AuctionsMar 06, 2023
Pharrell Williams Brings Lorraine Schwartz Jewelry to Auction AuctionsMar 07, 2023
Palm Springs Philanthropist’s Estate Tops Bonhams' ‘California Jewels’ Sale
Peggy Cravens’ estate sold 100 percent by lot.
This 6.09-carat marquise-shaped diamond from the estate of Peggy Cravens was the top lot at Bonhams’ “California Jewels” sale held last month.
Los Angeles—The estate of late philanthropist Peggy Cravens (1931-2022) proved to be a hit at Bonhams’ “California Jewels” sale last month.
All twenty jewels from Craven’s collection sold, with the $405,000 proceeds benefitting her favorite charities and cultural institutions, most of which are concentrated in Palm Springs, California.
The top lot was Craven’s ring featuring a Type IIa, 6.09-carat, E-color, VVS2 clarity, marquise-shaped diamond set in 18-karat white gold. Expected to earn between $140,000 and $200,000, it sold for $240,000.
Bonhams Los Angeles Director of Jewelry Emily Waterfall said the sale marked, “a dazzling start to the year for our Los Angeles jewelry sales. We are particularly thrilled to have achieved such wonderful results for diamond pieces, and for the exceptional private collection of philanthropist Peggy Cravens.”
Other highlights included the above Cartier platinum and diamond dress clip, circa 1929. The platinum piece features a shield-shaped diamond, fancy-shaped baguette diamonds, round diamonds, and single-cut diamonds.
The diamonds range from D-color to F-color and VS-SI clarity. They total 10.35 carats. The dress clip sold for $95,000, within its pre-sale range.
The above platinum and 5.82-carat emerald-cut diamond ring with tapered baguette diamond side stones also sold for $95,000, above its $50,000-$70,000 estimate.
The above platinum and graduated baguette diamond line necklace featuring 44.95 total carats of diamonds exceeded its $50,000-$70,000 pre-sale estimate, selling for $91,000.
The platinum and three-stone diamond ring above with 6.05 total carats sold for $86,000, well above its $35,000-$55,000 estimate.
The above platinum and diamond bracelet from the Peggy Cravens estate featuring approximately 29.6 carats of diamonds trounced its $22,000-$28,000 pre-sale estimate when it sold for $53,000.
Signed jewels had an impressive showing at California Jewels, with the above “Panthère de Cartier” bracelet selling for $38,000 compared to its $6,000-$8,000 pre-sale range.
The Verdura 18-karat gold and gem-set wood bracelet seen above sold for $23,000, just above its pre-sale estimate.
The Angela Cumming for Tiffany & Co. bracelet above, circa 1982, earned $20,000, above its $8,000-$12,000 pre-sale range.
The above David Webb platinum, 18-karat gold, aquamarine, and diamond bracelet also beat its pre-sale estimate ($8,000-$12,000), selling for $15,000.
In total, California Jewels earned $2.3 million, selling 91 percent by lot and 97 percent by value.
Full sale results are available online.
Related stories will be right here …
All twenty jewels from Craven’s collection sold, with the $405,000 proceeds benefitting her favorite charities and cultural institutions, most of which are concentrated in Palm Springs, California.
The top lot was Craven’s ring featuring a Type IIa, 6.09-carat, E-color, VVS2 clarity, marquise-shaped diamond set in 18-karat white gold. Expected to earn between $140,000 and $200,000, it sold for $240,000.
Bonhams Los Angeles Director of Jewelry Emily Waterfall said the sale marked, “a dazzling start to the year for our Los Angeles jewelry sales. We are particularly thrilled to have achieved such wonderful results for diamond pieces, and for the exceptional private collection of philanthropist Peggy Cravens.”
Other highlights included the above Cartier platinum and diamond dress clip, circa 1929. The platinum piece features a shield-shaped diamond, fancy-shaped baguette diamonds, round diamonds, and single-cut diamonds.
The diamonds range from D-color to F-color and VS-SI clarity. They total 10.35 carats. The dress clip sold for $95,000, within its pre-sale range.
The above platinum and 5.82-carat emerald-cut diamond ring with tapered baguette diamond side stones also sold for $95,000, above its $50,000-$70,000 estimate.
The above platinum and graduated baguette diamond line necklace featuring 44.95 total carats of diamonds exceeded its $50,000-$70,000 pre-sale estimate, selling for $91,000.
The platinum and three-stone diamond ring above with 6.05 total carats sold for $86,000, well above its $35,000-$55,000 estimate.
The above platinum and diamond bracelet from the Peggy Cravens estate featuring approximately 29.6 carats of diamonds trounced its $22,000-$28,000 pre-sale estimate when it sold for $53,000.
Signed jewels had an impressive showing at California Jewels, with the above “Panthère de Cartier” bracelet selling for $38,000 compared to its $6,000-$8,000 pre-sale range.
The Verdura 18-karat gold and gem-set wood bracelet seen above sold for $23,000, just above its pre-sale estimate.
The Angela Cumming for Tiffany & Co. bracelet above, circa 1982, earned $20,000, above its $8,000-$12,000 pre-sale range.
The above David Webb platinum, 18-karat gold, aquamarine, and diamond bracelet also beat its pre-sale estimate ($8,000-$12,000), selling for $15,000.
In total, California Jewels earned $2.3 million, selling 91 percent by lot and 97 percent by value.
Full sale results are available online.
More on Auctions
The Latest
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America Aligns New Mission to Create Meaningful Impact for MembersFrom educational programs, advocacy, and recent MJSA affiliation, Jewelers of America drives progress that elevates businesses of all sizes.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.
Weekly QuizNov 06, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New PresidentCourtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
De Beers’ Production, Sales Increase in Q3 De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Modest Q3 Sales Growth Amid ‘Weak’ Consumer Sentiment The company focused on marketing in the third quarter and introduced two new charm collections, “Pandora Talisman” and “Pandora Minis.”
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Climb 10%The jewelry retailer raised its full-year guidance, with CFO Jeff Kuo describing the company as “very well positioned” for the holidays.
Policies & IssuesNov 04, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case WednesdayAhead of the hearing, two industry organizations co-signed an amicus brief urging the court to declare Trump’s tariffs unlawful.
MajorsNov 04, 2025
Danny Clark to Become Stuller CEO, Succeeding Matt StullerStuller COO Belit Myers will take on the additional role of president, with all changes effective at the start of 2026.
ColumnistsNov 04, 2025
Peter Smith: What Do Birds Have to Do With the Price of Gold? Smith cautions retailers against expending too much energy on things they can’t control, like the rising price of gold.
TrendsNov 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Fall Colors for November BirthdaysCitrine and topaz are birthstones fit for fall as the leaves change color and the holiday season approaches.
IndependentsNov 04, 2025
Weston Jewelers Heads to Fort LauderdaleThe family-owned jeweler will open its fourth store in Florida in late 2027.
CrimeNov 03, 2025
Men Dressed as Construction Workers Burglarize Jeweler’s Home The NYPD is looking for three men who stole a safe and jewelry valued at $3.2 million from the home of a jeweler in Jamaica Hills, Queens.
MajorsNov 03, 2025
Matthew Rosenheim Takes Over as JA Board ChairThe trade organization also announced its executive committee and five new directors.
CollectionsNov 03, 2025
Muse’s ‘Have a Heart’ Collab Returns, Now With DDGThe “Have a Heart x Diamonds Do Good” collection is championed by model and humanitarian Flaviana Matata and will benefit her foundation.
TrendsOct 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Spinner Fit for ‘Frankenstein’This “Mother Father” spinner necklace from Heavenly Vices Fine Jewelry draws inspiration from Victorian Era jewelry.
CrimeOct 31, 2025
5 More Arrested in Louvre Heist, Jewelry Still Missing The suspects were rounded up in Paris and its suburbs on Wednesday night, but none of the stolen jewels were recovered with them.
Recorded WebinarsOct 31, 2025
Watch: How to Master Google Reviews for Your BusinessExperts share top tips on how to encourage positive reviews and handle negative feedback.
Supplier BulletinOct 30, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
CrimeOct 30, 2025
29-Year-Old Man Charged in Multiple Seattle-Area Smash and Grabs The suspect faces charges in the August robbery of Menashe & Sons Jewelers and is accused of committing smash and grabs at two pawn shops.
Lab-GrownOct 30, 2025
Alison Lou’s New Collection Uses Lab-Grown Diamonds and ResinThe “Lumière Fine” collection was born from designer Alison Chemla’s interest in the transformative power of light.
TrendsOct 30, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Haunted HalloweenShow off your spooky side with these 12 festive jewels.
