Bonhams. Gems, Minerals and Lapidary Works of Art New York - 23 May 2012
01 août 2014
Very Large Checkerboard Aquamarine
Very Large Checkerboard Aquamarine. Photo Bonhams.
Sure to become a statement piece if mounted as a pendant, this attractive aquamarine, most likely from Brazil, displays a rich blue unenhanced color, made all the more beautiful by its checkerboard faceting and fine luster. Weighing approximately 243.0 carats and measuring 30.0 x 25.0 x 19.0mm. Sold for US$ 23,750 (€17,751)
Bonhams. Gems, Minerals and Lapidary Works of Art New York - 23 May 2012
Rare Spessartite Garnet, Burma
Rare Spessartite Garnet, Burma. Photo Bonhams.
From a rare locality for the mineral, the present stone is exemplary for the species not only for its very large size but also for the saturation of its color, a rich, deep reddish-orange, unhindered by any brown. The transparency is of the highest degree, unmasked by any haze as so many spessartites are. This is a "gem" ---a stone truly worthy of that designation, making it worthy of attention by the most serious collector. Weighing approximately 15.24 carats and measuring 16.5 x 12.0 x 8.0mm. Sold for US$ 31,250 (€23,357)
Bonhams. Gems, Minerals and Lapidary Works of Art New York - 23 May 2012
The "100 Carats Club". Impressive and Prodigious Pink Tourmaline, Mozambique
The "100 Carats Club". Impressive and Prodigious Pink Tourmaline, Mozambique. Photo Bonhams.
With a "padparadscha-esque" color both pink and orange hues in a subtle combination, this tourmaline is a stunning gemstone. Dodecaheron in face-up outline, the table bears checkerboard facets that enliven the stone and bring out its pleochroism, while the step-cut pavillion permits a view into its highly transparent interior. This is a rare stone for the collector of gems weighing over 100 carats, but it is also still of wearable size for the right woman. Weighing approximately 338.5 carats and measuring 42.0 x 39.0 x 32.0mm. Sold for US$ 40,000 (€29,897)
Property of a Connecticut Collector.
Bonhams. Gems, Minerals and Lapidary Works of Art New York - 23 May 2014
Rare and Immense Colorless Jeremejevite--A World-Class Gem for the Knowledgable Collector, Ilakaka, Madagascar
Rare and Immense Colorless Jeremejevite--A World-Class Gem for the Knowledgable Collector, Ilakaka, Madagascar. Photo Bonhams
Jeremejevite is often mentioned as being the rarest of all rare gemstones.
Most frequently seen as tiny, bluish, elongated, narrow crystals of just a few millimeters in length they were first found in Namibia, the only known source for the mineral until just a few years ago.
In 2004, a discovery of larger gems was made in Ilakaka, Madagascar at the famous placer deposit which has produced and still produces fantastic fancy colored sapphires.
One of the first large jeremejevites found, a 59.58 carats example, was illustrated in the Tucson Report of Gems & Gemology, (see G&G Vol 44 N°1, Spring 2008, pp74-75). Although, larger than the present example on offer, that stone displayed many brownish needles whereas the present stone is flawless.
If this stone were a diamond it would certainly be graded as "E" color and, it is interesting to note, that its optical and physical properties resemble those of topaz while the original crystal shape resembles that of beryl.
It is very unusual to encounter such a rare gem with such a combination of exceptional clarity and size, good polish, and excellent proportions.
A world-class example, this cushion-cut gem with its modified brilliant-cut crown and step-cut pavilion, is a fantastically transparent stone which is near colorless.
Weighing approximately 38.08 carats and measuring 20.07 x 17.97 x 13.60mm. Sold for US$ 43,750 (€32,700)
Accompanied by a Gemological Institute of America Identification report 17551924 dated July 11, 2008 identifying the stone as a Jeremejevite.
Bonhams. Gems, Minerals and Lapidary Works of Art New York - 23 May 2012
Natural Burmese Ruby, Burma
Natural Burmese Ruby, Burma.Photo Bonhams.
The moniker of "pigeon's blood" is a much sought-after name used to describe rubies, yet it is infrequently seen in the gemstone market. The present stone, with its fine, true red color, is deserving of that appellation. Found in an old estate, this stone, most likely originating from the fabled area of Mogok, was recently recut to improve its brilliance. This is a "pre-embargo" ruby, probably mined in the 1950s, natural, unheated, and with a weight of over 4 carats making it an extremely rare and desirable commodity in today's market. Weighing approximately 4.02 and measuring 9.5 x 7.5 x 4.5mm. Sold for US$ 60,000 (€44,846)
Accompanied by the original Gemological Institute of America report #1136987564 dated October 14, 2011 stating that the original 4.18 carats ruby (its previous weight before recutting) originates from Burma and has no indications of heating.
Accompanied by AGL (American Gemological Laboratories) report number CS 49437 dated May 8, 2012, stating that the 4.02 carats ruby is natural and unheated.
Bonhams. Gems, Minerals and Lapidary Works of Art New York - 23 May 2012
German-cut Stunning and Immense Peridot, Pakistan
German-cut Stunning and Immense Peridot, Pakistan. Photo Bonhams.
Faceted in Idar-Oberstein by Bernd Cullman
The impeccable German faceting of this star-cut, navette (marquise)–shaped stone is only one of its commendable characteristics. Faceted by one of the top cutters in the German gem-cutting city of Idar-Oberstein over 20 years ago the color of this astonishing peridot is a vivid and bright green with even saturation. Using desirable old rough, now unavailable in comparable sizes, the cutter has revealed the highly transparent interior and given the stone a superb polish providing it with a mirror-bright luster. Suitable for mounting as a one-of-a-kind pendant, this sought-after and rare collector's stone is sure to create a statement when worn by the right woman.
Weighing approximately 232.93 and measuring 52.40 x 31.85 x 21.40mm. Sold for US$ 80,500 (€60,168)
Accompanied by a copy of a Gemological Report from DSEF, the Deutsche Stiftung Edelsteinforschung (German Foundation for Gemstone Research) Idar-Oberstein, dated July 18, 2000 state star-cut navette-shapped natural peridot.
Chinese porcelain bowl, Qianlong (1723-1795) zhuanshu mark and of the period
Chinese porcelain bowl, Qianlong (1723-1795) zhuanshu mark and of the period. Photo courtesy Alberto Varela Santos.
Chinese export porcelain bowl decorated in and out with yellow glaze. Base with the mark of Qianlong (1736/1795) in zhuanshu and of the period. ø 14 cm, 5 1/2 in. - SOLD
Alberto Varela Santos. santos@santoslondon.com · albertovsantos@aol.com
Chinese porcelain tea pot, c. 1770, Qianlong reign, Qing dynasty
Chinese porcelain tea pot, c. 1770, Qianlong reign, Qing dynasty. Photo courtesy Alberto Varela Santos.
White glazed and moulded Chinese export porcelain tea pot, c. 1770, Qianlong reign, Qing dynasty. Height: 10 cm, 4 in. - SOLD
Alberto Varela Santos. santos@santoslondon.com · albertovsantos@aol.com
Chinese porcelain bowl, 18th century,
Chinese porcelain bowl, 18th century, no marks. Photo courtesy Alberto Varela Santos.
Chinese porcelain conical bowl decorated outside with a coral glaze and the inside left white.No marks in the base. ø 14 cm, 5 1/2 in. - ON HOLD
Alberto Varela Santos. santos@santoslondon.com · albertovsantos@aol.com
Chinese porcelain dish, Zhengde (1506/1521) mark and of the period
Chinese porcelain dish, Zhengde (1506/1521) mark and of the
Chinese porcelain dish, Zhengde (1506/1521) mark and of the period. Photo courtesy Alberto Varela Santos.
Chinese porcelain saucer dish decorated in and out with a mustard yellow glaze. Base with the six character mark of Zhengde (1506/1521) in under glaze cobalt blue and of the period. ø 16,5 cm, 6 1/2 in. - SOLD
Alberto Varela Santos. santos@santoslondon.com · albertovsantos@aol.com
