A diamond solitaire ring. Photo Bonhams

centering a marquise-shaped diamond, weighing 14.82 carats, with triangular-cut diamond shoulders and a plain mount;remaining diamonds weighing approximately: 2.00 carats total; mounted in eighteen karat white gold; size 4 1/2. Lot 207. Estimate: US$ 250,000 - 350,000 £160,000 - 220,000 €190,000 - 270,000

Accompanied by GIA report #5141491203, dated February 27, 2012, stating: J color, VVS1 clarity.

A 20.59 carat platinum-mounted diamond solitaire ring (pre-sale est. $120,000 - 180,000) is one of our largest diamonds to go to auction.

A diamond solitaire ring. Photo Bonhams

centering a cut-cornered rectangular-cut diamond, weighing 20.59 carats, with baguette-cut diamond curved shoulders and a plain mount; mounted in platinum; size: 5. Lot 114. Estimate: US$ 120,000 - 180,000 £75,000 - 110,000 €91,000 - 140,000

Other diamond highlights are a marquise-shaped light yellow diamond (pre-sale est. $150,000 - 200,000), weighing 12.38 carats, with triangular-cut diamond shoulders and a slightly more demure 8.46 carat marquise-cut diamond solitaire (pre-sale est. $45,000 - 65,000).

A diamond solitaire ring.. Photo Bonhams

centering a marquise-shaped light yellow diamond, weighing 12.38 carats, with triangular-cut diamond shoulders and an adjustable mount; remaining diamonds weighing approximately: 2.00 carats total; mounted in eighteen karat gold and platinum; size 4 3/4 (with sizer, central diamond not tested for origin of color). Lot 204. Estimate: US$ 150,000 - 200,000 £94,000 - 130,000 €110,000 - 150,000

A diamond solitaire ring. Photo Bonhams

the marquise-cut diamond, weighing 8.46 carats, within a plain mount; mounted in platinum; size 6. Lot 190. Estimate: US$ 45,000 - 65,000 £28,000 - 41,000 €34,000 - 49,000

Whimsical items add a charming quality to this auction, a primary example being a Cartier black suede handbag featuring a detachable brooch of a black and red enamel hand holding a gold flower set centering an old European-cut diamond (pre-sale est. $1,500 - 2,500). This beautiful clutch comes from the estate of Hazel Forbes Richmond, a legendary Ziegfeld follies girl, and is accompanied by several pieces of correspondence from Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy.

Also with in the theme is a 1960 Cartier extraordinary color-change star sapphire, amethyst, and diamond brooch in the shape of a turtle (pre-sale est. $10,000 - 15,000). The eye-catching central stone is an oval cabochon color-change star sapphire is accentuated by circular-cut amethyst legs, heart-shaped amethyst head, pavé-set round brilliant-cut diamonds and further single brown diamond detail.

A color-change star sapphire, amethyst, and diamond brooch, Cartier, French, circa 1960. Photo Bonhams

designed as a turtle, centering an oval cabochon color-change star sapphire accentuated by circular-cut amethyst legs, heart-shaped amethyst head, pavé-set round brilliant-cut diamonds and further single brown diamond detail; signed Cartier Paris, no. 015601, with French assay marks; sapphire weighing approximately: 35.00 carats; mounted in eighteen karat gold and platinum; length: 1 5/8in. (brown diamond not tested for origin of color). Lot 70. Estimate: US$ 10,000 - 15,000 £6,300 - 9,400 €7,600 - 11,000

Notes : Accompanied by AGL report #CS48534, dated March 13, 2012, stating the center stone as: natural purple sapphire, Ceylon (Sri Lankan) origin, no indications of heat treatment.

This gemstone displays a change of color when viewed under different lighting conditions.

Another fancifully designed highlight is a ruby brooch from Tiffany and Co. designed in the shape of a circus seal (pre-sale est. $25,000 - 30,000). Carrying on the whimsical theme, is a diamond and emerald brooch designed by Donald Claflin for Tiffany & Co in the shape of Bacchus' face (pre-sale est. $20,000 - 25,000). A decorative brooch designed in the shape of a dragon-like mythical figure with textured coral body, pavé-set diamond face, wings and legs, accentuated with cabochon chrysoprase and circular emerald eye (pre-sale est. $5,000 - 7,000) is an exotic and rare piece that is sure to enchant many collectors.

A diamond and ruby brooch, Tiffany & Co. Photo Bonhams

designed as a seal with a body of pavé-set old European-cut diamonds and cabochon ruby eye, balancing a pavé-set ruby ball on his nose and perched on a circular-cut ruby and old European-cut diamond stool; signed Tiffany & Co., with signed box; estimated total diamond weight: 9.50 carats; mounted in eighteen karat gold and platinum; length: 2 1/2in. Lot 49. Estimate: US$ 25,000 - 30,000 £16,000 - 19,000 €19,000 - 23,000

 

The Bonhams jewellery department is also pleased to feature many unique pieces crafted by masterful jewellery designers of unparalleled artistry. A resplendent eighteen karat necklace and earrings set designed by Lalounis (pre-sale est. $16,000 - 20,000) will certainly be a focus for gold enthusiasts.

A sodalite and eighteen karat gold necklace, LaLaounis. Photo Bonhams

designed as a series of wide tapered sodalite plaques, each detailed with openwork panels of gold arches; signed Ilias LaLaounis, with maker's marks; gross weight approximately: 260.6 grams; length: 15in. Lot 15. Estimate: US$ 4,000 - 6,000 £2,500 - 3,800 €3,000 - 4,600

Property from the Estate of Stella Wilson, Napa, California

An abstract eighteen karat gold bracelet from the estate of Stella Wilson (pre-sale est. $7,000 - 9,000) will also surely turn heads.

An eighteen karat gold bracelet. Photo Bonhams

the wide bracelet of highly flexible and abstract design; gross weight approximately: 190.5 grams; approximate diameter: 2 1/8in. Lot 44. Estimate: US$ 7,000 - 9,000 £4,400 - 5,600 €5,300 - 6,800

Property from the Estate of Stella Wilson, Napa, California

Two beautifully detailed and textural pieces by Stittgen—an eighteen karat gold, aquamarine and diamond pendant necklace (pre-sale est. $8,000 - 12,000) and an abstract eighteen karat gold bangle bracelet (pre-sale est. $8,000 - 12,000)—are great statement pieces.

An eighteen karat gold, aquamarine and diamond pendant necklace, Stittgen, circa 1970. Photo Bonhams

the large rectangular and three-dimensional textured gold panel centering a rectangular-cut aquamarine within an intermittent surround of round brilliant-cut diamonds (converts to a brooch), suspended from a detachable abstract textured gold necklace; signed Stittgen; gross weight approximately: 198.2 grams; length of necklace: 24in. Lot 179. Estimate: US$ 8,000 - 12,000 £5,000 - 7,500 €6,100 - 9,100

An eighteen karat gold bangle bracelet, Stittgen, circa 1970. Photo Bonhams

the hinged bangle of wide, openwork and abstract design;with maker's mark for Stittgen; gross weight approximately: 195.7 grams; diameter: 2 3/4in. Lot 178. Estimate: US$ 8,000 - 12,000 £5,000 - 7,500 €6,100 - 9,100

Another highlight is a citrine and peridot brooch (pre-sale est. $4,000 - 6,000) designed by René Boivin in the shape of an opening flower bud.

A citrine and peridot brooch, René Boivin, French. Photo Bonhams. 

designed as an opening flower bud, with calibré-cut orange citrine center and circular-cut peridot leaves; unsigned, attributed to René Boivin; with French assay mark; mounted in eighteen karat gold; length: 2 1/4in. Lot 121. Estimate: US$ 4,000 - 6,000 £2,500 - 3,800 €3,000 - 4,600

Property from the Descendants of James J. and Mary T. Hill

Other highlights include: two rare turn-of-the-century jewellery books, one of which was owned by legendary film director Cecil B. DeMille (pre-sale est. $5,000 - 7,000); an architectural diamond pendant designed as temple detailed with half-moon, single and baguette-cut diamonds (pre-sale est. $3,500 - 5,500); and an impressive sapphire and diamond pendant (pre-sale est. $30,000 - 50,000) from the Cleveland Museum of Art along with a matching sapphire and diamond ring (pre-sale est. $50,000 - 70,000).

A sapphire and diamond pendant. Photo Bonhams

centering a pear-shaped sapphire within a graduated old European-cut diamond surround surmounted by an old mine-cut diamond; sapphire weighing approximately: 13.20 carats; estimated total diamond weight: 5.60 carats; mounted in platinum; length: 1 3/4in. Lot 133. Estimate: US$ 30,000 - 50,000 £19,000 - 31,000 €23,000 - 38,000

Notes: Accompanied by AGL report #CS 48532, dated March 13, 2012, stating the sapphire as: Ceylon (Sri Lankan) origin, no indications of heat treatment.

A sapphire and diamond ring. Photo Bonhams

centering a cushion-shaped sapphire within an old European-cut diamond surround; sapphire weighing approximately: 9.70 carats; estimated total diamond weight: 7.10 carats; mounted in platinum; size 7 1/2. Lot 134. Estimate: US$ 50,000 - 70,000 £31,000 - 44,000 €38,000 - 53,000

Property sold on behalf of The Cleveland Museum of Art