Two consecutive Bonhams jewelry sales brought in nearly $3 million combined, with diamond pieces leading both and many pieces exceeding presale estimates.
A necklace fashioned as a bow, featuring two old European-cut diamonds that weighed approximately 6.35 and 5.95 carats, was created around 1900. The piece, which was the star of the September 17 California Jewels sale, went for $83,050, above its original estimate. In total, the auction garnered $1.5 million, with 84% of lots finding buyers.
Other top-selling items included a pair of earrings from the same collection, which featured four old European-cut diamonds weighing 3.05, 3, 1.4 and 1.45 carats. That lot fetched $57,600, exceeding its presale price. Meanwhile, a ring with a round, 6.90-carat, K-color, VS2-clarity diamond, which belonged to former Chicago Mayor William Hale Thompson, brought in $53,760. A ring by Mauboussin, set with a rectangular step-cut, 6.25-carat Colombian emerald and diamonds, went for $32,000.
At its Knightsbridge Jewels sale, which took place September 18, Bonhams achieved GBP 1 million ($1.4 million), with 82% of lots sold. The highlight of that auction was a Serpenti necklace by Bulgari with pavé-set brilliant-cut diamonds. It went for GBP 40,960 ($54,428), above its presale price tag.
Image: The diamond bow necklace. (Bonhams)
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