Austrian Billionaire Heidi Horten’s US$150m jewellery collection set to break records at Christie’s | Auctions News | THE VALUE
By: Kayan Wong | Pictures: Justin Cheng
20 Apr, 2023 | Thu | 17:22
This May perhaps, all through the Luxurious Week in Geneva, Christie’s is poised to break auction data by presenting The World of Heidi Horten – a series of income dedicated to the private jewellery assortment of the late Austrian philanthropist and artwork collector.
With a pre-sale estimate of much more than US$150 million, it is established to be the major and most valuable private jewellery collection at any time to arrive to auction. It also sits among previous record-breaking sales of the Elizabeth Tayler Assortment in 2011, and the Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence auction in 2019 – the only two jewellery collections in heritage to realise far more than US$100 million.
Stand-out a lot from the great 700-piece collection include the 90.38-carat ‘Briolette of India’ diamond necklace by Harry Winston, the 25-carat Cartier ‘Sunrise Ruby’ and diamond ring, as effectively as an significant range of jade parts.
Heidi Horten carrying the 90.38-carat ‘Briolette of India’ diamond necklace
The Briolette of India, a 90-carat, D-color diamond necklace by Harry Winston | Estimate on request

Born in Vienna in 1941, Heidi Horten satisfied her potential husband Helmut Horten at a bar when she was 19. At the time, she was a secretary in a Viennese legislation company, whilst Helmut Horten, then 51, was a renowned German entrepreneur who designed up and owned Horten AG, the fourth-largest department retail outlet chains in Germany.
Sharing interest in artwork, the few set about filling their homes with paintings after marrying in 1966. Collectively, they commenced creating what afterwards grew to become a virtually billion-greenback artwork collection, with important will work which includes pieces by Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, amongst some others.
Also passionate about jewelry, they acquired exceptional vintage and modern day jewels from the most prestigious homes, these as Bulgari, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Harry Winston. Notably, her Bulgari assortment by itself ranks as one of the best 5 of such at any time assembled.
Immediately after her spouse handed away in 1987, Heidi Horten inherited his US$1 billion fortune, which, not only permitted her to grow her collection of art and jewelry, but also made her a person of the wealthiest girl in the world, rated within the world’s 500 richest men and women by Forbes at the time. By the time of her demise in 2022, she was documented to have a net really worth of US$3 billion.

Immediately after marrying her spouse in 1966, Heidi Horten began to build a collection of art and jewelry
‘The Sunrise Ruby’ Cartier ruby and diamond ring | Estimate: US$15,000,000 – 20,000,000
In 2018, she teamed up with the Leopold Museum in Vienna and presented 175 artworks from her collection in an exhibition titled WOW! The Heidi Horten Assortment. The show turned out to be a tremendous accomplishment, as it turned that institution’s most-visited exhibition.
Moved by its triumph, Horten was impressed to establish a everlasting property for her art. Just 10 times just before she died, her desire to share her assortment with a wider audience was last but not least fulfilled, with The Heidi Horten Assortment in Vienna officially opening to community on 2 June 2022.
As for her very long-cherished jewelry collection, Horten made a decision to move them on through Christie’s auctions this Could, all proceeds of which will go to the Heidi Horten Foundation, her health care investigation and other philanthropic routines, which she has supported for numerous a long time.
In 2018, component of her collection was exhibited at the Leopold Museum
The Heidi Horten Assortment opened to the community in 2022
Spotlight tons from the revenue:
Harry Winston organic and cultured pearl and coloured diamond necklace

Estimate on request
A Bulgari diamond, sapphire and emerald necklace

Estimate on request
A Bulgari colored diamond and emerald bracelet

Estimate: US$350,000 – 550,000
A Bulgari colored diamond and diamond booch

Estimate on request
A Fancy Pink diamond of 20.06 carats

Estimate on ask for
The Terrific Mughal emerald and diamond necklace by Harry Winston

Estimate: US$500,000 – 700,000
Jadeite bead and diamond necklace

Estimate: US$3,000,000 – 5,000,000
Double-strand jadeite bead necklace, diamond clasp by Cartier

Estimate: US$2,000,000 – 3,000,000
Jadeute cabochon and diamond ring

Estimate: US$300,000 – 500,000
Jadeite cabochon and diamond bracelet

Estimate: US$200,000 – 300,000
Auction Information:
Auction Dwelling: Christie’s Geneva

Gross sales and Dates:
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- The Earth of Heidi Horten: Spectacular Jewels Portion I | 10 May well 2023
- The World of Heidi Horten: Outstanding Jewels Element II | 12 Might 2023
- The Planet of Heidi Horten: Jewels Online | 3 – 15 May 2023