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AuctionsDec 11, 2013
Diamonds highlight Bonhams sale
A modified pear brilliant-cut type IIa diamond weighing 17.82 carats sold for $2.6 million at Bonhams Wednesday, more than double its pre-sale estimate.
Diamonds comprised the top lots of Bonhams Fine Jewelry sale, highlighted by this 17.82-carat modified pear brilliant-cut diamond, which sold for more than $2 million.
New York--A modified pear brilliant-cut type IIa diamond weighing 17.82 carats sold for $2.6 million at Bonhams Wednesday, more than double its pre-sale estimate.
“Less than 2 percent of the world’s diamonds are type IIa, meaning they contain little, if any, nitrogen. They are considered the most chemically pure of all diamonds, and are renowned for their limpid appearance,” said Susan Abeles, head of U.S. jewelry at Bonhams.
Overall, Bonhams Fine Jewelry sale in New York totaled $8.9 million and saw hundreds of bidders, with “notable interest coming from East Asia, including Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Korea,” Bonhams said.
The auction sold 88 percent by lot and 82 percent by value.
Colored diamonds sold Wednesday included a 1.12-carat pear-shaped, natural fancy intense blue diamond ring that garnered $365,000, tripling its pre-sale estimate. A 2.01-carat fancy brownish-pink diamond ring sold for $155,000.
Diamond solitaire rings also were in demand. A 5.27-carat, internally flawless E color diamond solitaire ring sold for $293,000 while a 5.05-carat ring by Harry Winston brought $209,000.
Full results from the Fine Jewelry sale can be found on the Bonhams website.
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