Gemmes & Gemmologie

Los Angeles – This month Bonhams Natural History department will present two distinct online sales, The Zen Garden: Mineral Decor for the Home and Garden, August 19 – 30, and Gemstones and Exotic Gemstone Jewelry, August 19 – 29. With more than 200 lots overall, The Zen Garden sale will feature a significant private single-owner collection of self-collected mineral works primarily from California's Death Valley and Palm Desert, as well as a number of scholar rocks dating back as far as the Qing Dynasty. Of particular... [Lire la suite]

Lot 51. 21.77 carats Crystal Opal with Multi-Color Fire, Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia. Estimate US$ 35,000 - 45,000 (€ 35,000 - 44,000). © Bonhams A large oval cabochon crystal opal with slight potch to the underside having a rolling flash play-of-color dominated by bright reddish orange and a full array of hues. Weighing approximately 21.77 carats and measuring 26.5 x 16.3 x 7.5mm. Bonhams. The World of Gold, Opals and Other Phenomenal Gems, Los Angeles, 30 June 2020, 10:00 PDT

Lot 52. 26.01 carats Stunning Large Blue Green Opal, Lighting Ridge, New South Wales, Australia. Estimate US$ 40,000 - 50,000 (€ 35,000 - 44,000). © Bonhams A large and impressive "nobby" opal (nodule) with a black base color and a vivid broad rolling flash of color electric green mixed with blue and purple and a dash of orange, in a pattern known in the opal hobby as "straw" pattern, with a bar of orange at the side. Weighing approximately 26.01 carats and measuring 30.1 x 18.5 x 7.0mm. Bonhams. The World... [Lire la suite]

Lot 53. 26.01 carats Black Opal with "Grass" Pattern, Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia. Estimate US$ 45,000 - 55,000 (€ 40,000 - 49,000). © Bonhams A large and impressive "nobby" opal (nodule) with a black base color and a vivid broad rolling flash of color electric green mixed with blue and purple and a dash of orange, in a pattern known in the opal hobby as "straw" pattern, with a bar of orange at the side. Weighing approximately 26.01 carats and measuring 30.1 x 18.5 x 7.0mm. Bonhams.... [Lire la suite]

Lot 58. 36.92 carats Midnight Black Opal with Red and Green Pattern Cathedral Window, Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia. Estimate US$ 55,000 - 65,000 (€ 49,000 - 58,000). © Bonhams This stunning "nobby" opal cabochon (nodule opal) has a midnight black base color with a "cathedral window" patterned effect of broad patches of vivid green, vermilion red, orange and yellow. Such large opals with a rich saturation of color are now difficult to find in the marketplace. Weighing approximately 36.92 carats and... [Lire la suite]

Lot 58. 20.88 carats Black "Nobby" Opal with Multi-color Fire, Kelly's Field, Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia. Estimate US$ 60,000 - 80,000 (€ 53,000 - 71,000). © Bonhams With its inky, midnight black base color, this fine nodule opal displays large, broad flagstone pattern of color in chartreuse green, orange, yellow, red and electric blue. This is a notable pattern opal suitable for the knowledgeable collector. Weighing approximately 20.88 carats and measuring 25.56 x 16.47 x 7.37mm. ... [Lire la suite]

Lot 114. 41 carats Black Opal with Floral Pattern Red Play of Color, Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia. Estimate US$ 70,000 - 80,000 (€ 62,000 - 71,000). © Bonhams A large and impressive "nodule" opal (a nobby), having an incredible pinfire play-of-color dominated by reds and orange with minor flashes of green and blue. This is an exceptional opal with a true black base color and a notable offering for the knowledgeable collector. Weighing approximately 41.40 carats and measuring 37.99 x 22.07 x... [Lire la suite]

DALLAS, TX.- A collection of 322 specimens from the estate of one of the most legendary mineral collectors of the last 50 years will be offered in Heritage Auctions’ Rock H. Currier Collection of Fine Minerals Auction Aug. 26 in Dallas, Texas. Currier was a fixture at mineral trading shows who traveled the globe collecting minerals for his business, Jewel Tunnel Imports (JTI), and simultaneously assembling a private collection of his own, a lifelong passion that makes the offered collection almost a debut... [Lire la suite]

Lot 72036. Gold Nugget "Lightning Bolt", Victoria, Australia; 10.63 x 2.36 x 1.43 inches (27.00 x 6.00 x 3.64 cm), 1,241 grams (39.9 oz t). Estimate: $70,000 - $100,000.  DALLAS, TX.- An enormous, 40-ounce gold nugget, nicknamed “Lightning Bolt” for its jolting, bright yellow glow and rarity beyond any diamond found on Earth, could take top lot honors in in Heritage Auctions’ Nature & Science Auction Aug. 18. The 11-inch nugget was discovered in Victoria, Australia, and experts have deemed the... [Lire la suite]

Lot 3246Y. Conch Pearl, Strombus gigas or "Queen Conch", Caribbean Sea. Weighing approximately 8.88 carats and measuring 11.84 x 10.26 x 9.52mm. Estimate US$ 10,000 - 12,000 (€ 8,400 - 10,000). © Bonhams 2001-2018 The present offering is of large size: a lovely, non-nacreous pearl that has a classic ovoid shape, as well as an attractive rose color and excellent overall flame pattern iridescence. Bonhams. THE WORLD OF GOLD, OPALS AND OTHER "PHENOMENAL" GEMS, 15 May 2018, 10:00 PDT, LOS... [Lire la suite]