Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewelry, Antique Jewels and Diamonds...Bidders Wanted It All At Bonhams' London Fine Jewelry Auction

from a Press Release by Bonham's

Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewelry, Antique Jewels

and Diamonds...Bidders Wanted It All 

At Bonhams' London Fine Jewelry Auction 

The sale achieved £5.16 million, with 87% lots sold by value and 109 lots going to new owners.

The Hope Spinel was the highlight of the sale, smashing its pre-sale estimate of £150,000-£200,000 as a result of competitive bidding on the phones. It sold for £962,500, achieving a new world record price of $30,000 per carat. This exceptional gem was bought by a private telephone bidder.

The second top lot of the auction was another icon: an Art Deco enamel, gem-set and diamond 'Tutti Frutti' bracelet by Cartier. Made in New York in 1929, the bracelet, with a highly articulated geometric strap and vine motifs, was sold for £458,500 to a telephone bidder.

The market for top quality, natural pearls continues to remain strong according to the September sale results. A circular natural pearl ring, measuring 16.71 x 10.94mm, and set between baguette-cut diamonds shoulders sold for four times its pre-sale estimate of £50,000 to £70,000, achieving £206,500.

Signed jewelry also performed extremely well with a rare diamond 'Torsade' bangle, by Suzanne Belperron, circa 1932, capturing the attention of bidders worldwide. The highly desirable collectors' piece was estimated at £40,000-£60,000, but after bidding from the saleroom, online and over the phones, the bangle sold for £164,500.

Other key lots included: 

• A sapphire and diamond ring, by Boucheron. The rectangular step-cut sapphire, weighing 7.54 carats, between tapered baguette and brilliant-cut diamond shoulders outstripped its pre-sale estimate of £40,000-£60,000 and sold for £110,500.

• A Belle Époque diamond single-stone ring, circa 1910. The old hexagonal-cut diamond, weighing 8.18 carats, had a pre-sale estimate of £30,000-£50,000 and sold for £80,500.



Jean Ghika, Bonhams Head of Jewelry for UK and Europe, says: "We had an exceptional sale with a number of very rare items that naturally attracted interest worldwide. Demand for colored gemstones, signed jewelry and period pieces continued to remain strong. The sale represented a great start to the jewelry auction season this autumn and winter."

"Period and art deco earrings were also strong performers at the auction according to Bonhams. Examples included a pair of Art Deco diamond pendent earrings, by Cartier, circa 1925, which sold for more than five times their pre-sale estimate of £20,000-£30,000, being successfully bought by a telephone bidder for £134,500. Further on in the sale, a pair of early 19th century girandole earrings, with a pre-sale estimate of £18,000-£20,000, achieved £86,500."

Jean Ghika of Bonhams says: "These two sets of earrings were wonderful examples of classic period earrings, beautifully designed and in their original condition. These factors make them highly desirable along with the fact that they are extremely wearable today."
Bonhams is now expecting the strong market to be reflected during its next two Fine Jewelry sales in New York on 13th October and Hong Kong on 30th November.

Bonhams sells more jewelry lots each year than any other international house and has more dedicated jewelry auctions annually.

CLICK HERE for the full results of September's Fine Jewelry Sale at Bonham's London

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Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son & Neale. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street and Knightsbridge; and a further three in the UK regions and Scotland. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Connecticut in the USA; and Germany, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments go to www.bonhams.com

India's Bridal Fashion Week to go International in 2014

For the next few weeks we will be seeing India's Bridal Week from such exotic local as Mumbai and this year in the nation's capital Delhi. However, 2014 will see a huge change...Vijay Singh, managing director, Fashion One International, is reported to have announced that in 2014 they will take the show International.

"We're going to London next year. I believe that any specific industry requires a new market. If you look at the Indian fashion industry, every designer is a name in outside countries as well. So why not (go international)," Singh said at the recent event.
Now - why would that be important to a Jewelry blog? Jewelry has traditionally featured heavily in the Indian Bridal look...so we are excited to see which jewelry houses are selected by the Bridal Fashion Lines for this first International Exhibit!!!

According to a report by the Times of India, this year's event in Delhi will be extravagant and include both Bridal and Couture houses.

"Participating designers at the six-day event are JJ Valaya, Tarun Tahiliani, Raghavendra Rathore, Shantanu and Nikhil, Falguni and Shane Peacock, Rohit Bal, Suneet Varma, Ashima Leena, Meera and Muzaffar Ali, Adarsh Gill, Jyotsana Tiwari and Rina Dhaka.

While Valaya is the opening designer, Tahiliani will present the closing collection.

There will also be a bridal expo - The Bridal Luxury Couture Exposition - which will run simultaneous with the IBFW. It will feature 65 top designers and creative wedding planners who will interact directly with the customers."

The Opal Jewels of the Prince of Siam - Sotheby's Fine Jewels Auction Tomorrow

The Story of the 17 year old English girl that married Prince Bira of Siam is the stuff of Hollywood movies - tumultuous (they divorced and married three times) and of course filled with gifts of amazing jewels - see the entire story here from the Daily Mail UK!

Londoner Ceril Heycock and
Prince Bira, late 1940s

The most famous is this suite of Opal Jewels:

Sotheby's upcoming Fine Jewels auction will be held in two sessions tomorrow...or more specifically tonight if, like me you are on the Left Coast of the US.

Fine Jewels

11 JULY 2013 | 10:30 AM | LONDON

SESSION 1: 11 JUL 2013 | 10:30 AM | LOTS 1 - 157
SESSION 2: 11 JUL 2013 | 2:00 PM | LOTS 158 - 310

Featured are over 300 lots dating from the 19th to the 21st century, including a large collection of cufflinks, principally from the 1920s and 30s.

Browse all items in the sale, including the 'Mini Baignoire' lady's diamond cocktail watch by Cartier, as well as magnificent opals, some of which were formerly in the collection of Princess Ceril Birabongse of Siam.

November 21st - Christies Important Jewels - London

RELEASE: IMPORTANT JEWELS - LONDON, 21 NOVEMBER 2012

CHRISTIE’S SALE OF IMPORTANT JEWELS ON 12 DECEMBER 2012 COMPRISES 383 LOTS AND OFFERS THE CHANCE TO ACQUIRE EXQUISITE EXAMPLES OF JEWELS BY THE LEADING HOUSES AND DESIGNERS.

Christie’s London sale of Important Jewels on 12 December 2012 comprises 383 lots and offers the chance to acquire exquisite examples of jewels by the leading houses and designers including: Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron and Bulgari. Spanning four centuries, the sale presents a strong array of rare historic rings, diamonds and pearls, with estimates ranging from £1,000 to £800,000.

Leading the sale are an exquisite mid-19^th century diamond tiara and a diamond and pearl necklace, formerly in the collection of The 1^st Marchioness Conygnham (1769-1861), the last mistress of George IV (1762-1830), 

The necklace (estimate: £50,000 – 70,000) and tiara (estimate: £200,000 - £250,000) reflect the King’s desire that his court should be the most brilliant in Europe. Resplendent in his Field Marshal’s uniform with diamonds blazing from his hat and Garter star, His Majesty the King cut a magnificent and unforgettable figure on every official occasion. While he recognised the prestigious value of jewels, they also appealed to his sense of beauty and his commissions to the leading jewellers are an important aspect of his patronage of the arts.

George IV enjoyed giving jewels to the women in his life and often did so, The 1st Marchioness being especially favoured. Contemporary memoirs of 1829 recounting ‘’the wealth Lady Conygnham must have accumulated by savings and presents must be enormous, the King continues to heap all kinds of presents on her and she lives at his expense.” Until his death in 1830, Lady Conyngham was always at the King’s side, he proudly took her arm at dinner and he encouraged her to wear as many jewels as she liked so that she would be sure to stand out at court events.

NATURAL PEARLS

The demand for high quality natural pearls continues to grow and this sale features a strong selection of natural pearls at a wide range of estimates and in varying forms. Leading highlights include an important natural pearl necklace which is expected to realise between £500,000 & £800,000, a necklace consisting of sixty natural pearls, alternately strung with seed pearls suspending a drop pearl (estimate: £60,000 - 80,000), and  a pair of art deco natural pearl and diamond ear pendants (estimate: £25,000 – 35,000).   

EMERALDS

A particularly strong selection of emeralds will include a dress ring by Bulgari (estimate: £65,000 – 75,000), an emerald and diamond ring by Cartier (estimate: £70,000 – 90,000) and an impressive emerald and diamond tiara mounted by Cartier (estimate: £120,000 – 150,000). This tiara, with its diamond palm motifs, comes with a detachable chain for it to be worn as a necklace; such convertible tiaras continue to be very popular, maximizing usability for the owner.   

CARTIER

Since it was founded in 1847, Cartier has been a symbol of French Haute Joaillerie. Incomparable and timeless designs, together with gemstones of the highest quality and exceptional craftsmanship ensure that Cartier jewels remain some of the most sought-after amongst International collectors. Always a highlight of the London sale, the regular Cartier section features over 40 lots, from jewels and cufflinks to watches, clocks and accessories.  Jewellery highlights include an early 20^th century diamond aeroplane brooch (estimate: £8,000 – 10,000). Dating from a time when women across the globe were beginning to develop a fascination with flying to rival that of their male counterparts, Cartier joined the popular celebration of these thrilling, beautiful and pioneering aviatrix whilst also answering a demand from their, perhaps slightly less adventurous clients who wished to share in this new and now most feminine of passions; flying.

A mid-20^th century sapphire, emerald and diamond flowerhead clip brooch (estimate: £32,000 – 35,000), an early 20^th century natural pearl and diamond star-shaped brooch (estimate: £15,000 – 20,000), and a pair of art deco ruby and diamond ear pendants (estimate: £25,000 – 35,000) are further jewellery highlights.

The desirable selection of watches features a lady’s 18 carat white gold and diamond ‘Baignoire’ wristwatch (estimate: £3,000 – 4,000) and a lady’s 18 carat gold wristwatch, (estimate: £2,000 – 3,000). A number of Cartier clocks include an enamel and silver-gilt miniature desk clock (estimate: £2,500 – 3,500).

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS

Since their foundation in 1906 Van Cleef & Arpels has remained one of the most highly regarded jewellery houses; renowned for their original designs, high quality stones and impeccable craftsmanship, they are represented in this sale by a selection of over 20 jewels. Highlights include an art deco diamond and gem-set bracelet (estimate: £30,000 – 50,000), a ruby and diamond ‘Ludo’ bracelet (estimate: £5,000 – 7,000), and a diamond flower brooch (estimate: £35,000 – 45,000).

Related Sale Sale 5968
Important Jewels
12 December 2012
London, King Street

About Christie’s
Christie’s, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in 2011 that totaled £3.6 billion/$5.7 billion. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers over 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie's also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War and Contemporary, Impressionist and Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery. Private sales totaled £502 million / $808.6m in 2011, an increase of 44% on the previous year.

Christie’s has a global presence with 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, and Hong Kong. More recently, Christie’s has led the market with expanded initiatives in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai. 

Pioneering Cartier Pieces Highlight Bonhams December Jewellery Sale

Two important Cartier pieces are among the top lots of the Bonhams Art of Jewels: Fine Jewellery and Iconic Gems sale on December 9th at New Bond Street.

An impressive Art-Deco diamond necklace by Cartier, 1936 demonstrates the pioneering nature of the French jewellery house during a time when they were attempting to push the boundaries of design. Cartier were among the first to use the rare metal platinum, which was to change the future of jewellery design. The signed necklace offered by Bonhams is estimated at £100,000 – 150,000 and is made up of numerous cuts of diamonds: old brilliant, brilliant, single, square and baguette cut diamonds that sit on pierced geometric plaques, graduating in size from the centre.

A very rare diamond and natural pearl bow brooch by Cartier, circa 1960 is a further highlight of the sale, estimated at £150,000 – 200,000. The looped ribbons are set throughout with brilliant and baguette cut diamonds that suspend two large natural saltwater pearls, which are exceptional specimens. These two examples clearly show why Cartier jewellery was described as "Jeweller to Kings, King to Jewellers."

Other signed pieces included in the sale are a ruby and diamond bangle by Van Cleef & Arpels circa 1970, estimated at £10,000 – 15,000 and a diamond bangle from the "Phoenix Wonderland" collection by the renowned British jeweller Boodles, estimated at £15,000 – 20,000. The cuff is designed as a stylised phoenix rising up the forearm when worn, set with brilliant-cut diamonds and lager pear-shaped diamond highlights.

Further highlights of the sale include a selection of impressive natural pearls. A pearl necklace with a ruby and diamond clasp, circa 1930 is estimated to sell for £10,000 – 15,000.

They were given as a present to a relative of the current owner by the first Monarch of Saudi Arabia, Abdul Aziz Al Saud, King (Malik) of Saudi Arabia, commonly referred to as "Ibn Saud". A large bouton pearl and diamond ring is estimated to sell for £15,000 – 20,000.

http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/17851/