News-Antique.com - Sep 24,2009 - Skinner, Inc., one of the nation’s leading auction houses, today announced the stunning success of its Tuesday, September 15th Fine Jewelry sale. Rare and impressive colored diamonds and gemstones from two collections – one from the famed ballroom dancer, Verna E. Winegar and other from an All My Children’s actress – were hotly contested by a number of bidders. The sale’s overall theme was “big and bold” with one-of-a-kind pieces fetching considerable prices. With buyer’s premium, the auction took in $2,148,915.00, nearly a half million dollars over the pre-sale estimate high of $1.3M.
The top seller of the day was a fancy twin-stone diamond ring, set with an intense blue pear shaped diamond weighing 1.26 cts., and a brownish pink diamond weighing 1.20 cts. (lot 308) estimated at $80,000 to $120,000, but selling for an astounding $225,150. Other top sellers included a vivid yellow diamond solitaire weighing 3.65 cts. (lot 390) estimated at $15,000 to $25,000, but going for $68,730.00; a Cartier coral and diamond flower clip/brooch (lot 652) estimated at $10,000 to $15,000 and selling for $74,062; a citrine and diamond Cartier cuff bracelet (lot 635) estimated at $15,000 to $20,000 and bringing $94,800; and a platinum, ruby and diamond ring (lot 441) estimated at $1,000 to $1,500, but realizing about 35 times its estimated value to land at $53,325.
According to Gloria Lieberman, director of Fine Jewelry for Skinner, “While we expected a great sale based on the caliber of material we were offering, we were still pleasantly surprised at the outcome given the tough economic times.” Lieberman continued, “It just goes to show that regardless of market conditions, there will always be a desire for the rare, the unusual, the quirky, the signed. This is what this sale was all about.”
Additional pieces that significantly exceeded expectations included a colored diamond and diamond ring set with forty-five diamond melee (lot 290) estimated at $20, 000 to $25,000 and selling for $41,475; a gorgeous 18k gold, carved emerald, coral and onyx suite (lot 573) estimated at $6,000 to $8,000, going for $22,515; a citrine and diamond ring (lot 636) estimated at $4,000 to $6,000, bringing in $35,550; and a Cartier 18kt gold and ruby ring (lot 634) estimated at $8,000 to $10,000, that brought in $20,145.
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About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Paintings & Prints, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books
