Pretty Pieces, Big Names Bring Hearty Prices at John Moran’s August 28th Fine Jewelry Auction • Stunning jewelry lots from private collections make big impression on Moran’s buyers
• Luxury items, statement pieces bring out the bids
• Rising price of gold reflected in competitive sales price
News-Antique.com - Sep 14,2012 - As gold prices soared worldwide, John Moran’s second jewelry auction of 2012 came into full swing, contributing to a healthy turnout and robust hammer prices. Nearly 500 online bidders and hundreds more floor bidders were present to grab up the tremendous showing of more than 300 lots of fine jewelry – each and every piece from a private collection or estate.
Antique and Art Deco pieces were first to be offered up. From the start, buyers were anxious for an antique silver diamond and pearl pendant-brooch to make its way to the block . Featuring exquisite craftsmanship and divine detailing, this French piece, created circa 1870, was estimated to bring $1500 to $2500. It ultimately realized a price of $2700. There were two Art Deco diamond and emerald bracelets presented in this sale– the first, crafted circa 1920, carried the heftier estimate of $18,000 to $22,000, and featured an old European-cut diamond gauged at approximately 3.00 carats (graded J-K color and VS clarity), offset by 34 smaller old European and mine-cut diamonds and 16 fancy triangular-cut emeralds. The piece brought $24,000 at the block. A hotly contested Art Deco diamond dress set, signed Lacloche Freres followed soon after. The set, made up of a pair of double link cufflinks and three shirt studs, featuring a total of 3.5 carats of diamonds set into platinum brought out phone bidders galore, and saw a price realized of $13,200 – well over the estimated $5000 to $7000.
Á la recent trends in decorative arts and home furnishings, the aesthetics of retro and mid-century fine jewelry are currently in high demand. One such lot, a Cartier 18k gold hand brooch, set with rose and old-European cut diamonds as well as simulated emeralds and rubies, inspired fierce competition – every available phone line was tied up for bidding. Though conservatively estimated to bring $2000 to $3000, the bidding topped out at a very impressive $22,800 – earning a round of applause from all those in attendance. A darling pair of French gem-set bird brooches attracted much attention prior to the auction, going to a phone bidder for a song, at $6,900 (estimate: $3000 to $5000). These unique pieces, one with a cabochon ruby body and the other with a cabochon emerald body, were each set with diamonds in yellow and white 18k gold. A show-stopping platinum, diamond, and emerald dress set, crafted circa 1960 and signed Ruser, also caused a bit of a stir on the floor. Comprising a pair of swivel back cufflinks, and three shirt studs, the lot found a new owner at $6,600, just above the estimated $4000 to $6000. Shortly after, a pair of French 1950s platinum and diamond ear pendants went home with an online bidder for $13,200 (over the estimate $6000 to $8000). Set with nearly 12.5 carats of diamonds, the earrings are sure to make a statement at the new owner’s next cocktail party.
Speaking of statement pieces – two items late in the sale made a blockbuster
