RAPAPORT... It’s not often that a jewel sells for almost double its
pre-auction estimate, but that happened this week with a rare Kashmir sapphire
at Bonhams. The 17.43-carat stone fetched GBP 723,062 ($944,713), or close to
$54,000 per carat, beating its high valuation of GBP 400,000 ($521,440).
The cushion-shaped, vivid-blue stone dates to the late 19th
or early 20th century, and was formerly owned by a European noble family. It
headlined Bonhams’ London sale on Tuesday in its first appearance at auction.
“We have a strong track record of selling Kashmir sapphires
at Bonhams, with our international clients eager to add an important gem to
their growing collections,” said Emily Barber, director of jewelry at Bonhams
UK.
The piece wasn’t the only one that exceeded expectations: A
transformable diamond and sapphire necklace by designer Grassy, which can be
changed around and worn in five ways, garnered GBP 287,562 ($375,713). The ensemble,
which features a 34.59-carat detachable sapphire, beat its estimate of GBP
120,000 to GBP 180,000 ($156,800 to $235,200).
“To discover a necklace like this today, intact and never
before seen on the open market, offered with its original design drawings, is
not only rare, but illustrates the compelling stories that period jewels can
tell,” Barber added.
Other notable items at the sale included a step-cut,
9.07-carat, F-color, type IIa diamond ring with the potential for VVS1 clarity.
Originally estimated at GBP 250,000 to GBP 350,000 ($325,900 to $456,260), the
piece sold for GBP 250,062 ($326,717).
Additionally, a ring featuring a step-cut, 22.02-carat,
Colombian emerald sitting on a mount formed by two marquise and brilliant-cut
diamond honeybees and two brilliant-cut diamond leaves brought in GBP 100,062
($130,736). Its presale estimate ranged from GBP 65,000 to GBP 85,000 ($84,730
to $110,810). The jewel, which is signed by both Tiffany & Co. and designer
Jean Schlumberger, was part of the collection of artist Andy Warhol.
Image: The 17.43-carat Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring. (Bonhams)
|
|
|
|
|