A collection of haute bijouterie is going under the hammer today at Christie’s Geneva, to benefit charity. They come from the collection of Lily Safra, whose late husband was a wealthy banker (he was her fourth; she has a reputed net worth of $1 billion). This brooch, fashioned to look like a camelia, was made by renowned American jeweller living in Paris Joel Arthur Rosenthal (who is known professionally  as JAR).

This brooch is set with 173.09 carats of Burmese rubies, with a pre-sale estimate of USD $$1,186,997 – $1,510,724.

Christies notes on the site that, “A special section will be dedicated to 18 unique jewels by JAR, the majority of which were created for Mrs. Safra by the renowned jeweler between the 1980s and 2000s. This is the largest collection of creations by JAR ever to be presented at auction, offering a magnificent demonstration of jewelry as a form of art.”

The auction is available for viewing on the Christie’s web site-many gorgeous and lavish pieces whose sale benefits 20 charities. (All the monies raised will go to these beneficiaries.)