Bonhams October 18th auction of Fine Jewelry featured Art Deco signed pieces from private collections from across the United States. Collectors, members of the trade and jewelry aficionados assembled for the 3-City simulcast sale, placing bids in the New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles salesrooms, as well as via telephone during the spirited auction.

Highlighting the sale was a selection of large diamonds including a diamond solitaire weighing 10.02ct., selling within estimate for $120,000, while an 11.40ct. round brilliant-cut diamond sold for $115,000 against an estimate of $50/70,000. A pear-shaped diamond weighing 8.60ct. sold for $102,000, more than double its estimate, and an emerald-cut diamond solitaire weighing 5.08ct. garnered much attention. The ring sold for $69,000 against an estimate of $45/55,000.

Signed jewelry was also very attractive to bidders, a diamond and 18k gold suite by Van Cleef & Arpels features a European-cut 7.50ct. diamond centering the necklace, with pavé-set diamond panels along the 17-inch necklace, the 7-inch bracelet and the pair of earrings. The suite brought an above-estimate $102,000 while a rare circa 1972 Aldo Cipullo necklace designed with tiger’s eye links and 18k gold plaques sold for $24,000, against an estimate of $15/20,000.

Highlights from a private Florida estate were prominently featured. An Art Deco and diamond bracelet estimated at $30,000 to $50,000 sold for $76,800 while a 1930s ruby and diamond bracelet sold for $48,000 (its estimate: $20/30,000). Three diamond tiaras were the objects of several bidders’ eyes, the lovely signed pieces doubling and tripling their auction estimates. An antique diamond garnet tiara sold for $20,400 and a lovely belle époque diamond tiara by Bailey, Banks and Biddle brought $21,600.

According to Virginia Salem, Director New York Jewelry, “The fine jewelry market is extremely strong, including sustained interest in various time periods — new and antique jewelry, and of course, with larger diamonds illustrating the demand in the world market. With established interest and expanding desire, it is an extremely good time to sell jewelry, particularly if one has been considering it over the last few years.”

Sales of Fine Jewelry will continue at Bonhams New York on December 17, 2007. The winter auction is comprised of nearly 200-lots and highlighted by an extremely desirable French diamond and platinum rivière necklace which features 41 diamonds of varying weights (see December’s press release at www.bonhams.com/press).

Fine Jewelry sale catalogs are accessible online in the weeks preceding auction previews. Past sales catalogs, including prices realized reports, can be reviewed at www.bonhams.com/us.

Posted: 11|26|07 at 11:30 pm. Filed under: Press Release.