Los Angeles – Bonhams presented California Jewels on March 11th, alive auction that featured an abundance of vibrant gemstones and exquisite designs including an exceptional selection of diamonds, fancy-colored diamonds, and a captivating array of emeralds, rubies, and sapphires.

Spanning various eras, from antique and Art Deco masterpieces to elegant mid-century creations. The top lot was a fancy brown-yellow diamond and diamond ring. The octagonal-cut fancy brown-yellow color diamond of VS2 clarity, weighing 12.62 carats, flanked by two trapezoidal-cut diamonds sold for double its pre-sale estimate to achieve US$108,450 (estimate US$50,000-80,000). The 298-lot sale made a total of US$2,862,098 with 93% sold by lot and 99% sold by value.

Allison Osborn, Bonhams Head of Sale, California Jewels, in Los Angeles, comments: "California Jewels included jewelry of exquisite craftsmanship from antique jewels, Art Deco designs and contemporary pieces. Notably, the sale was composed primarily of private consignments, offering collectors a rare opportunity to acquire unique and storied pieces. We were honored to sell a wonderful selection of fancy grade color diamonds and color gemstones of rubies, emeralds and sapphires including an elegant octagonal-cut fancy brown-yellow color diamond weighing 12.62 carats. Competition was fierce on the top lots with bidding by international buyers, achieving figures above the pre-sale estimates."

Another notable lot was a Cartier platinum and diamond bracelet, circa 1920. Composed of an openwork station featuring an emerald-cut diamond, flanked by modified trillion-cut diamonds and old European-cut, transitional-cut and single-cut diamonds, completed by stations of a buckle-inspired design and strands of linked bezel-set old European-cut diamonds. Total carat weight of 20.45 carats. The bracelet sold for four times its pre-sale estimate to achieve US$83,050 (estimate US$20,000-30,000).

Another sale highlight was a platinum, emerald and diamond ring. Centering a cushion-cut emerald of natural Beryl of Colombian origin with no indications of clarity enhancement, weighing 5.58 carats, flanked by marquise-shaped diamonds. The ring sold for more than five times its pre-sale estimate to achieve US$44,800 (estimate of US$8,000-12,000).

Other notable lots included:

· Aplatinum, emerald and diamond necklace. Featuring graduated round, oval and square and rectangular sugarloaf cabochon emeralds, accented throughout by marquise-shaped diamonds. The necklace sold for double its pre-sale estimate to achieve US$44,800 (estimate of US$20,000-30,000).

· A platinum, star sapphire and diamond ring. Featuring an oval cabochon sapphire of Sri Lankan origin, weighing approximately 20.00 carats, flanked by two bullet-shaped diamonds. The ring sold for more than four times its pre-sale estimate to achieve US$32,000 (estimate US$8,000-12,000).

· A platinum, 18K gold, emerald and diamond ring. Centering an octagonal Colombian origin emerald weighing approximately 5.15 carats, flanked by two trapezoidal diamonds. The ring was owned by Mary Olive "Ollie" Pierson (1944–2024) an eminent Baton Rouge attorney who was a master litigator, passionate advocate, and trailblazer for women in law. The ring sold for more than five times its pre-sale estimate to achieve US$40,960 (estimate of US$7,000-9,000).

· A platinum and diamond ring centering a heart-shaped diamond of D color, VVS1 clarity, weighing 5.28 carats, flanked by two tapered baguette diamonds. The ring sold for more than its pre-sale estimate to achieve US$95,750 (estimate of US$70,000-90,000).

· A platinum, diamond and colored diamond pendant necklace, circa 1910. The pendant of a flexible, open-work design, centering around yellow diamond, accented by diamonds on the pendant and bail, suspended from a chain set with diamonds, sold for more than five times its pre-sale estimate to achieve US$40,960 (estimate US$8,000-12,000).

· A platinum, 14K gold and diamond pendant highlighting an emerald-cut diamond weighing 3.44 carats. The pendant sold for more than its pre-sale estimate to achieve US$48,640 (estimate US$28,000-38,000).

(Press Release)