The Facts
Bonhams presented its Fine Jewellery, London sale on 8 July, with a David Morris cultured pearl and diamond necklace achieving £40,960 against a £25,000-35,000 estimate. A natural pearl necklace with diamond clasp sold for £39,680, more than tripling its £7,000-10,000 estimate. Other highlights included a Bulgari 'Monete' Tubogas necklace at £35,840, a diamond fringe necklace at £38,400, and a diamond, ruby and emerald-set Art Deco bracelet from a private collection achieving £24,320. A 5.73-carat Burmese sapphire ring and a 3.34-carat Mozambique ruby ring also exceeded estimates. Jennifer Tonkin, Bonhams Head of Jewellery, UK, noted strong demand for natural pearls, coloured gemstones, signed and period jewellery.
The Signal
The sale underscores sustained collector appetite for heritage-brand high jewellery and rare natural pearls, with multiple lots more than doubling pre-sale estimates. For jewellery collectors, the results signal robust pricing for signed pieces by houses like David Morris and Bulgari, as well as for period jewels and gemstones from established sources such as Burma and Mozambique. The performance of the natural pearl necklace—tripling its top estimate—highlights a niche market for historic organic gems, while the Art Deco bracelet's strong result reflects continuing interest in early 20th-century design.
- People: Jennifer Tonkin
- Auction Houses: Bonhams
- Locations: London
- Prices: £40,960, £39,680, £35,840, £38,400, £24,320, £25,600, £23,040
📊 Market Intelligence
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