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.
AuctionsAug 23, 2017
4-Carat Fancy Blue Diamond to Top Bonhams London’s Sale
The stone, headlining the Fine Jewellery sale Sept. 20, could sell for as much as $1.9 million.
This 4-carat pear-shaped fancy intense blue diamond will be the top lot at Bonhams London’s upcoming Fine Jewellery sale.
London--The highlight of Bonhams London’s upcoming fine jewelry sale will be a fancy intense blue diamond weighing 4.03 carats.
Pink and blue diamonds have been dominating the auction scene of late, with a number of them setting auction records, including The CTF Pink and the Oppenheimer Blue.
In fact, colored diamonds have increased in value, on average, by 100 percent over the past decade, with blue stones showing the strongest growth over the past 12 months at 5.5 percent, according to the Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index based on data from the Fancy Color Research Foundation.
When the pear-shaped blue diamond hits the auction block at Bonhams Sept. 20 after having been in a private collection in the U.K. for the past three decades, it is expected to sell for between $1.5 million and $1.9 million.
Meanwhile, the sale will feature 188 additional lots, including a selection of white and colored diamonds, sapphires from Kashmir, Burma and Sri Lanka, signed jewelry from Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels and the private collection of Anglo-Italian designer Andrew Grima, the largest private collection of jewelry from the designer ever to go to auction.
The No. 2 lot of the sale is a fancy colored diamond brooch featuring a 4.83-carat square step-cut fancy gray-blue diamond with fancy dark brown-greenish yellow step-cut diamonds on either side--weighing 2.51 carats and 2.38 carats, and a suspended pear-shaped fancy pink diamond drop weighing 1.90 carats. It could garner between $834,000 and $1.1 million.
Following this piece is a Kashmir sapphire single-stone ring of 9.61 carats. The octagonal step-cut sapphire has no indications of heating, Bonhams said, and is estimated to sell for between $642,000 and $899,000.
This mid-20th century brooch featuring fancy colored diamonds is estimated to sell for as much as $1.1 million.
Another signed Cartier piece in the sale: these Art Deco diamond clip brooches circa 1935, estimated at between $51,300 and $77,000
This Cartier emerald and diamond bracelet dates from the 1960s and is expected to sell in the range of $64,200 to $89,900 next month.
This old-cut marquise diamond weighing 4.61 carats is D in color, VVS2 clarity and potentially flawless. It is expected to sell for as much as $128,400 next month.
A Kashmir sapphire ring, weighing 9.61 carats, expected to sell for between $642,000 and $899,000
Also among the top lots will be a piece perfect for old-cut diamond lovers: A 4.61 carat old marquise-cut type IIb diamond single-stone ring that could sell for between $102,700 and $128,400.
Bonhams will also be auctioning a number of signed pieces from Cartier as part of its sale.
This includes a pair of Art Deco diamond clip brooches circa 1935, estimated at between $51,300 and $77,000, and, adding more color to the sale, an emerald and diamond bracelet by Cartier. It features a series of alternating step- and octagonal-cut emeralds, accented on both sides by brilliant-cut diamonds, and has a pre-sale estimate of $64,200 to $89,900.
Full details of the lots to be auctioned at Bonhams London September Fine Jewellery sale will be put
online at the end of this month.
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.
