Auction introduction: Christie’s New York is proud to present Magnificent Jewels featuring The Azure Blue. This sale features a remarkable selection of notable and important private collections including The Collection of Lorinda Payson de Roulet, The Collection of Agnes Gund, and Modern Icons: Jewels from an Important Family. The sale also features important philanthropic initiatives including Property from the Collection of Irene Roosevelt Aitken: Sold to Benefit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Frick Collection, and the Morgan Library & Museum, as well as The Joanna Carson Collection: A Legacy of Glamour and Giving. Together, these collections present a carefully curated spectrum of jewels from historic to contemporary eras. At the forefront of the sale is The Azure Blue, the largest Fancy Blue diamond ever to appear at auction. Weighing 31.62 carats, this extraordinary pear‑shaped diamond is distinguished by its exceptional presence and rarity. A further standout is a magnificent 5.04 carat Fancy Vivid Blue marquise‑cut diamond, with a color so intense that it ranks among the most remarkable blue diamonds of its size. Additional highlights include superb gemstones and magnificent diamonds, complemented by masterworks from the world’s most esteemed houses, including Bulgari, Cartier, David Webb, JAR, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels.