Colour gemstones fetch strong prices at Chiswick Auctions sale
By David Brough
LONDON, November 2017 – Outstanding colour gemstone jewellery attracted strong prices at Chiswick Auctions’ latest jewellery sale, with an Art Deco sapphire and diamond ring attracting a frenzy of bidding to twice its pre-sale estimate.
One of the most sought-after items in the November 21 sale, held in Chiswick Auctions’ salesroom in west London, was the sapphire and diamond ring, circa 1925, which fetched 13,530 pounds, double its pre-sale estimate of 4,000-6,000 pounds.
The star lot of the sale, a 6.36-carat emerald ring, surrounded by white diamonds, sold to an anonymous telephone bidder for 24,600 pounds, within its pre-sale estimate of 20,000-30,000 pounds.
“Overall, the sale did really well. We had a lot of interest on the internet from overseas bidders,” said Sarah Duncan, Head of Jewellery.
“We had a fairly busy salesroom too.”
Colour gemstone jewellery was a strong performer.
“The trend for coloured stones is still really strong, and we are achieving really good prices,” Duncan said.
A sapphire and diamond brooch, late 19th/early 20th century, garnered 6,150 pounds, within its pre-sale estimate of 5,000-7,000 pounds.
Superbly crafted pieces by respected designers also flourished in the auction.
A rock crystal pendant, by Danish designer Wiwen Nilsson, 1947, achieved 1,538 pounds, against a pre-sale estimate of 400-600 pounds.
A fringe necklace, by Bent Gabrielsen for Georg Jensen, sold for 1,845 pounds, versus a pre-sale estimate of 700-900 pounds.
Branded items outperformed, notably top jewellery brands such as Tiffany and Cartier.
A hinged bangle, by Tiffany & Co, achieved 3,813 pounds, above its pre-sale estimate of 2,000-3,000 pounds.
A silk evening bag by Cartier, circa 1940, fetched 1,660 pounds, well above its pre-sale estimate of 300-500 pounds. The bag had a circular, carnelian clasp carved to depict a lotus flower, accented by collet-set rose-cut diamonds and black enamel claws.
“The sale reinforced how well named pieces do,” Duncan said.
Chiswick Auctions’ next jewellery sale will take place on February 6, 2018.
www.chiswickauctions.co.uk
