London – Bonhams New Bond Street presented its anticipated London Jewels sale on 5 December. The top lot was an exceptional coloured diamond and diamond ring, circa 1830. The old pear-shaped diamond of light pink colour weighing 2.27 carats, was set within a heart-shaped surround of cushion-shaped and old brilliant-cut diamonds, between scrolling openwork shoulders. The spectacular ring sold for £381,400, over seven times its pre-sale estimate of £50,000-70,000.

The 163-lot sale featured a spectacular selection of jewellery from impressive single-owner collections including jewels from the Collection of Dame Joan Collins. London Jewels spanned the 18th to 21st centuries featuring fine natural pearls, certificated coloured
diamonds and fine coloured gemstones including Burmese sapphires and rubies, Colombian emeralds and period pieces by coveted names of Boucheron, Bulgari, Cartier, Giuliano, Grima, Kutchinsky, Lalique, Mauboussin and Van Cleef & Arpels.

The sale made a total of £3,738,464, with 79% sold by lot and 94% sold by value.

Kate Flitcroft, Bonhams Co-Head of Department, Jewellery, UK, commented: "Our London Jewels sale featured several single-owner collections of antique and signed 20th century jewels including a selection of cherished pieces from the Collection of Dame Joan Collins. Demand continues for quality signed jewels, notable-coloured diamonds and gemstones. Sale highlights included a superb five-strand natural pearl, ruby and diamond necklace, a Boodles 1.77cts Fancy Intense Green diamond ring, an exceptional Chaumet emerald suite and a circa 1830s Light Pink diamond ring with a charming heart-shaped
diamond surround. We are absolutely delighted that the results of the sale reflected the quality of the exceptional pieces on offer, and proud to have achieved such a strong result for the exceptional light pink diamond that achieved a hammer price over seven times its pre-sale estimate."

Another highlight was an exceptional natural pearl, ruby and diamond necklace, originating from a private single-owner collection. The design featured five strands of natural pearls graduating in size towards the centre, accented by a pair of ruby and diamond floral spacers. Each floral motif features a central old brilliant-cut diamond, issuing a radiating surround of oval-cut rubies with single-cut diamond accents, the pavé-set brilliant and single-cut diamond petals are further accented by baguette-cut diamonds. The spectacular necklace sold for £343,300 against a pre-sale estimate of £150,000-
250,000.

Another notable lot was a Boodles diamond and coloured diamond ring, from 2016. The design featured a radiant-cut Fancy Intense Green diamond, of SI1 clarity, weighing 1.77 carats, the gallery and crossover surround are pavé-set with brilliant-cut diamonds. The ring sold for £190,900 against a pre-sale estimate of £100,000-150,000.

London Jewels included pieces from the Collection of Dame Joan Collins, the British stage, film and television actress, accomplished producer, and a published author. Notable lots included:

• A Mario Buccellati ruby and diamond collar necklace, circa 1960. Each square plaque is set with a ruby cabochon, accented by single-cut diamonds and finely engraved texture in the rigato style. Sold for £44,800, over three times its pre-sale estimate of £12,000-18,000.

• A pair of Buccellati ruby and diamond pendent earrings, circa 1965. Sold for £24,320, over three times its pre-sale estimate of £7,000-10,000.

• A Buccellati heliodor dress ring, circa 1960. The oval-cut heliodor is set between engraved bicoloured foliate shoulders. Sold for £12,800.

Other notable London Jewels lots included:

• A natural pearl and diamond necklace with two rows of graduating natural saltwater pearls, on an emerald-cut diamond clasp. Sold for £229,000, four times its pre-sale estimate of £50,000-80,000.

• A sapphire and diamond necklace, from the mid-19th century originating from a private UK collection. Designed as a graduated series of openwork plaques, each centrally set with a cushion or oval-cut sapphire of Sri Lankan origin, surrounded by cushion and pear-shaped diamonds, connected by cushion and rose-cut diamond-set coronette and figure eight knot links, the clasp set with a sapphire cabochon. The necklace sold for £127,400.

• A Chaumet emerald and diamond necklace, bracelet and earclip suite, circa 1915. The graduation of cabochon and sugarloaf emeralds set within surrounds of single or rose-cut diamonds, between old brilliant-cut diamond spacers, the earclips similarly-set. Sold for £61,360.

• A pair of diamond, coloured diamond and sapphire earrings. Each radiant-cut fancy light yellow diamond, weighing 6.87 carats of VS1 clarity and 7.11 carats of VVS1 clarity, set within an undulating border of tapered baguette-cut diamonds, each issuing a pear-shaped sapphire. Sold for £95,650.

• A Cartier ruby, diamond and enamel brooch, circa 1925. Modelled as a woodpecker resting on a baguette-cut diamond perch, pavé-set throughout with brilliant and single-cut diamonds, the cabochon ruby wing is carved with foliate motifs, and the tail is set with calibré-cut buff-top rubies. The feet, tail and breast are decorated with black enamel, with the head set with a cabochon ruby eye and a black and red enamel beak. Sold for £24,320.

• A pair of Marianne Ostier diamond-set mid-20th Century earclips, designed as two unfurling leaves, one pavé-set with brilliant-cut diamonds, the other claw-set and undulating with a graduation of baguette-cut diamonds and triangular-cut diamond terminals. Sold for £25,600, double its pre-sale estimate.

• A fancy intense yellow diamond ring. Featuring a radiant-cut Fancy Intense Yellow diamond, internally flawless, weighing 9.08 carats, set between trapezoid-cut diamond shoulders. Sold for £114,700.

• A Bulgari 'Monete' necklace, circa 1980. Of fancy-linking, rub over-set to the front with five ancient coins, the reverse of each engraved from tongue to the box-end of the clasp, accented by graduations of baguette-cut diamonds. Sold for £51,200, four times its pre-sale estimate of £12,000-18,000.