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Van Cleef & Arpels

Van Cleef & Arpels necklace sells for $90,000 at Moran’s

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf

 

Van Cleef & Arpels
This stunning necklace and pendant/brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels sold for $90,000 (est. $30,000 to $50,000). John Moran Auctioneers image

MONROVIA, Calif. – John Moran’s biannual Fine Jewelry Auction always offers a wide array of jewelry lots dating from the 19th century to the contemporary, in a range of styles and materials. The Dec. 5 auction event offered a lively selection of fine jewelry with many top designers represented. A large audience came out to view lots by makers such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier and David Webb. Absentee and Internet bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.

One of the most anticipated lots of the auction was an assembled set of diamond and gemstone jewelry including a necklace and a pendant/brooch (above) designed by famed jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels. The cover lot of the auction, the necklace set off a bidding frenzy, ultimately selling for $90,000 (estimate $30,000 to $50,000). Prices realized include Moran’s buyer’s premium.

Moran’s auction opened with a fine selection of antique jewelry including an antique natural Burmese spinel neckace (below), which inspired stiff competition among phone bidders and finally sold for $9,600.

Van Cleef & Arpels
This antique natural Burmese spinel neckace sold for $9,600 at Moran’s Fine Jewelry Auction (est. $8,000 to $12,000). John Moran Auctioneers image

Watch collectors were happy to find a fine selection of vintage and contemporary watches on offer. Lot 54, an 18K rose gold Louis Cartier Tank watch (below) proved to be one of the most popular watches of the day hammering for $9,600 (estimate $8,000-$12,000). A vintage Rolex Chronograph watch consigned from a private collector went home with a determined floor bidder for $15,600 (estimate $5,000 to $7,000).

Van Cleef & Arpels
A handsome 18K rose gold Louis Cartier Tank watch went home with one happy buyer for $9,600 (est. $8,000 to $12,000). John Moran Auctioneers image

Diamonds were, as always, among the most popular items on offer. The largest diamond in the auction, a stunning 10.16 carat, L color, VVS2 clarity diamond in a fashionable emerald cut inspired strong interest from the moment the catalog went up online, selling for $96,000 (estimate $60,000 to $80,000). The last lot of the Fine Jewelry Auction, a stunning and rare natural fancy pink diamond weighing in at 1.02 carats and graded I1 clarity was the focus of a lot of attention from attendees and phone bidders alike. With colored diamonds, especially pink diamonds, selling for top prices at auction it is perhaps not surprising that after a protracted bidding war a phone bidder picked up the diamond for $75,000 (estimate $10,000 to $12,000).

Van Cleef & Arpels
A beautiful and rare fancy pink diamond inspired a bidding frenzy before one buyer proved successful, paying $75,000 (est. $10,000 to $12,000). John Moran Auctioneers image

A classic pear-shaped diamond ring centering an F color, VS1 clarity pear-shaped diamond weighing in at 3.40 carats. sold for $45,000 (estimate $35,000 to $45,000).

Impressive examples by good makers proved ever popular throughout the sale. Among them was a pair of diamond and black enamel ear clips by renowned jeweler David Webb (sold for $3,300, estimate $2,500 to $3,500), a carnelian intaglio and diamond necklace depicting a Theban hero on chariot by famed Italian maker Bulgari (sold for $5,400, estimate $4,000 to $6,000) and a stunning Art Deco-inspired set of ruby, hematite and diamond jewelry by French jewelry house Poiray (below) went for $7,800 (estimate $7,000 to $9,000).

 

Van Cleef & Arpels
This stunning Art Deco-inspired set from Poiray sold for $7,800 (est. $7,000 to $9,000). John Moran Auctioneers image

The Studio Jewelry auction also proved popular. Lot 1083, a Retro gold necklace with a classic herringbone pattern went to an absentee bidder for $900 (estimate $600 to $800). Charm bracelets proved their lasting appeal with one impressive example (below) selling for $2,520 (estimate $1,800 to $2,200).

Van Cleef & Arpels
This impressive charm bracelet proved its enduring appeal, selling for $2,520 (est. $1,800 to $2,200). John Moran Auctioneers image

For details contact John Moran Auctioneers at 626-793-1833 or info@johnmoran.com.

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