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 note is a large, free-form orange calcite monolith contemplation stone on a Chinese carved custom-fitted wooden base, estimated at $10,000 – 15,000. Nearly seven feet tall and approximately 1,300 lbs., the colossal monolith is contour polished in order to dramatically contrast the orange hue with its black veining.

Lot 1000. A large, free-form orange calcite monolith contemplation stone, contour polished on all sides to reveal the orange hue with its dramatically contrasting black veining, on a Chinese carved custom-fitted wooden base. Measuring 80 x 26 x 13 in (203,2 x 66,04 x 33,02 cm) and weighing approximately 1300 lbs. Estimate US$10,000 - US$15,000. © Bonhams 2001-2022

Highlighting the scholar's rocks featured in the collection is a Qing Dynasty Taihu limestone scholar's rock on a fitted hardwood stand and naturally weathered with crags and crevices, estimated at $4,000 – 6,000. Chinese scholar stones are naturally occurring and selected for their ability to reflect nature based on four essential criteria - thinness, openness, perforations, and wrinkling. Common in the gardens of rulers and scholars throughout Chinese history, the stones are used for contemplation purposes.

 Lot 1001. Taihu Limestone Scholar's Rock on Base, China, Qing Dynasty. Measuring 28 x 20 x 13 in (71,12  x 50,8 x 33,02 cm). Estimate US$,4,000 - US$6,000. © Bonhams 2001-2022

The rock section naturally weathered with crags and crevices, reminiscent of a rising cloud of auspicious smoke, raised on a fitted hardwood stand. 

Running simultaneously, the Gemstones and Exotic Gemstone Jewelry sale will offer a range of incredible gemstones that can be utilized to craft unique pieces of jewelry as well as already expertly crafted pieces. A highlight of the gemstones in the sale is a large cushion-cut blue-green tourmaline with excellent luster, estimated at $40,000 - 50,000.

Lot 220. "Paraiba-type" Tourmaline, Mozambique. Weighing approximately 24.73 carats and measuring 19.32 x 16.97 x 12.01mm. Estimate US$40,000 - US$50,000. © Bonhams 2001-2022

A large cushion-cut blue-green tourmaline showing excellent luster and a rich saturation of hue which is known in the trade as "paraiba-type". 

Accompanied by a Gemological Institute of America report numbered 2195020152 dated January 16, 2018 stating that the violet brilliant cut 24.73 carats stone is natural tourmaline. Although this tourmaline contains copper and manganese, the properties are not consistent with what is called "paraiba tourmaline" in the trade. This tourmaline does not show any indication of heating.

Accompanied by an American Gemological Laboratory report number 111787 dated October 5, 2021 stating that the Blue-Green tourmaline is natural "Paraiba-type". Paraiba-type is a term/color variety applied by the AGL to the copper-bearing variety of elbaite tourmaline which was first discovered in the Paraiba state of Brazil, but may have originated from a different source. The present stone is stated to originate from Mozambique. This color variety of tourmaline is commonly the result of a relatively low temperature heating process. Tourmalines may be clarity enhanced to reduce the visibility of fissures. The stability of this type of enhancement is very good to good. Degree of clarity enhancement: Minor.

In addition, the sale will feature a rope-length necklace comprised of 79 reconstituted turquoise spheres with a bright robin's egg blue hue from the Sleeping Beauty Mine in Arizona. It is estimated at $2,000 – 3,000.

Lot 234. Turquoise rope-length necklace, Sleeping Beauty Mine, Arizona. Length 36 in. Estimate US$2,000 – 3,000. © Bonhams 2001-2022