The Bonhams & Goodman auction saleroom in Sydney was a hive of activity on April 6th for the first Fine Jewellery auction of 2009. The 680 lot sale, which included an Affordable Jewellery auction in the afternoon followed by Fine Jewellery in the evening, featured a beautiful array of fine diamond and precious stones.
As well as the packed saleroom, over 200 individual buyers from around the world left telephone or absentee bids as they were unable to attend the sale. A further 300 people crowded the Double Bay auction house. The nationwide and international interest in this auction was exceptional.
Auctioneer and CEO at Bonhams & Goodman, Tim Goodman said “In my 38 year career I have never taken a sale with so many absentee and telephone bids. The huge crowd which gathered in the saleroom was highly enthusiastic, reminiscent of the recent boom times. It is clear that more and more private customers are investing in precious objects which are likely to hold or go up in value, rather than traditional cash deposits in banks which currently earn an unprecedented low interest.”
The highlights of the auction were a 5.02ct solitaire diamond ring which sold for $132,000, against it’s pre-sale estimate of $90,000 – $120,000, and the cover lot, a superb 25.5ct diamond necklace which sold for $126,000.
The sales made a combined total of $1.2million including Buyer’s Premium. This is one of the highest results achieved at any jewellery auction in Australian history. The highest result was the Bonhams & Goodman Fine Jewellery auction conducted in December last year when the gross sales were $2.2million including Buyer’s Premium.
www.bonhamsandgoodman.com.au