This brooch, set with a Burmese sapphire surrounded by diamonds, was a star of the recent fine jewelry auction at U.K.-based Anderson & Garland Auctioneers.
Newcastle, U.K.—A Victorian brooch set with a Burmese sapphire stole the show at an Anderson & Garland Auctioneers sale held Wednesday in Newcastle, England.
At the center of the brooch is a 25-carat cabochon Burmese sapphire, which displays the asterism effect. It is surrounded by 12 old-cut diamonds, weighing a total of 14.40 carats, and is set in a silver and yellow gold collet setting.
The sapphire and diamond brooch, seen here pinned to a lapel
The brooch was housed in its original box from storied London jeweler Wartski.
It sold for £78,000 ($101,200), at the high end of its estimate of £60,000 to £80,000 ($78,500 to $104,700).
It wasn’t the only sapphire brooch to become an auction highlight.
A 19th-century sapphire and diamond butterfly brooch sold for £10,400 ($13,600), exceeding its estimate of £6,000 to £7,000 ($7,800 to $9,200)
This 19th-century butterfly brooch is set with rose-cut diamonds and graduated facet-cut sapphires.
The piece is a “stunning example of 19th-century craftsmanship,” said the auction house.
It is set with rose-cut diamonds and graduated facet-cut sapphires along its abdomen, thorax, and wings, with emerald cabochon eyes. The brooch is silver-mounted yellow gold.
Another butterfly brooch also made its way to the auction block.
This late nineteenth-century diamond butterfly brooch exceeded pre-sale estimates at a recent Anderson & Garland Auctioneers sale, selling for £7,540 ($9,900).
A late 19th-century diamond butterfly brooch, set with old mine-cut diamonds and ruby cabochon eyes in a silver-fronted yellow gold mount, surpassed pre-sale estimates.
It sold for £7,540 ($9,900), above its estimate of £5,000 to £6,000 ($6,500 to $7,800).
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Also up for sale was “a Belle Époque masterpiece.” The pink topaz and diamond pendant-brooch features an openwork design.
This Belle Époque piece is both a pendant and a brooch.
The central oval mixed-cut pink topaz is surrounded by garlands of rose-cut diamonds, suspended from a fetter-link chain set with a solitaire diamond, with a pear-shaped pink topaz at the bottom of the pendant.
It sold for £3,250 ($4,300), far exceeding its estimate of £400 and £600 ($520 to $780) after receiving “remarkable interest” from buyers.
Another piece that exceeded expectations was a Victorian Egyptian Revival choker necklace.
A Victorian Egyptian Revival choker necklace set with turquoise cabochons and diamonds
Featuring wing and cobra designs, the 18-karat yellow gold piece is set with turquoise cabochons and old-cut diamonds.
It sold for £6,110 ($8,000), surpassing its estimate of £1,500 to £2,000 ($2,000 to $2,600).
Founded in 1840, Anderson & Garland Auctioneers is one of the largest independent auction houses in the U.K.
