Heritage Auctions’ Holiday Fine Jewelry Auction totals $4.6M

DALLAS – A dozen competitive bidders boosted a diamond, white gold pendant-necklace to $175,000, claiming top-lot honors in Heritage Auctions’ Holiday Fine Jewelry Auction Dec. 8 in New York. The result for the necklace and items from four important estates, one from Massachusetts and three from California, helped the total for the sale reach $4,683,189. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.

“This was a solid auction with a lot of exciting bidding wars for offerings that were mainly contemporary designer brand names and a lot of diamond set jewels,” said Jill Burgum, senior director of fine jewelry at Heritage Auctions. “We saw an increase in our average price per lot sold, which reflected not only the quality of the jewelry offered, but also the strength of the economy and the exuberant nature generated by those feeling the holiday season.”

The top lot was a dazzling piece, simultaneously simple and stunning, featuring a magnificent pear-shaped diamond weighing 9.62 carats, suspended by a 20-inch-long 18K white gold chain.

Multiple bidders also pursued a diamond, white gold bracelet until it finished at $75,000. The bracelet features round brilliant-cut diamonds weighing a total of 28.59 carats, set in platinum.

Competitive bidding surrounded a diamond, platinum, gold ring before it ultimately brought $47,500. The ring features an impressive brilliant-cut diamond weighing 6.09 carats, enhanced by square brilliant-cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 1.00 carat, accented by baguette-cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 0.55 carat, set in platinum and 18K gold.

One of the truly unique pieces in the auction was a diamond, ruby, enamel, platinum, gold bracelet by David Webb which ended a flurry of bids when it closed at $40,000. The hinged giraffe bangle features full-cut diamonds with a combined weight of approximately 2.50 carats, set in platinum, enhanced by oval-shaped ruby cabochons, accented by black and white enamel applied on 18K gold, marked David Webb.

Featuring a round brilliant-cut diamond weighing 5.01 carats, a diamond, white gold ring ultimately drew a winning bid of $40,000. The ring’s center stone is enhanced by full-cut diamonds with a combined weight of approximately 1.00 carat, set in 18K white gold.

Other top lots included:

– Diamond and white gold necklace: $38,750.

– Ceylon yellow sapphire, diamond and platinum ring (below): $37,500.

– Harry Winston diamond and platinum necklace: $37,500.

– Unmounted diamond: $36,250.

– Van Cleef & Arpels women’s diamond, mother-of-pearl, white gold Ludo Pampille watch: $35,000.

– Multicolor sapphire, ruby, diamond and white gold necklace: $35,000.

– Cartier diamond, gold bracelet: $35,000.