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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
CrimeOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
Events & AwardsOct 06, 2026
JIS Fall Returns to MiamiThe 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner AuctionThese jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
