18ct. Diamond Smashes Estimate at Bonhams

An 18.04 carat diamond fetched $828,500 at Bonhams on Monday, exceeding its presale estimate of $400,000 to $600,000, Bonhams said Tuesday.

The emerald cut, G color, VS2 clarity ring flanked by trillion cut diamonds led the company’s New York Fine Jewelry sale. It was the first time the stone which was from a private collection had appeared at auction.

“We saw some fierce bidding for this magnificent diamond and are delighted with how well it performed,” said Caroline Morrissey, head of sales for Bonhams Jewelr, US.

At the same sale, a solitaire ring by Royal de Versailles featuring a round brilliant cut, 7.01 carat diamond garnered $275,000, beating its estimate of $180,000 to $250,000.

Other notable items from the auction included a pear-shaped brilliant cut, 5.03 carat, D color, internally flawless diamond solitaire ring. The piece went for $250,000, within its original valuation of $200,000 to $300,000. A cushion shaped modified brilliant cut, 18.76 carat, fancy light yellow diamond ring flanked by white, trillion shaped diamonds fetched $231,250, smashing its estimate of $100,000 to $150,000.

A rectangular shaped emerald cut, 33.03 carat, deep intense blue Sri Lankan sapphire ring failed to find a buyer, Bonhams said. That piece carried a presale estimate of $250,000 to $350,000.

The auction brought in a total of $4 million, according to Rapaport calculations, which Bonhams declined to confirm. The auction house will hold its Fine Jewelry sale in London on Wednesday, featuring a 24.31 carat diamond estimated at $1.7 million to $2.3 million.

Source: Diamonds.net