A spectacular oval-cut unheated Burmese ruby and marquise-cut diamond ring, circa 1980 weighing 5.60 carats, stole the show at the Bonhams London Jewels sale at New Bond Street on 26 April, surpassing its top estimate by over five times to achieve £138,900.
Ruby and diamond ring, achieved £138,900. Picture courtesy of Bonhams.
The 239-lot sale made a total of £3,205,401 with 84% sold by lot and 98% sold by value.
Emily Barber, Bonhams Head of Jewellery, UK, said: “London Jewels represented a broad range of jewellery styles including exquisite jewels from the descendants of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 19th century and Art Deco jewels, to mid-20th century and contemporary pieces. Competition was fierce with the top lots competed for by international buyers and achieving figures far above the pre-sale estimates.”
Other highlights included:
- A Peridot and gem-set fringe necklace, circa 1900, featuring a series of octagonal and oval-cut peridots, accented by old cushion-shaped diamonds of 6.10 carats, alternating with oval and circular opal cabochons quartered with cushion-shaped rubies, suspending a fringe of three opal and ruby drops. The necklace sold for over three times the pre-sale estimate, achieving £75,900.
- An Art Deco bracelet, brooch, choker, and pendant combination, circa 1920 of millegrain-set old brilliant-cut diamonds of approximately 26.80 carats within exquisite lattice work and geometric motifs, achieved £53,220, over three times the pre-sale estimate.
