TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
AuctionsJul 27, 2017
Bonhams to Auction Collection of Andrew Grima Jewels
Featuring 55 pieces, it is the largest private collection of jewelry from the renowned designer ever to appear at auction, Bonhams said.
This bib necklace from Andrew Grima features triangular-cut citrines and smaller similarly cut diamonds set in yellow gold. It could sell for as much as $26,100 in September.
London--This fall, Bonhams is putting what it says is the largest private collection of jewelry from renowned designer Andrew Grima up on the auction block.
The auction house will offer 55 pieces of Grima jewelry as part of its Fine Jewellery sale on Sept. 20 in London. The current owner of the collection has chosen to remain anonymous.
Anglo-Italian jeweler Andrew Grima was regarded as one of the 20th century’s most daring and imaginative designers.
Unlike many of his contemporaries, Grima didn’t learn his trade at art school; he was entirely self-taught and never trained at the jeweler’s bench. He created bold and unusual jewels that focused on aesthetic rather than just the carat weight of diamonds and gems.
By the late 1960s, Grima had become a favorite with the British royal family and the society jeweler of the time, winning many famous clients as well as awards and honors. He is the only jeweler to have been awarded the Duke of Edinburgh Prize for Elegant Design, and his service to industry was recognized with The Queen’s Award for Export.
He also won the De Beers Diamonds International Award a record 12 times and, in 1970, was granted a Royal Warrant from HM The Queen.
Since his death in 2007, his wife, Jojo, and daughter Francesca have continued to operate the family business.
Part of the “Rock Revival” collection, these earrings from 1971 are each set with hexagonal amethyst crystals in a border of scattered matte finish gold triangles and a single brilliant-cut diamond in 18-karat yellow gold. They could garner as much as $10,400 in September.
This pendant from 1973 was part of the “Sticks and Stones” collection. It is comprised of a large green dioptase crystal set within a border of overlapping gold squares of matte and textured finish and eight square-cut diamonds, mounted in 18-karat yellow gold ($15,700 and $23,500).
This ring made in 1995 is centered on a cushion-shaped amethyst surrounded by “stalks” of varying heights inset with step-cut emeralds and square-cut diamonds with additional brilliant-cut diamond details on the shank, all mounted in 18-karat yellow gold. It has a pre-sale estimate of $5,200 to $7,800.
This textured wire bangle created in 1998 features a large rose-cut citrine and brilliant-cut diamond detailing. It could sell for $15,700 to $23,500.
This gold and diamond necklace, circa 1966, is one of the earliest pieces from Grima in the sale ($5,200 to $7,800). His engineering background helped him develop the unique way of creating jewelry using textured wire, which is still known as his signature design. This particular piece also has wires and hidden hinges for flexibility.
This circa 1972 gold pendant is set with a large, irregular piece of boulder opal that has been realized as a mountain landscape, with textured gold ridges and scattered brilliant-cut diamond “snow” (estimated to sell for $26,100 to $39,200). Opals were one of Grima’s favorite stones.
The “Greenland” gold watch bangle, which was No. 15 in the “About Time” collection and created in 1970, has an irregularly shaped pink tourmaline “glass” as its face. It’s expected to sell in the range of $26,100 to $39,200.
The sale will include some of Grima’s earliest pieces made in the 1960s in London, a selection from his heyday in the 1970s, some from the ‘90s, and an assortment made just before his death a decade ago.
Highlights include pieces from his “About Time” watch collection for Omega--an innovative collections of watches that used gemstones as the watch “glass”--as well as works from the “Rock Revival” collection that incorporated large, uncut and unusual gemstone crystals.
A number of the lots featured in the upcoming sale were on display at Grima’s retrospective exhibition held on his 70th birthday in 1991 at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London.
“Andrew Grima’s work is distinct in terms of its design, quality and originality,” said Emily Barber, department director of the jewelry division at Bonhams. “He was essentially an artist whose medium happened to be jewelry. His designs capture the spirit of each era in which he worked yet are still immensely wearable and contemporary today. Each lot in this sale reveals the diversity and creativity of his work.”
Full details of the lots featured in
the September Fine Jewellery sale will be available at the end of August.
More on Auctions
The Latest
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
Weekly QuizJun 26, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.
CollectionsJun 26, 2025
Jam Out With Sorellina’s Jimi Hendrix-Inspired JewelsThe “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.
Events & AwardsJun 26, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Is Looking for Speakers for 2026 EventThe event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.
IndependentsJun 25, 2025
Marissa Collections Opens in Nantucket as Legal Fight ContinuesThe Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef JewelryAgents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus PerformersThe designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund RecipientsThe trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.
SourcingJun 25, 2025
2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for EntriesThe organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.
EditorsJun 24, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 2Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local RetailerLori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.
WatchesJun 24, 2025
Citizen’s New ‘Fantastic Four’ Watch Is Literally Super The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.
MajorsJun 24, 2025
Tacori, QVC to Launch Exclusive Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CollectionThe “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.
GradingJun 23, 2025
GIA Names New President and CEO Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.
SourcingJun 23, 2025
Diamond Producers, Organizations to Kick in Money to Promote Natural DiamondsSignatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Celebrate 6 Jewelry DesignersThe winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
