A diamond ring centering a cut-corned rectangular modified brilliant-cut diamond, weighing 12.13 carats, with triangular-shaped diamond shoulders in a plain mount; estimated remaining total diamond weight: 3.00 carats; mounted in platinum; size 8. Sold for $482,500 inc. premium. Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams.

NEW YORK — Bonhams realised nearly $5.3 million in the June 19 Fine Jewellery and Salon Jewellery auctions, with both auctions selling an exceptional 90% by value. The Madison Avenue gallery was standing-room only when auctioneer and Bonhams CEO UK & Europe and Group Jewellery Director, Matthew Girling, led the Fine Jewellery auction in the morning. Global bidders engaged dozens of telephone lines throughout the day while scores participated live online. US bidders were the slight majority, but the UK, Europe, East Asia, South Asia and the Middle East were all well represented. The telephones took home almost all of the top lots, with notable exceptions going to those in the room.

"This was an extraordinary day and we're very pleased with the results. We are witnessing a renewed strength in the market in all categories," said Susan Abeles, Bonhams Head of US Jewellery. Virginia Salem, the Director of the Jewellery Department in New York added, "The auctions saw both coloured and colourless diamonds exceeding their high estimates, with excellent prices realised for signature jewellery, as well as fine quality coloured stones."

The auctions' top lot was also the Fine Jewellery catalogue's cover lot, a brilliant rectangular diamond ring weighing 12.13 carats. Achieving $482,500, the ring more than doubled its pre-auction estimate after a fierce telephone bidding war. The ring came from the Beverly Hills collection of Mrs. Daniel J Eget, wife of the late steel tycoon.

Coloured diamonds proved very popular, reinforcing current market trends. Coming from the private collection of a Florida gentleman, a fancy coloured diamond and diamond ring featuring a 16.03 carat square fancy deep yellow diamond realised $290,500. An 8.5 carat pear-shaped fancy intense yellow diamond ring more than doubled its pre-auction estimate to sell for $266,500.

A fancy colored diamond and diamond ring set with a cut-cornered square modified brilliant-cut fancy deep yellow diamond, weighing 16.03 carats, flanked by fancy-cut diamonds; estimated remaining total diamond weight: 2.00 carats; mounted in eighteen karat gold; size 5 (with sizer). Sold for US$ 290,500 inc. premium. Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams.

A fancy colored diamond and diamond ring centering a pear-shaped fancy intense yellow diamond, weighing 8.50 carats, flanked by triangular and baguette-cut diamond geometric shoulders and a plain mount; mounted in platinum; size 7. Sold for US$ 266,500 inc. premium. Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams.

The trend for art deco jewellery continued, with a 1923 Oscar Heyman & Brothers diamond and sapphire bracelet more than tripling its pre-auction estimate to sell for $92,500. Featuring French-cut sapphires and a total diamond weight of 24.60 carats, the striking geometric design embodied 1920s chic.

An art deco diamond and sapphire bracelet, Oscar Heyman & Brothers, circa 1923 of geometric design, set throughout with transitional and square step cut-diamonds, with French-cut sapphire detail; centering three triangular-cut diamonds, weighing 2.87 carats total; with maker's mark for Oscar Heyman & Brothers; no. 10517; estimated remaining total diamond weight: 24.60 carats; mounted in platinum; length: 7 1/8in. Sold for US$ 92,500 inc. premium. Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams.

Harry Winston signature jewels achieved some of the day's highest prices. Another highlight from the Florida gentleman's collection was an emerald and diamond necklace by the esteemed jeweller which realised $230,500. The classic Winston design featured a 13.45 rectangular-cut Columbian emerald surrounded by an additional 32 carats of diamonds. A 1968 pair of Harry Winston diamond ear clips featuring two round brilliant cut diamonds of approximately 2 carats each sold for $74,500, an indication that the market for fine jewellery from the 1960s and 1970s is indeed growing.

An emerald and diamond necklace, Harry Winston. Designed as cut-cornered rectangular-cut emerald, weighing 13.45 carats, within a pear and marquise-cut diamond cluster surround, completed by a similarly designed necklace; necklace signed Winston, pendant signed HW for Harry Winston; with signed box; estimated total diamond weight: 32.00 carats; mounted in platinum and eighteen karat white gold; length: 16in. Sold for US$ 230,500 inc. premium. Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams.

A pair of diamond earclips, Harry Winston, 1968. each set with a round brilliant-cut diamond, weighing 2.00 and 2.04 carats, within a round brilliant-cut diamond surround; unsigned; remaining total diamond weight: 2.68 carats; mounted in platinum; length: 1/2in. Sold for US$ 74,500 inc. premium. Courtesy of Bonhams.

Bonhams next Fine Jewellery auction in New York will take place October 17th.