Diamonds and Gemstones Beat Pre-Sale Estimates At Bonhams New York Sale

(IDEX Online) – The top performing lot during Bonhams December Fine Jewelry sale was a diamond ring which sold for $828,500 compared with its pre-sale estimate of $400,000-$600,000.

Coming from a private collection, it was the first time the 18.04-carat emerald-cut diamond had come to auction.

The second top performing lot was a diamond solitaire ring by Royal De Versailles. The round brilliant-cut diamond, weighing 7.01 carats, F color, VS1 clarity, sold for $275,000, exceeding its pre-sale estimate of $180,000 - $250,000.

Other colorless diamonds included:

• A diamond solitaire ring centering a pear-shaped brilliant-cut diamond, weighing 5.03 carats, D color, Internally Flawless clarity, Type IIa, which sold for $250,000.
• A pair of heart-shaped diamond earrings, weighing 4.04 and 4.00 carats, G color, VS2 and VS1 clarity respectively, sold for $112,500.

• A diamond ring centering a round, brilliant-cut diamond, weighing 7.92 carats, G color, sold for $150,000.

Meanwhile, demand for an historic Kashmir sapphire was high during the sale with buyers attracted to one particular lot, a sapphire and diamond ring, dated circa 1900. Featuring a square cushion-shaped Kashmir sapphire, weighing 3.00 carats, it sold for $125,000 ($41,666 per carat) compared with its pre-sale estimate of $18,000-$25,000. It had no indications of heat or clarity enhancement.

In addition to the Kashmir sapphire, Bonhams also offered a Sri Lankan sapphire for sale. The sapphire and diamond ring by American jeweler Oscar Heyman features an oval-shaped sapphire, weighing 17.03 carats. It sold for $106,250 against its pre-sale estimate of $60,000- $80,000. It had no indications of heat or clarity enhancement.