DALLAS, TX.- Fine jewelry sales surpassed $12 million this season at Heritage Auctions, setting a house record, as bidders chased exquisite diamonds and colored gemstones – some exceeding 11 carats. Cumulative sales were held Dec. 5-6 featuring important single-owner collections, including a special selection of jewelry from the private collection of Shirley Temple Black. 

"I researched and researched and I now know I picked the best house," said the client who consigned an 11.72-carat Kashmir Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum Ring, which took top lot honors at $670,000. "There is no doubt Heritage is a leader in fine jewelry and I'm happy to say there is more coming their way." 

11.72 carats Kashmir Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum Ring. Sold for $670,000. Photo Heritage Auctions

The ring features a cushion-cut sapphire measuring 12.37 x 10.78 x 8.45 mm weighing 11.72 carats, enhanced by baguette-cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 0.90 carat, set in platinum. An AGL report # CS 1079199, dated October 24, 2016, stating Natural Corundum, Origin Kashmir, No Gemological Evidence of Heat, Clarity Enhancement None. Gross weight 13.80 grams. Size: 7 (sizeable) 

A fresh-to-market Paraiba Tourmaline, Diamond, Platinum Ring for Tiffany & Co. sold for $250,000. A cherished Tiffany & Co. Diamond, Platinum Brooch, worn by both Shirley Temple and her mother Gertrude, sold for $250,000. Temple's 8.43-carat Diamond, Platinum Ring, a gift from her father, sold for $137,500. 

Shirley Temple's 5.39 carats Paraiba Tourmaline, Diamond, Platinum Ring, Tiffany & Co. Sold for $250,000. Photo Heritage Auctions

The ring features an oval-shaped tourmaline measuring 11.84 x 9.54 x 6.98 mm and weighing 5.39 carats, enhanced by triangle-cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 1.00 carat, set in platinum, marked Tiffany & Co. An AGL report # CS 1079921, dated November 15, 2016, stating Mineral Type: Natural Tourmaline, Variety: Paraiba, Provenance: Classic Brazil, accompanies the ring. Gross weight 8.49 grams. Size: 6 (sizeable)

Personal Collection of Shirley Temple Black. Diamond, Platinum, Double-Clip-Brooch, Tiffany & Co. Sold for $250,000. Photo Heritage Auctions

The brooch features full-cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 5.25 carats, enhanced by baguette-cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 1.75 carats, set in platinum, marked Tiffany & Co. Total diamond weight is approximately 7.00 carats. Gross weight 41.90 grams. Individual Clip Dimensions: 1-5/16 inches x 1 inch. Combined Dimensions: 2-3/4 inches x 1 inch

Personal Collection of Shirley Temple Black. 8.43 carats Diamond, Platinum Ring. Sold for $137,500. Photo Heritage Auctions

The ring features an emerald-cut diamond measuring 13.76 x 10.19 x 6.55 mm and weighing 8.43 carats, flanked by baguette-cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 0.35 carat, set in platinum. A GIA Laboratory Report # 5172185979, dated June 5, 2015, stating J color, VS1 clarity, accompanies the center diamond. Gross weight 5.40 grams. Size: 5 (sizeable) 

The single-owner Twelve Oaks Collection saw intense bidding for lots filled with Platinum, Diamond and Multi-Stone rings, which sold for $162,500. In one case, a dozen bidders competed for a lot of six pounds of Diamond, Multi-Stone, Platinum Semi-Mounts, which pushed the auction price to $137,500. The collection saw a total of eight lots sell for more than six-figures.  

"This auction was a game changer for us," said Jill Burgum, Senior Director of Jewelry at Heritage Auctions. "We have set strategic, aggressive goals to grow this department and we're delighted to hear our many consigners and thousands of bidders are happy with the results." 

Fine designs by Tiffany & Co. brought heavy bidding as a 6.01 carat pair of Diamond, Platinum Earrings sold for $150,000 and a Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum, Gold Ring sold for $125,000. Likewise, Tiffany's Sakura bracelet featuring buff-top Pink Sapphires and weighing a total of 24.57 carats, enhanced by full-cut diamonds weighing a total of 20.26 carats, sold for $112,500. A Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum Ring ended at $87,500.  

Pair of 6.01 carat Diamond, Platinum Earrings, Tiffany & Co. Sold for $150,000. Photo Heritage Auctions

The earrings feature round brilliant-cut diamonds measuring 9.14 - 9.23 x 5.70 mm and 9.19 - 9.27 x 5.75 mm weighing 3.01 carats each, set in platinum, marked Tiffany & Co. Accompanied by GIA Laboratory reports # 5171968135 and # 2173968136, dated October 19, 2016, stating D and E color, VVS2 clarity. Gross weight 6.52 grams. Diameter: 5/16 inch
*Note: earrings are designed for pierced ears

11.43 carats Madagascar Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum, Gold Ring, Tiffany & Co. Sold for $125,000. Photo Heritage Auctions

The ring features a cushion-shaped pink sapphire measuring 13.67 x 12.00 x 7.46 mm and weighing 11.43 carats, set in 18k gold, enhanced by triangle-shaped diamonds weighing a total of approximately 3.64 carats, set in platinum, marked Tiffany & Co. An AGL report # CS 1079919, dated November 16, 2016, stating Natural Corundum, Origin Madagascar, No Gemological Evidence of Heat, Clarity Enhancement None, accompanies the sapphire. Gross weight 10.36 grams. Size: 7-1/2 (sizeable)

Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Enamel, Platinum Sakura Bracelet, Tiffany & Co. Sold for $112,500. Photo Heritage Auctions

The Sakura bracelet features buff-top pink sapphires weighing a total of 24.57 carats, enhanced by full-cut diamonds weighing a total of 20.26 carats, accented by black enamel applied on platinum, marked Tiffany & Co. Gross weight 100.47 grams. Dimensions: 7-3/8 inches x 1-1/8 inche

11.45 carats Ceylon Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum Ring, Tiffany & Co. Sold for $87,500. Photo Heritage Auctions

The ring features a cushion-shaped pink sapphire measuring 14.94 x 11.92 x 7.66 mm and weighing approximately 11.45 carats, enhanced by oval-shaped diamonds weighing a total of approximately 1.60 carats, accented by baguette-cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 2.30 carats, set in platinum, marked Tiffany & Co. An AGL Laboratory report # CS 1079379, dated November 1, 2016, stating Natural Corundum, Origin Classic™ Ceylon (Sri Lanka), No Gemological Evidence of Heat, Clarity Enhancement None, accompanies the sapphire. Gross weight 13.70 grams. Size: 6 (sizeable)

Glittering, colored diamonds followed this season's trends by garnering multiple bids. An 8.28-carat Unmounted Fancy Yellow Diamond sold for $93,750 and a Fancy Intense Yellow Diamond, Diamond, Platinum Ring by Oscar Heyman Bros., from the personal collection of Shirley Temple, sold for $37,500. 

Personal Collection of Shirley Temple Black. 3.03 carats Fancy Intense Yellow Diamond, Diamond, Platinum Ring by Oscar Heyman Bros. Sold for $37,500. Photo Heritage Auctions

The ring features an oval-shaped fancy intense yellow diamond measuring 10.41 x 7.36 x 4.94 mm and weighing 3.03 carats, flanked by oval-shaped diamonds weighing a total of 0.80 carat, set in platinum. A GIA Laboratory report # 1172186081, dated June 5, 2015, stating Natural Fancy Intense Yellow color, SI1 clarity, accompanies the center diamond. Gross weight 6.30 grams. Size: 5 (sizeable)

Additional highlights include: 

• A Diamond, Platinum Ring weighing a combined 7.70 carats sold for $75,000, against a $10,000 estimate. 

• An 8.10-carat Diamond, Gold Ring sold for $75,000, from a private Texas estate. 

• A Florida estate consigned a Diamond, Platinum Ring, offering 5.80 carats, which ended at $75,000. 

• From the Twelve Oaks Collection, a stunning Diamond, Platinum, Gold Bracelet by Cartier sold for $65,625.