CollectionsApr 08, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30 Years By Asking a QuestionThe “What’s Your Signature?” campaign invites women to think about how they see themselves.
AuctionsApr 28, 2016
Royal Manga Malai Necklace Sells for $47K at Bonhams
The gold necklace set with rubies, emeralds and diamonds went for well below its pre-sale estimate of $73,000 to $90,000.
This gold manga malai necklace set with rubies, emeralds and diamonds sold for well below its pre-sale estimate at Bonhams last week, garnering $46,500 when it was expected to sell for $73,000 to $90,000.
London--A manga malai necklace with royal provenance sold for approximately $46,500 at Bonhams last week, falling well below its pre-sale estimate.
The piece was featured as part of the auction house’s Islamic and Indian Art sale held April 19, offering a number of jewels that belonged to an Indian royal family.
The leading lot of the pieces was the manga malai necklace from the 19th century, composed of linked mango-shaped elements--the mango is regarded as a symbol of love and fertility in southern Indian--and set with rubies and diamonds.
It was expected to sell for between $73,000 and $90,000.
Another piece in the set, a rare belt buckle set with emeralds and diamonds on the front and intricate enamel floral details on the back, sold within its pre-sale range when it garnered about $30,000.
A delicate armband featuring a central octagonal diamond flanked by diamond-set motifs and a back side that was decorated with enamel sold for approximately $7,300, while a gem-set enameled jade “haldili” pendant bearing a calligraphic script from the Quran garnered approximately $6,400.
The gem-set enameled dagger that was expected to sell for between $44,000 and $73,000, meanwhile, didn’t find a buyer at the auction. The dagger has a hilt decorated with gold, rubies and diamonds and is of a type rarely produced in Mughal India, according to Bonhams.
Click through to see the four pieces from an Indian royal family and what they sold for at Bonhams.
This 19th century diamond-set enameled armband (bazuband) featuring a central octagonal-shaped diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds in the form of a stylized flower head went for $7,300.
This 19th century emerald and diamond-set enameled belt buckle from north India garnered about $30,000 at Bonhams.
This gem-set enameled jade pendant from 19th century India, composed of a cartouche form jade haldili (amulet) set in gold and bearing an engraved inscription in nasta’liq (a calligraphic script) from the Quran sold for $6,400.
Manga malai necklaces are unique to south India and traditionally were worn for special occasions, such as weddings, and also by devadasis (temple dancers.) This circa 19th century example featuring diamonds, rubies and emeralds set in gold from the Tamil Nadu area of south India sold for approximately $46,500.
The Latest
SourcingApr 08, 2026
Sale of 42-Carat Blue Diamond Gives Petra a Boost in Q3The big diamond’s sale added to the company’s revenue though the market remains “challenging” overall, particularly for smaller goods.
Events & AwardsApr 08, 2026
AGS Confluence Returns with AI, Sustainability SessionsRob Bates of The Jewelry Wire will also moderate a panel on the state of the jewelry industry during the virtual event.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
Events & AwardsApr 08, 2026
TJS to Honor 2 Longtime Former Stuller EmployeesThe Jewelry Symposium will honor two industry veterans with lifetime achievement awards at its upcoming May event.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsApr 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: April’s Brilliant Birthstone With their durability, brilliance, and beauty, diamonds are the perfect stone for everyday birthstone jewelry.
MajorsApr 07, 2026
QVC Group’s Latest Filing Calls Its Future Into QuestionThe retailer failed to file its annual report on time and said it may issue a going concern warning.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
ColumnistsApr 07, 2026
Peter Smith: A Tip to the Post Office on Workplace CultureSmith recounts a recent trip to the post office that included an uncomfortable, embarrassing, and public exchange between two employees.
GradingApr 07, 2026
GIA CFO David Tearle to Retire in June John Cowley, who has more than 30 years of experience, is succeeding Tearle as the lab’s chief financial officer.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Nerd Out Over Gemology Geek’s First Jewelry CollectionFounder Erica Silverglide has designed 35 colorful pieces set with fluorescing gemstones for the brand's first finished jewelry offering.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Ukrainian Jewelers Highlighted In New Book“Ukrainian Jewelry | Contemporary Jewelry and Art Jewelry from Ukraine” features 33 contemporary Ukrainian designers and studios.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Fope’s New Jewelry Debuts Are Golden“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.
MajorsApr 06, 2026
Kecia Caffie, Corinne Bentzen No Longer With Signet JewelersSignet confirmed that Caffie, president of Zales and Banter, and Bentzen, who headed Blue Nile, have left the company.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Historian Tanzy Ward Pens Book on Black Victorians’ JewelryThe antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.
SourcingApr 06, 2026
Gemfields Reports $51M Loss in 2025Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
