The Bonhams Jewellery department consists of a global team of qualified gemmologists and knowledgeable jewellery connoisseurs. Whilst valuing jewellery for clients, they often stumble across some incredibly special (and sometimes unexpected) jewels that go on to be sold successfully at auction. Here, we speak to our UK Jewellery team about their top discoveries in recent years, and the hidden gems that they have uncovered.
A Magnificent Pair of Late 19th Century Sapphire and Diamond Earrings
Bonhams were first approached to give an opinion on a pair of sapphire and diamond cluster earrings in 2015. The earrings, originally late 19th century in date were inherited by the owner from her mother, with possible provenance from Russia. The family escaped revolution in Europe in the first half of the 20th century, and unlike their other possessions, they were able to take the earrings with them as a portable store of wealth.
The earrings were carefully hidden from revolutionary guards in a chicken coup and then taken to the UK where they remained unworn and in their original state until they were bought into Bonhams in 2015. Of exceptional quality, we recommended that the sapphires were sent for gemmological testing to ascertain their origin. The gemmological laboratory assessed the pair of stones to be of Kashmir origin, the source of some of the more highly prized sapphires.
The client, unaware of their value, did entrust them to Bonhams for sale with an estimate of £500,000-800,000. They sold in December 2015 for £1,538,500.
A Pair of Natural Pearl and Diamond Earclips, by Sterlé, circa 1950
Bonhams were first approached to give an opinion on a pair of sapphire and diamond cluster earrings in 2015. The earrings, originally late 19th century in date were inherited by the owner from her mother, with possible provenance from Russia. The family escaped revolution in Europe in the first half of the 20th century, and unlike their other possessions, they were able to take the earrings with them as a portable store of wealth.
The earrings were carefully hidden from revolutionary guards in a chicken coup and then taken to the UK where they remained unworn and in their original state until they were bought into Bonhams in 2015. Of exceptional quality, we recommended that the sapphires were sent for gemmological testing to ascertain their origin. The gemmological laboratory assessed the pair of stones to be of Kashmir origin, the source of some of the more highly prized sapphires.
The client, unaware of their value, did entrust them to Bonhams for sale with an estimate of £500,000-800,000. They sold in December 2015 for £1,538,500.
An Art Deco Fancy-Coloured Diamond Single-Stone Ring, circa 1925
I first met the client at an open house valuation day, where they had brought a small selection of inherited gem-set gold and silver jewellery. A blue stone ring, in an art deco setting, was amongst the collection. The stone initially appeared to be an aquamarine, but on closer inspection, it was revealed to be a diamond. It had been in the family for many years and was thought to be worth about £3,000.
Realising its potential as a fancy coloured diamond, we recommended that the stone be sent to the Gemmological Institute of America to determine its colour and clarity grade, and to confirm that it was naturally coloured. The GIA confirmed it as being a natural and graded it as fancy greyish-blue, VS2 clarity.
It was consigned for sale with an estimate of £30,000-£50,000 and went on to sell for £103,250 in September 2011.
