On June 16th Bonhams New York’s Fine Jewelry and Salon Jewelry sales, drew the attention of an excited group of collectors. The sales offered several excellent collecting opportunities, amongst the 563 lots presented.
Commanding the top price was the cover lot, a spectacular 10.32 carat diamond solitaire ring. Centering a rectangular cut diamond of coveted shape and size, the ring is accented by a surround of baguette-cut diamonds. Accompanied by GIA report stating F color, VVS1 clarity, the piece brought $522,000.
A Bulgari ruby, diamond and cultured pearl necklace was also of great interest. Centering an oval cabochon ruby, the piece features a central row of cultured pearls and a border of pavé-set round brilliant-cut diamonds. With a ruby weighing approximately 21.50 carats and an estimated total diamond weight of 23.50 carats, the necklace went to an international buyer at a price of $67,100.
Also drawing collectors was a pair of diamond pendant earrings, each suspending a marquise-cut diamond, weighing 3.34 and 3.03 carats, and accented by a micro-pavé diamond surround and surmount.
The lot neatly topped its estimate of $50,000-60,000 with a final price of $67,100.
Another piece exceeding expectations was a Bailey, Banks & Biddle diamond solitaire ring. Featuring a round brilliant-cut diamond, weighing 3.03 carats, and accentuated by baguette-cut diamond four-stone shoulders, the lot touched off a round of competitive bidding bringing $61,000 against an estimate of $35,000- 45,000.
Several bracelets fetched notable prices throughout the Fine Jewelry sale.
A diamond bracelet comprised of seventeen graduated old European-cut diamonds with baguette-cut diamond two-stone spacers lured collectors. Following a session of intense bidding the piece outperformed its estimate of $25,000-30,000 with the impressive final price of $45,750.
A circa 1935, late art deco diamond and emerald strap bracelet sold strongly. With three openwork panels, each centering a marquise-shaped diamond within a rectangular surround of smaller marquise, baguette and old European-cut diamonds, the striking piece brought $43,920.
Greatly outperforming were a Sterle diamond bracelet and an antique diamond and gem set bracelet from the estate of Dr. Mary Ann Payne. A lovely example of the French jeweler’s fluid design work, the Sterle bracelet far surpassed its estimate of $15,000-25,000 with a price of $40,260. Similarly, the antique diamond bracelet sparked no less than a bidding war, soaring past its estimate of $8,000-10,000 with the outstanding price of $39,040.
Diamond rings continued to attract bidders as well. Following a round of aggressive bidding a 3.88 carat round-brilliant cut diamond solitaire ring more than doubled its estimate of $15,000-20,000, ultimately realizing $42,700. Another 3.84 carat marquise-shaped diamond solitaire ring sold well fetching $40,260. Dramatically outperforming, a 3.19 carat round brilliant-cut diamond ring rounded out the sale’s top lots. Accented by a curving surround of pavé-set round brilliant-cut diamonds, detailed with baguette-cut diamond seven-stone shoulders, and completed by a detachable fourteen karat yellow gold ring guard, the lot caused excited bidding and drew a final price of $36,600 against an estimate of $15,000-20,000.
The auctioneers opened bidding for its Salon Jewelry and Watches sale late on Wednesday afternoon, continuing the simulcast jewelry auctions between the three US salesrooms. More than $500,000 was paid for lots offered within the afternoon session, comprising necklaces, rings, bracelets, brooches, watches, earrings and cufflinks. Competitive bidding continued through the afternoon, with hammer prices exceeding estimates for several signed pieces.
Top lot in the Salon sale was an emerald, diamond and enamel 18k gold ring signed Marcus & Co. The ring, illustrated on the auction catalog cover, sold above estimate for $8,540. That same amount was paid for a jadeite jade and diamond ring in platinum – this ring featuring an oval-shaped jadeite cabochon surrounded by approximately 2.3-carats of diamonds. Bidders pushed the price to twice the estimate for an opal, diamond and 18k white gold wristwatch bangle by Chopard which brought $7,930 and a collector paid $6,405, six times the estimate, for a lovely pair of heart motif earclips by Marchak, Paris. The earclips were designed as a pair of larger 18k yellow gold heart shapes above diamonds set in platinum, the earclips stemming from the collection of a Hollywood lady.
The illustrated auction catalog for the sales will be online at www.bonhams.com/us in the weeks following the auction. For more information about the department, please visit www.bonhams.com/jewelry.