Spectacular 17-Carat Diamond Solitaire Ring Achieves $1,447,500 At Bonhams New York

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Category: Fine Jewelry, Accessories

Published on Tuesday, 06 December 2016 19:43

Written by Janet Walker

An important diamond solitaire ring, weighing 17.97 carats realized $1,447,500 at the Fine Jewelry auction at Bonhams on Dec. 6 in New York, NY. The sale, which featured a strong group of sapphires and emeralds made a total of $6,381,000.00.

Anticipation had been building for the moment when auctioneer Matthew Girling, Global CEO and Group Jewelry Director opened the bidding on the last lot of the sale, the 17.97 carat rectangular step-cut diamond solitaire ring.

Estimated at $1,000,000-1,500,000, the platinum-mounted diamond - D color, VS1 clarity, Type IIa - attracted prospective buyers from around the world. After frenzied bidding, it was finally hammered down to a United States buyer on the phone.

Susan Abeles, Director of Jewelry, Bonhams US, commented, “The success of the entire sale, including this top lot, illustrates the buoyancy of the Jewelry market.  I am delighted at this exceptional result.”

Additional diamond highlights in the 171-lot sale include:

A 6.00 carats diamond solitaire ring sold for $211,500 (estimate: 75,000-125,000)

A 11.93 carats diamond solitaire ring reached $181,250 (estimate: $50,000-70,000)

A 5.19 carats diamond ring fetched $131,250 (estimate: $125,000-150,000)

STRONG SHOWING BY SAPPHIRES

A sapphire and diamond ring, Shreve & Co. achieved $931,500

Bonhams also made waves with a rich blue Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring by Shreve & Co. dating from the 1900s, the cushion mixed-cut 7.12 carats gem sold for $931,500, hurdling past its estimate of $70,000-90,000. Susan Abeles, Director of Jewelry, Bonhams US, adds: “Fine and rare Kashmir sapphires typically display a velvety quality unique to the region as exemplified in this turn of the century example. They are among the most highly prized gems for serious collectors given their extreme rarity.”

A cushion modified mixed-cut sapphire weighing 27.49 carats, flanked by 4.95 carats diamonds reached $175,000 (estimate: $100,000-150,000). In addition, a sapphire and diamond pendant necklace belonging to a royal family – featuring an oval mixed-cut sapphire, weighing 25.26 carats – made $143,750 against an estimate of $80,000-120,000.

In the moments after the climatic and energetic sale, Abeles commented “The collection of property offered in this sale was beautiful; prices were strong for colored gemstones and diamonds. I am thrilled at the opportunity to offer this to our international community.”

Bonhams sells more jewelry lots each year than any other international house and has more dedicated jewelry auctions annually. Bonhams Californian Jewels sale takes place on 13 December 2016 and the next New York Fine Jewelry sale will take place in April 2017. Check back for a confirmed date.

Bonhams Fine Jewelry is also on Instagram on @BonhamsJewels.

ABOUT BONHAMS INTERNATIONAL AUCTIONEERS

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. Today, the auction house offers more sales than any of its rivals. The main salerooms are in London, New York and Hong Kong. Sales are also held in the UK in Knightsbridge and Edinburgh; in the U.S., in San Francisco and Los Angeles; in Europe, in Paris and Stuttgart and in Sydney, Australia. Bonhams also 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 forthcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit www.bonhams.com.