Auction Jewel: Skinner Fine Jewelry Auction Grosses $2.8M

Skinner Fine Jewelry Auction Grosses $2.8M

Cartier Art Deco pendant claims top bid

BOSTON, Mass. – Skinner, Inc. today announced strong results for its recent Fine Jewelry sale held Tuesday, June 12^th. The highly successful sale grossed $2.8 million including buyer’s premium, surpassing the pre-auction estimate high. Colored stones, Art Deco pieces, diamonds, and natural pearls were especially strong performers.

Art Deco & Diamonds

Both period pieces and diamonds produced exceptional results as highlighted by the auction’s top seller, an exquisite Art Deco diamond pendant necklace by Cartier. The necklace brought $325,000 and features a pear-shaped diamond, weighing 7.93 cts., accompanied by a GIA certificate, stating that the diamond is F color, VS1 clarity.

Other Art Deco pieces that brought excellent results include a Tiffany & Co. cushion-cut diamond ring weighing 3.92 cts. which sold for $142,200, and a platinum star sapphire and diamond ring that brought $15,405. A unique set of five Art Deco platinum and gem-set acrostic stacking rings set with a square-cut diamond, cabochon emerald, cabochon amethyst and fancy cut ruby also performed well, bringing in $22,515.

Colored Stones

Top-quality colored stones realized extraordinary prices. An outstanding example was an antique Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring, set with a cabochon sapphire weighing 9.92 cts., accompanied by an AGL report and a Gubelin report stating Kashmir origin, with no evidence of heat treatment. This exquisite gem sold for an impressive $189,600, surpassing its presale estimate high of $50,000.

Other top-performing colored stones include a bezel-set sapphire and diamond ring that sold for $36,735 and an emerald and diamond brooch that brought $22,515.

Natural Pearls

Natural pearl necklaces have been in great demand recently. The June 12^th sale featured a five-strand natural pearl necklace with an emerald and diamond clasp that auctioned for $77,025 and a double strand natural pearl necklace that brought $56,880.

Skinner, Inc. will hold its next Fine Jewelry auction on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 in its Boston gallery.  For information on consignment, please contact the Skinner Fine Jewelry department at (617) 874-4305 or jewelry@skinnerinc.com.

 

About Skinner

Skinner, Inc. is one of the world’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Works of Art, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20^th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Silver, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Discovery and Science, Technology & Clocks.  Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Marlborough, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.