TrendsDec 08, 2023
Pantone’s Color of the Year Is Warm and FuzzyThe peachy hue also marks the program’s 25th anniversary.
AuctionsJul 26, 2021
2 of Sammy Davis Jr.’s Diamond Rings Top Bonhams Jewelry Auction
They both sold for well above their pre-sale estimates in the recent “California Jewels” sale.
This diamond and gold ring once belonging to performer Sammy Davis Jr. sold for $69,063 at Bonhams on July 20, making it the top lot of the auction.
Los Angeles—Jewels with a celebrity provenance always drum up plenty of excitement at auction and pieces once belonging to Sammy Davis Jr. were no exception.
Born in Harlem to Afro-Cuban vaudeville dancers, Davis (1925-1990) spent his life in showbusiness, breaking down myriad racial barriers to become a successful comedian, actor, dancer, and singer.
A part of the “Rat Pack” and a Tony-nominated performer, he also had a flair for style, always seen wearing a suit and donning at least one big gold ring.
So when a few of his pieces recently went up on the block at Bonhams Los Angeles’ July 20 “California Jewels” sale, they were understandably popular with buyers who wanted a piece of the history that helped represent who he was.
Topping the auction was a gold ring centered on an octagonal-shaped modified brilliant-cut diamond weighing 6.28 carats, seen at the top of the article.
Estimated to go for between $30,000-$40,000, the ring sold for much more than its high estimate, garnering $69,063.
Also at the top of the sale, coming in at No. 3, was the 18-karat gold ring seen below, featuring a round-shaped brilliant-cut fancy deep yellow-brown diamond weighing 10.75 carats and marquise diamond accents weighing 1 total carat.
This fancy deep yellow-brown diamond ring once belonging to Sammy Davis Jr. sold for $40,313 at Bonhams L.A.
It also went for well above its pre-sale estimate of between $7,000 and $9,000, selling for more than four times that at $40,313.
Davis’ 18-karat bicolor gold, diamond, and enamel monogram necklace also fell within the top 10 lots, selling for $20,313 compared with a pre-sale high estimate of $8,000.
“Sammy Davis Jr. was an iconic performer with incredible style. He wore his jewelry everywhere, and the brown diamond in particular was one of his favorites, appearing in countless photographs,” said Bonhams Los Angeles Head of Jewelry Emily Waterfall.
“There was palpable excitement during bidding and the outstanding prices achieved by the two rings from his personal collection demonstrate the strong demand for one-of-a-kind jewels with unmatched provenance.”
Coming in at No. 2 in the auction was a Bulgari set, pictured below, featuring a gold and pavé-set diamond link necklace, a bracelet, and a pair of earrings with an estimated total diamond weight of 20 carats that sold for $40,313.
This Bulgari gold and diamond set, sold as one lot, garnered $40,313 at auction.
There was also a multicolor sapphire and diamond brooch that garnered $37,813, compared with a pre-sale estimate of $5,000-$7,000, and a multicolor sapphire and diamond bracelet that sold for $31,563, compared with an estimate of $3,000 to $5,000.
Meanwhile, the jewelry auction also included six pieces from modernist designer Art Smith, known for making jewelry influenced by biomorphism and Surrealism.
Smith (1917–1982) trained at Cooper Union in New York City and sold his jewels at his store in Greenwich Village from 1946 to 1979. He would eventually be featured in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar as well as numerous museum collections.
The pieces featured in the Bonhams auction came from a collector who said her mother became friends with Smith in the late 1940s and bought several pieces at his Greenwich Village store.
This opal bead and gold ring from Art Smith sold within its pre-sale estimate range when it garnered $2,550 at Bonhams’ California Jewels auction.
This unsigned Art Smith sterling silver cuff sold for $1,657.
Of the six items put on the block, only two sold during the event—a gold and opal bead ring and a sterling silver cuff bracelet, both of which can be seen above.
Overall, the California Jewels auction achieved $1.3 million. To see the full results, visit Bonhams.com.
More on Auctions
The Latest
CollectionsDec 08, 2023
Piece of the Week: A ‘Strong & Precious’ Brooch Centered on a sunny heliodor, the “Links” pin was designed by Ukrainian jewelry artist Inesa Kovalova.
MajorsDec 07, 2023
Lashbrook Sues Manly Bands for Allegedly Copying Designs The wedding band company is also accusing its former customer of removing watermarks from Lashbrook images for its own use.
Brought to you by
The Most Important “C” in Diamonds: Confidence!Without the ability to instill confidence within the industry and directly to the consumer, a diamond holds very little value.
Policies & IssuesDec 07, 2023
The G7’s Long-Awaited Statement on Russian Diamonds Is Here It provides a timeline for the implementation of new restrictions, but no details.
Weekly QuizDec 07, 2023
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge with this short test.
MajorsDec 07, 2023
24 Karat Club of New York Welcomes New MembersThe organization has elected 12 new additions.
ColumnistsDec 06, 2023
On Data: How Are Independents Doing So Far This Holiday Season? Sherry Smith breaks down the numbers on jewelry sales in November and reveals the category that “emerged as a standout.”
Brought to you by
If It’s Custom, Make It PlatinumWith holiday proposals right around the corner, encourage your customers to go for platinum when making the big purchase.
GradingDec 06, 2023
GIA Debuts Revamped Graduate Jeweler ProgramBy mixing creative and practical skills, the new course hopes to fill the industry’s bench jeweler gap.
AuctionsDec 06, 2023
Verdura Cuff, Burmese Sapphire Shine at Bonhams Several other colored gemstones joined the pieces in the top 10 list.
FinancialsDec 05, 2023
Signet Jewelers’ Q3 Sales Down 12% The retailer is still expecting a strong holiday season with improving demand for natural diamonds.
CrimeDec 05, 2023
Police Continue to Investigate Murder of Colorado Jeweler Peter Damian Arguello, the owner of Peter Damian Fine Jewelry & Antiques, was shot and killed in an apparent robbery last week.
MajorsDec 05, 2023
Tanishq Continues U.S. Expansion With 2 New StoresThe Indian jewelry giant has opened locations in Houston and Frisco, Texas.
SourcingDec 05, 2023
Grandview Klein Awards Two Scholarships in NamibiaEach student was provided with the full amount of tuition for the Namibia University of Science & Technology.
SourcingDec 04, 2023
David Prager To Leave De Beers in 2024Ryan Perry, who has been with De Beers since 2002, also will be leaving the company next year.
WatchesDec 04, 2023
Chrono24 Debuts the ‘Dow Jones’ for Luxury WatchesThe watch seller’s new index tracks sales data from 14 brands, including Rolex and Patek Philippe.
MajorsDec 04, 2023
David Bouffard to Leave Signet, RJCThe industry veteran will step down from both roles in April 2024.
TrendsDec 04, 2023
Amanda’s Style File: Decadent DecemberTanzanite, turquoise, and zircon are all options for December babies, who sometimes “get the birthday shaft,” Amanda Gizzi writes.
Lab-GrownDec 01, 2023
Lightbox Teams Up With Brand Founded by Former Tiffany ExecThe lab-grown diamond brand also collaborated with the website The Future Rocks on a collection launching today.
FinancialsDec 01, 2023
Movado Lowers Guidance Again After Q3 Sales DipThe company said it is facing a “challenging retail environment” but is prepared for the holiday season.
CollectionsDec 01, 2023
Piece of the Week: Muzo’s Emerald and Argyle Pink Diamond NecklaceIt’s the hero piece of the newest "Green Jewel" collection, a collaborative offering from the two mines.
AuctionsNov 30, 2023
This Pink Diamond Reigned Supreme in Hong KongThe 15.48-carat fancy intense “Pink Supreme” topped Christie’s fall jewelry auction in Asia, while a Patek Philippe led the watch sale.
MajorsNov 30, 2023
Claire’s Hires Former Bath & Body Works Exec as CFO, COOChris Cramer, who also spent time at Gen Z intimates brand Parade, will take on the dual role.
AuctionsNov 30, 2023
Sotheby’s To Auction 133-Carat Yellow DiamondThe stone headlining the upcoming sale could fetch up to $5 million.
IndependentsNov 30, 2023
Frank Adams Rolls Out Kwiat’s ‘Mine to Shine’ ProgramThe retail offering lets customers track their diamond’s journey.
SourcingNov 29, 2023
Largest New Diamond Mine of the Decade Coming Online in Angola The Luele mine is expected to eventually make the country the world’s third-largest diamond producer.
SurveysNov 29, 2023
Holiday Shoppers Broke a Record This Weekend, Says NRFFrom Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, 200.4 million consumers shopped online and in stores.
