18ct. Diamond Smashes Estimate at Bonhams

RAPAPORT An 18.04-carat diamond fetched $828,500 at Bonhams on Monday, exceeding its presale estimate of $400,000 to $600,000, Bonhams said Tuesday The emerald-cut, G-color, VS2-clarity ring flanked by trillion-cut diamonds led the company's New York Fine Jewelry sale "We saw some fierce bidding for this magnificent diamond and are delighted with how well it performed," said Caroline Morrissey, head of sales for the US jewelry division at Bonhams.

At the same sale, a solitaire ring by Royal de Versailles featuring a round brilliant-cut, 7.01-carat diamond garnered $275,000, beating its estimate of $180,000 to $250,000 A cushion-shaped modified brilliant-cut, 18.76-carat, fancy-light-yellow diamond ring flanked by white, trillion-shaped diamonds fetched $231,250, smashing its estimate of $100,000 to $150,000 A rectangular-shaped emerald-cut, 3303-carat, deep-intense-blue Sri Lankan sapphire ring failed to find a buyer, Bonhams said.

The auction house will hold its Fine Jewelry sale in London on Wednesday, featuring a 24.31-carat diamond estimated at $1.7 million to $2.3 million. . Source