THIS mystery set sapphire and diamond flower brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels made a hammer price of €110,000 at James Adam sale of Fine Jewellery and Watches in Dublin on September 13. Described by the auctioneers as rare and collectible it had been estimated at €30,000-€50,000. Patented by Van Cleef & Arpels in 1933 the Mystery Setting “is a technique which allows the jeweller to model any form, any movement”. The apparently invisible mounting of the stones without visible claws or prongs creates an effect which makes them almost look as though they are floating.
