mrs. Annenberg was a passionate art collector and philanthropist who, along with her husband, The Honorable Walter H. Annenberg, entrusted billions of dollars to institutions devoted to education and the arts.

Mrs. Annenberg was the former U.S. chief of protocol during the Reagan administration, and served as chairwoman and president of the Annenberg Foundation. The late Ambassador Annenberg was a prominent newspaper publisher, broadcaster, diplomat, and philanthropist. He was a champion of public television and acquired many awards during his professional career, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Ronald Reagan and the Linus Pauling Medal for Humanitarianism. Under President Richard Nixon, he was appointed ambassador to the Court of St. James and was later made an honorary knight of the Order of the British Empire (KBE).

Over the years, the Annenberg Foundation has donated an estimated $4.2 billion to cultural, educational, and medical institutions. During their marriage, Ambassador Annenberg established the Annenberg Schools of Communication at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Southern California, and gave generously to a number of schools, libraries, theaters, hospitals, and museums across the United States. In 1993, the Foundation donated $500 million to public education through the Annenberg Challenge for School Reform, one of the largest gifts in philanthropic history. In 2002, upon the death of Ambassador Annenberg, the couple's collection of French Impressionist art - valued at approximately $1 billion - was donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where both Mr. and Mrs. Annenberg served as trustees. Beyond their remarkable generosity, the Annenbergs were well-known in social circles for their refined lifestyle and social prominence. Among the many illustrious friends and guests they entertained were former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the late President Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan, former President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, former President Bill Clinton and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and entertainers Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, and Bing Crosby.

Mrs. Annenberg purchased her diamond as a gift to herself for her 90th birthday in 2007. She was very excited to buy a special Asscher-cut diamond and purchased it from David Webb, the renowned American jeweler, at their store in Beverly Hills, California. Due to its magnitude, it was delivered to her home by an entourage accompanied by armed guards. Mrs. Annenberg wore her diamond with great style and as often as she could and took tremendous pleasure when her friends would come by each time to admire this extraordinary gem.

Christie's is honored to present the Annenberg Diamond, a quintessential symbol of esteemed provenance and legendary beauty.

A multi-gem and diamond flower brooch, by David Webb. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

Centering upon a circular-cut yellow diamond and diamond cluster pistil, within an oval and circular-cut sapphire surround, extending oval cabochon turquoise petals, accented by circular-cut diamonds, to the baguette-cut yellow diamond stem and maquise-cut yellow diamond leaf, mounted in platinum, with pendant hoop for suspension. Signed David Webb. Est. $20,000 - $30,000

A diamond, multi-gem and enamel brooch, by David Webb. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

Designed as a pavé-set diamond carnival horse head, accented by circular-cut ruby, sapphire and emerald detail, with a pear-shaped sapphire eye, and a black enamel and sculpted gold bridal, headpiece and stylized mane, suspending gold openwork and emerald tassels, mounted in 18k gold and platinum. Signed David Webb - Est. $15,000 - $20,000

A diamond and gold necklace, by David Webb. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

Designed as a hammered 18k gold tapered band of scroll motif, centering upon a graduated series of circular-cut diamonds, the front set with a circular and marquise-cut diamond foliate cluster, extending circular-cut diamond open links, joined by baguette-cut diamond spacers, mounted in 18k gold and platinum, 15 ins., with pendant hoop for suspension. Signed Webb for David Webb - Est. $15,000 - $20,000

A diamond and gold pendant/brooch, by David Webb. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

Of circular openwork outline, centering upon a pavé-set diamond heart, within a circular and baguette-cut diamond surround, accented by hammered 18k gold scroll motifs, to the hammered 18k gold scrolled border, mounted in 18k gold and platinum, with pendant hoop for suspension. Signed Webb for David Webb - Est. $15,000 - $20,000

A diamond and gold pendant necklace, by David Webb. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

The detachable pendant, designed as a sculpted 18k gold Maltese Cross, centering upon a circular-cut diamond plaque with a diamond-set star motif, suspended by a graduated sculpted 18k gold open link necklace, mounted in 18k gold and platinum, 29½ ins., pendant may be detached and worn as a brooch, necklace may also be worn as two smaller necklaces, 23½ and 19 ins. Necklace and pendant signed David Webb (3) - Est. $15,000 - $20,000

A diamond, enamel and gold bracelet, by David Webb. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

Of crossover design, the twin black and white enamel giraffe heads, each with cabochon ruby eyes, pavé-set diamonds and a fluted gold mane, the black and white enamel body forming the hinged articulated hoop, mounted in 18k gold and platinum, 2¼ ins. diameter. Signed David Webb - Est. $15,000 - $20,000

A pair of enamel, diamond and emerald tiger brooches, by David Webb. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

Each designed as either a textured 18k gold or white enamel crouched tiger, with black enamel stripes and pear-shaped emerald eyes, the face and collar decorated with circular-cut diamonds, mounted in 18k gold and platinum. Each signed Webb for David Webb - Est. $8,000 - $12,000

An enamel, diamond and gold brooch, by David Webb. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2009

Designed as a black enamel and sculpted 18k gold elephant head with a cabochon emerald eye and a circular-cut diamond tusk, extending a coiled black enamel and gold trunk, mounted in 18k gold and platinum. Signed Webb for David Webb - Est. $4,000 - $6,000

Christie's. Jewels: The New York Sale and the Annenberg Diamond. 21 October 2009. New York, Rockefeller Plaza www.christies.com