At Bonhams’ recent auction featuring jewels from a “distinguished collection,” several pieces shone, including this 8.68-carat emerald and diamond ring, which sold for more than $500,000.
New York—Bonhams New York’s recent auction of a single-owner jewelry collection achieved a total of nearly $5 million, with all but a few lots finding buyers.
The 61-lot sale, “Exceptional Jewels from A Distinguished Collection,” took place Sept. 26. It was 100 percent sold by value and 98 percent sold by lot.
The auction included the sale of several Oscar Heyman jewels.
One of the top lots, an emerald and diamond ring mounted by the American jeweler, sold for $508,500, more than $58,000 per carat.
The ring, pictured at the top of the article, features an 8.68-carat emerald flanked by step-cut trapezoid diamonds. It topped its pre-sale estimate of $250,000-$350,000.
Emily Waterfall, Bonhams director and head of jewelry, Los Angeles, said competition among bidders was fierce, especially for the emerald ring.
She said the ring’s final selling price was a testament to the rarity of the emerald, which Waterfall noted was one of the finest quality stones she’s ever handled.
Another jewel from Oscar Heyman, the gem-set “Birds in Flight” bracelet, sold for $203,700, more than double its highest estimate of $120,000.
The piece depicts tropical birds in flight amid floral sprigs set with rubies, emeralds, sapphires, onyx, and diamonds.
At Bonhams’ recent single-owner collection sale, several Oscar Heyman pieces outperformed their pre-sale estimates, including the “Birds in Flight” bracelet (left) and the “Mondrian” bracelet (right).
Another highlight, an Oscar Heyman diamond and gem-set “Mondrian” bracelet with step-cut sapphires, rubies, diamonds, and brilliant-cut yellow sapphires, also outdid its estimate ($50,000-$80,000), selling for $108,450.
“The single-owner collection was truly exceptional, representing a distinguished collection of colored stone jewels from a family with fabulous taste and a genuine passion for selecting and wearing fine jewelry,” said Waterfall.
“The entire collection was chic, classic, and elegant and we were honored to sell the jewels, delivering strong results.”
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Other highlights of the auction included the sale of two pieces featuring Paraíba tourmaline.
A ring with a cushion-cut Paraíba tourmaline weighing approximately 5.44 carats and surrounded by diamonds achieved $533,900 (about $98,000 per carat) against a pre-sale estimate of $40,000 to $60,000.
This ring featuring a 5.44-carat Paraíba tourmaline of Brazilian origin sold for more than 10 times its low-end estimate.
The ear clips featuring diamonds and Paraíba tourmaline from Brazil
A pair of ear clips, each centering an oval-shaped Paraíba tourmaline set within a surround of round brilliant-cut diamonds, sold for $140,200, more than four times its low-end estimate of $30,000.
A buyer paid more than $350,000 for this emerald and diamond bracelet at Bonhams’ recent New York jewelry auction.
Other standout pieces from the auction include an emerald and diamond bracelet, pictured above, which sold for $356,100 against a high-end estimate of $180,000, as well as two pieces featuring pink sapphires.
A ring featuring a 14.23-carat cushion-cut pink sapphire flanked by half-moon shaped diamonds sold for 10 times its low-end estimate, fetching $305,300.
This ring featuring a 5.44-carat Paraíba tourmaline of Brazilian origin sold for more than 10 times its low-end estimate.
The ear clips featuring diamonds and Paraíba tourmaline from Brazil
A pink sapphire and diamond necklace outdid its lowest estimate by three times, selling for $152,900.
“Bonhams is privileged to have presented such a colorful offering in this single-owner auction. The spectacular collection of Oscar Heyman jewelry showcased the ingenuity of his designs, which celebrated the natural beauty of these vivid colored gemstones in timeless pieces,” said Caroline Morrissey, Bonhams director and head of jewelry, New York.
“It is a rare honor to bring a collection that truly had everything to the auction block—impressive diamonds, vibrant colored gemstones, and classic jewelry designs. We are absolutely delighted that the results achieved figures above the pre-sale estimates and reflected the quality of exceptional pieces that were on offer.”
