Created by JA and DCA, the fund is collecting money for jewelry businesses damaged by the wildfires in Los Angeles County.
Yellow Cullinan Diamonds Fetch $776K at Bonhams
The five fancy vivid yellow stones hailing from the well-known diamond family exceeded their pre-sale estimates.
London--A bidding war for five yellow diamonds with a special provenance led them to greatly exceed their pre-sale estimates at the Bonhams London Fine Jewelry sale Thursday.
A fancy colored diamond and white diamond brooch held three of the five yellow diamonds that once belonged to the Cullinan family. The three step-cut fancy vivid yellow diamonds weighing 5.29, 3.11 and 2.37 carats sold for about $608,100 (based on current exchange rates) to an online buyer, exceeding their pre-sale estimate of about $268,600 to $402,900.
The other two fancy vivid yellows, brilliant cuts weighing 2.08 and 1.93 carats, were set in a pair of ear clips and accented with white diamonds. Originally expected to go for between $67,200 and $107,500, they sold for about $167,900.
“The diamonds were acquired in 1940 during a train journey when the present owner’s father-in-law, R.V. Cullinan, son of the famous South African diamond magnate Sir Thomas Cullinan, asked his friend General Pierre De Villiers, a director of De Beers, to buy him some diamonds on his next visit to Kimberley,” said Jean Ghika, Bonhams Director of Jewellery for the United Kingdom and Europe.
“On the train back from the De Beers mine at Kimberley, Sir Ernest Oppenheimer asked General De Villiers, ‘What have you got this time?’ The General retrieved a packet from his pocket and proudly showed Sir Ernest, who replied, ‘I can do better than that,’ and showed the general a set of yellow diamonds. A deal was struck. The diamonds were then purchased by the general, who kept half, and the other half were given to R.V. Cullinan.”
This was the first time the colored diamonds had appeared at auction.
Other top lots at the sale included a single-strand natural gray pearl necklace, circa 1915, which sold for more than five time its pre-sale estimate when it garnered about $495,300.
Bonhams also noted that signed jewelry sales remain strong among collectors.
A Harry Winston ring from 1968 featuring a 7.73-carat, F color, VVS1 marquise-cut diamond went for $318,000 against its estimate of $241,800 to $335,800. Bonhams said part of the proceeds of the sale of this lot would be donated to the Women’s Cancer Center at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, Italy.
Meanwhile, a signed Cartier pair of earrings featuring two fancy intense purplish pink cushion-shaped diamonds, each weighing 1.01 carats, with cultured
The Latest
Several jewelry designers are lending a helping hand to charities in Los Angeles amid the raging wildfires.
Adrien Brody received his first Golden Globe while wearing the “Mozi” brooch, which depicts a spill of traditional Chinese calligraphy ink.
A Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
The pair will work together to support independent retailers in India with marketing assets, training materials, and other tools.
Officers in Champlain, New York valued the jewels, if genuine, at nearly $30,000.
The “Moonlight Rhapsody” collection is overflowing with gemstones, from raw opal to morganite and spessartite.
‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
The seminar series covers topics from market trends and colored stone terminology to working with museums and growing an Instagram profile.
The artist collaborated with industry creatives on the project, which features five fictional stories and five corresponding paintings.
Nine jewelers donated jewels for a raffle to support the Children’s Hospital Foundation at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Miss Piggy shared her thoughts on being fabulous, the importance of accessories, and how to be your own cheerleader.
“Promise by Effy” includes fashion jewelry and engagement rings.
The Texas-based jeweler is closing all three locations.
Zendaya’s ring, featuring an east-west set elongated cushion-cut diamond, is said to be from British designer Jessica McCormack.
Micro-influencers, customer reviews, and shoppable videos are going to be key to getting customers’ attention, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Garnet is comprised of a group of minerals, giving those with a birthday in January options when it comes to their birthstone.
The annual award, created in memory of business coach William “Wag” Wagner, went to a retailer in Fairfax, Virginia.
Retailers and vendors can ask customers to make a donation by rounding up to the next dollar at checkout.
The wholesaler is partnering with Australian brand Cheal Opal on a new offering of calibrated stones.
From Zendaya to Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña, many stars at the 82nd Golden Globes were wearing white gold or platinum jewelry.
Described by JSA as being “habitual offenders,” Vasile Sava and Onita Rostas have federal warrants out for their arrest in Kansas.
The Barcelona-based brand’s flagship boutique is located in New York City’s West Village neighborhood.
A solar-powered loose diamond holder rotates the stones to show off how they catch the light.
Newton owned and operated Newton’s Jewelers in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and is remembered for being positive, honest, and loving.
“Synergy & Symbiosis” is open now through late April at the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art in Oak Brook, Illinois.
Begin 2025 with a butterfly intaglio symbolizing change and transformation.