Editor’s Note
This article highlights a standout piece from a recent New York auction—a diamond and emerald necklace that far exceeded its pre-sale estimate.
A necklace bearing diamonds and emeralds took the spotlight at a recent New York sale at Bonhams, raking in $597,000 against a $180,000 upper estimate.
The piece is composed of approximately 116.50 carats of graduated emerald-cut Colombian emeralds, within a surround of brilliant-cut diamonds, interspersed with clusters of pear-shaped and round brilliant-cut diamonds. In total, the diamonds weigh about 67.20 carats. The necklace led the June 12 New York Jewels auction, where over 90% of lots sold, Bonhams said last week.
The company offered period pieces by Boucheron, René Boivin, and Belperron, as well as colored gems.
Here are the rest of the top 10 pieces:
This ring bears a cushion-shaped, 4.32-carat Kashmir sapphire, with pavé-set round brilliant-cut diamonds on the mount. It exceeded its $150,000 upper price, achieving $559,300.
A Boucheron Juno pendant dated around 1900 features a cushion- and a pear-shaped yellow sapphire weighing a total of 20.30 carats. It also includes 3.10 carats old mine- and old European-cut diamonds. The piece, covered in gold, purple, green and blue enamel, sold for $505,500, far exceeding its $300,000 upper estimate.
A Tiffany and Co. ring has an oval-shaped, 4-carat Paraiba tourmaline, surrounded by about 3.10 carats of pear- and marquise-shaped diamonds. It more than tripled its $150,000 high estimate to fetch $483,100.
Bonhams brought in $470,400 for this piece, within its presale price range. The pendant sports a rectangular-cut, 50.65-carat Tajikistan spinel, in a frame containing 10.50 carats of round brilliant-, baguette- and tapered baguette-cut diamonds. The piece suspends two round pearls and one briolette-cut, 7.80-carat emerald.
This pair of ear clips features emerald-cut Colombian emeralds weighing 26 and 26.45 carats, each within a surround of pear-shaped and round brilliant-cut diamonds weighing approximately 12.40 carats in total. It made more than five times its $80,000 estimate, reaching $445,000.
This circa 1939 René Boivin brooch, designed as an orchid, is set throughout with an estimated 25 carats of round brilliant- and old European-cut diamonds, further enhanced with approximately 15.30 carats of round brilliant-, old European- and single-cut diamonds of yellow tint. It realized $247,200, beating its $200,000 upper estimate.
This necklace features a centered oval-shaped ruby and three rows of graduated oval-shaped Burmese rubies with each stone surrounded by circular diamonds. The estimated combined ruby weight is 43 carats, with the diamonds weighing around 86.50 carats. The piece garnered $229,100, outdoing its $200,000 top price.
This Pierres De Caractère necklace designed by Van Cleef & Arpels features a row of Asscher-cut diamonds intersecting at the front, with each strand suspending an Asscher-cut diamond — a 2.01-carat, E-color, VVS1-clarity and a 1.51-carat, D-color, VVS2-clarity stone. The estimated total weight of the remaining diamonds is 45.80 carats. It sold for $178,300, surpassing its $150,000 high estimate.
A Suzanne Belperron necklace is composed of graduated cabochon sapphires suspending seven oval-shaped cabochon sapphires at the front, with a total weight of around 290 carats. It also features about 1.10 carats of old European-cut diamond accents. The piece soared past its $90,000 presale price to go for $171,950.
Main image: The emerald and diamond necklace. (Bonhams)
