A diamond solitaire ring, Ruser set with a cut cornered rectangular step-cut diamond, weighing 9.08 carats, with tapered baguette-cut diamond shoulders; signed Ruser, estimated remaining diamond weight: 1.50 carats; mounted in platinum; size: 5 1/4. Sold for $461,000. Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams. 

New York — Bonhams, the third largest international fine art auction house, is pleased to announce its auction of Fine Jewellery on June 17 achieved more than $4.8 million with 83 percent of its 233 lots sold.

The leading lot of the auction was a Ruser signed diamond solitaire ring which sold for $461,000. The ring, set with a 9.08 carat step-cut diamond, was from the collection of Los Angeles luminary Onnalee Olson Doheny (1919-2013). Mrs. Doheny was widely recognised for her extensive and generous philanthropic work throughout the southern California community. A pair of Ruser diamond earclips, also from her collection, realised $81,250 (est. $30,000-50,000). Each girandole clip was designed as an articulated round brilliant-cut diamond cascade at a weight of 20.00 carats.

Susan Abeles, Bonhams' Head of U.S. Jewellery, commented, "Beautiful signature jewellery garnered attention and realised strong prices. The colourful flora and fauna collection of property from the estate of Onnalee Olson Doheny illustrates the strength of the current market."

Collections, such as that of Mrs. Doheny, and signed pieces by Boucheron, Bulgari, Cartier, David Webb, Ruser, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels and many others, attracted bidding interest from 21 countries around the world and performed superbly. Interest was especially high toward rings.

Stand-out ring examples included a diamond solitaire ring, set with a cut-cornered rectangular step-cut natural faint pink diamond of 7.09 carats flanked by tapered baguette-cut diamonds, that achieved $293,000 and a Tiffany & Co., signed, diamond solitaire ring, set with a round brilliant-cut diamond of 3.22 carats with bullet-shaped diamond shoulders, that took in $87,500.

A diamond solitaire ring, set with a cut-cornered rectangular step-cut natural faint pink diamond, weighing 7.09 carats, flanked by tapered baguette-cut diamonds; estimated remaining diamond weight: 1.10 carats; mounted in platinum; size 6 1/4. Sold for  $293,000. Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams. 

A diamond solitaire ring, Tiffany & Co. set with a round brilliant-cut diamond, weighing 3.22 carats, with bullet-shaped diamond shoulders; signed Tiffany & Co., with signed box; mounted in platinum; size 6. Sold for $87,500. Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams. 

An eye-catching ruby and diamond brooch designed as an orchid, from a Seattle lady, achieved $161,000 (est. $50,000-70,000) while a Van Cleef & Arpels signed diamond, ruby and turquoise "Clip Danseuse" brooch made in 1943, from the collection of Mae Boettcher, danced into the heart of a bidder to the tune of $221,000 (est. $35,000-55,000).

Another Van Cleef & Arpels signed highlight of the sale was a pair of 'Mystery-Set' sapphire and diamond earclips, which sold for $137,000 (est. $115,000-125,000). Each was designed as a calibré-cut sapphire flowerhead, centering circular-cut diamond pistils.

A pair of 'Mystery-Set' sapphire and diamond earclips, Van Cleef & Arpels, each designed as a calibré-cut sapphire flowerhead, centering circular-cut diamond pistils; signed Van Cleef & Arpels, no. 36852, with French assay marks and maker's marks; estimated total diamond weight: 2.60 carats; mounted in eighteen karat gold and platinum; diameter: 1 3/8in. Sold for $137,000 (est. $115,000-125,000. Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams.

Additional earrings of note included a pair of emerald and diamond earclips that achieved $93,750 and a pair of emerald and diamond pendant earrings, each designed as circular-cut diamond ribbons suspending emerald drops, that sold for $87,500.

A pair of emerald and diamond earclips, each set with a cut-cornered rectangular step-cut emerald, weighing 6.38 and 6.72 carats, enhanced by a pear and marquise-cut diamond spray; estimated total diamond weight: 5.40 carats; mounted in platinum and eighteen karat gold; length: 1in. Sold for $93,750. Photo Bonhams.

A pair of emerald and diamond pendant earrings, each designed as a circular-cut diamond ribbons, suspending emerald drops, weighing 50.66 carats total, from pavé-set diamond caps; surmounts signed Boucheron; estimated total diamond weight: 6.45 carats; mounted in platinum; length: 2in.. Sold for $87,500. Photo Bonhams.

Also of note, a Bvlgari signed, peridot, citrine and diamond wide cuff bracelet in 18k, made in 2009, achieved $40,000.

Virginia Salem, the Director of the Jewellery Department at Bonhams in New York, said of the sale, "Private collections when offered as a comprehensive style are selling extremely well."