Bonhams & Butterfields will bring diamond jewelry to auction in its second 2010 Salon Jewelry & Watches sale – a three-city simulcast auction on June 16, 2010. Bidders can participate from the San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York City auction galleries for necklaces, rings, bracelets, brooches, watches, earrings and cufflinks.
The June Salon Jewelry sale features diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds set in gold and platinum by noted makers such as Tiffany & Co., Buccellati, Cartier and Bulgari — with several lots of Art Deco and antique pieces. The interesting variety of pieces stems from European collections, from East Coast US consignors such as the Estate of June Bayle Cohen of Pittsburg and Boca Raton, and from estates and families in California. More than 430-lots will be offered, most with estimates between $600 and $6,000.
Highlights include a round brilliant-cut diamond (appx 1.55cts) and 14k gold ring (est. $4,500-6,500); a pair of diamond and 18k gold clip-earrings by Cartier, Paris (est. $4/6,000); a sapphire bracelet with more than 23-carats of sapphires mounted in platinum (est. $4/6,000) and a porcelain, jade, pink stone and 18k gold bangle by Bulgari which could bring as much as $6,000. A most desirable a one-carat round brilliant-cut diamond and platinum ring is estimated at $4/6,000.
Whimsical and wonderful brooches include: a scarecrow in gold playing a violin; a pair of monkeys; a Tiffany mouse in gold with rubies; a blackamoor brooch signed Nardi; a ruby, diamond and gem-set parrot brooch; an elephant; and a diamond and ruby silver-topped gold stork brooch (estimates between $500 and $2,000).
A circa 1940s retro ruby, diamond and 14k gold brooch is signed Tiffany & Co. and could bring as much as $2,500 while a circa 1930 Art Deco diamond and black onyx brooch could bring as much as $1,500. A diamond and platinum bow brooch is expected to bring $3/5,000.
The collection of pearls includes a cultured pearl four-strand necklace estimated $2,500 to $3,500. The same estimate is in place for a South Sea cultured pearl and diamond ring. Pearl earrings and necklaces on offer include a gem-set multi-strand pearl necklace signed Seaman Schepps (est. $2/3,000) and a cultured pearl, diamond and emerald bracelet estimated at $800-$1,200.
Offers from the watch collections include diamond and gold timekeepers by Longines, Hamilton, Cartier, Chopard and Rolex, among others. A stainless steel reverso wristwatch by Cartier is expected to bring $2/4,000. Collectors will vie for an 18k gold dual time bracelet wristwatch by Piaget (est. $3/5,000), while two different Bulari tubogas bracelet watches could each sell for as much as $2,500. A stainless steel chronograph calendar bracelet watch by Hublotis estimated at $2/4,000.
The sale’s illustrated catalog is online for review and purchase at www.bonhams.com/us. Remaining preview dates include the LA exhibition on June 4-6 and the NYC preview June 12th through sale day on the 16th. For more sale information and collector tips, please see www.bonhams.com/USA/jewellery.