An exceptional emerald and diamond ring, sold for £597,300. Image courtesy of Bonhams.
LONDON – Bonhams presented the highly anticipated London Jewels sale on 11 December 2025, featuring an exceptional selection of fine jewellery from houses including Cartier, Bulgari, Boucheron, Mauboussin, Grima, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels.
The sale showcased a remarkable range of fancy coloured diamonds and vibrant coloured gemstones — emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and natural pearls — set in designs spanning antique, Art Deco, and modernist Post-War jewellery.
Highlights included pieces from distinguished single-owner collections, among them a bracelet once belonging to Nancy Astor and the personal jewellery collection of Lady Glenconner.
The top lot was an exceptional emerald and diamond ring. The step-cut emerald of Colombian origin with no clarity enhancement, weighing 10.37 carats, set within a surround of marquise and brilliant-cut diamonds, sold for £597,300, more than eight times its pre-sale estimate of £70,000-100,000.
Another notable lot was Lady Glenconner’s antique diamond star tiara, circa 1880, notably worn for a portrait taken in 1983 with other Maids of Honour from the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and worn when accompanying Princess Margaret on State banquets and Royal tours.
The tiara comprises eight impressive diamond stars, which are all mounted in silver and gold and graduate in size towards the centre. The principal diamond at the centre of the largest star weighs approximately 3.50 carats with the remaining cushion and old brilliant-cut diamonds weighing approximately 75.00 carats in total. The jewel can unusually be worn as either a tiara with seven stars or as a crown with all eight stars, while each diamond star can also be worn as individual brooches. The tiara sold for £127,400, more than double its pre-sale estimate of £50,000-80,000.
Lady Glenconner’s antique diamond star tiara, circa 1880, sold for £127,400. Image courtesy of Bonhams.
Another highlight was an important diamond bracelet, circa 1870, from the collection of Nancy Astor, Viscountess Astor (1879–1964), and by descent to the present owner.
Appearing on the market for the first time, this exquisite jewel is distinguished not only by its craftsmanship but also by its remarkable provenance. The bracelet has a stylish design of circlets graduating in size towards the centre, each issuing an ivy leaf via a knife wire stem, between trefoil spacers, set throughout with old brilliant and rose-cut diamonds, with an approximate total diamond weight of 36.00 carats. The bracelet sold for £95,650, more than three times its pre-sale estimate of £25,000-35,000.
