Bonhams & Butterfields’ jewelry department opened its 2010 auction season on March 22nd, hosting Salon Jewelry and Watches, a simulcast sale in San Francisco and Los Angeles which brought nearly $800,000 and included competitive bidding from across the US, from Hong Kong and from collectors in Europe. 

The 440-lot auction featured signed pieces from top jewelry houses and a wonderful assortment of rings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches and watches from private collections.  “Interest in the March sale reflected the diverse and appealing collection that was offered,” said Bonhams & Butterfields’ San Francisco-based jewelry specialist Lynne Arkin, G.G.  “The wide range of collectors and buyers were attracted to antique as well as contemporary pieces in diamonds and gold, as well, we note the continued interest in colored stones.”

A ruby and diamond 14k gold ring, centering a pear-shaped 7.55-carat ruby surrounded by approximately 2.75-carats of diamonds, sold for four times its estimate, bringing $14,640, top lot of the sale.  A seven-inch long diamond and 18k white gold line bracelet, estimated total diamond weight: 11.50-carats, sold for $9,150 while bidder interest was strong for a Carrera y Carrera diamond, gem-set and 18k gold cherub bracelet.  The dancing cherubs enticed bidders and the bracelet brought $11,590, selling far above estimate.  Another beautiful Carrera y Carrera lot was a diamond and 18k gold cuff bracelet and ring.  The bracelet centered the profile of a woman with diamond-set hair, the ring is designed as two hands holding a heart (sold for $6,710). 

Colored diamond jewelry drew great interest and one colored diamond long chain necklace, set throughout with light brown round brilliant-cut diamonds and mounted in 18k blackened gold, brought $7,930.  Another desirable necklace attracted international collector interest – a bidder paid $7,930 for a diamond, platinum and 18k gold necklace designed as a diamond and platinum strap bracelet which was converted to a textured branch-motif link necklace.

Several watches were offered for the lady and the gentleman, top time-keeper sold for three times its estimate.  A Chopard lady's colored diamond, diamond, ruby and 18k gold Happy Sport wristwatch brought $7,930.  The watch features a pink mother-of-pearl dial, a rose gold bezel set with colored diamonds, lugs and buckle set with full-cut diamonds and cabochon rubies, and colored diamond "Happy" settings in the crystal.

The auctioneer’s next jewelry and watches offering is set for April 19th, a three-city simulcast enabling bidding from Bonhams & Butterfields’ salesrooms in Los Angeles and San Francisco and from the Madison Ave. salesrooms of Bonhams New York.  The illustrated March auction catalog with prices realized will remain online at www.bonhams.com/us and the upcoming April auction catalog will be posted for review and purchase at the firm’s website.

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Press Contact:   Levi Morgan, PR.US@bonhams.com, 415-503-3348

Notes for Editors

Bonhams

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further five throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Boston in the USA; Toronto, Canada; and France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. By the end of 2009, Bonhams had become UK market leaders in ten key specialist collecting areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com (Feb. 2010).