Cartiered Away: Outstanding Results from Bonhams Jewellery Sale

A fine aquamarine, sapphire and diamond sautoir, by Cartier, circa 1920. Sold for £216,000 © 2002-2009 Bonhams 1793 Ltd

Yesterday's jewellery sale at Bonhams New Bond Street demonstrated that for high quality fine jewellery a phenomenal price can be commanded, with the one Cartier sautoir being sold for £216,000 from the pre-sale estimate of £15,000- £20,000. The vertically aligned pendant set with two step-cut aquamarines, the largest cut-cornered stone to the centre, connected by cabochon sapphire and brilliant and single-cut diamond geometric links, terminating in an aquamarine briolette drop, suspended from a woven cord necklace with four rose-cut diamond finials, unsigned, necklace length 62.0cm., Cartier fitted case is a modern replacement. According to family tradition, this piece was executed by Cartier as a private commission and incorporates aquamarines purchased by the vendor's relatives in South America in the early 20th century. See also lots 137 and 150 for other privately commissioned jewels belonging to the same vendor. Accompanied by a Cartier certificate of authenticity.

The sale reached a total of £1.8m, with 88% sold by value. An array of stunning pieces exceeded expectations on the day, including coloured stones, diamonds and signed period jewels. Other pieces by Cartier including an art deco diamond strap bracelet, by Cartier, circa 1925, which sold £69,600 from a guide price of £20,000 to £30,000. Set to the centre with an openwork buckle motif between shoulders of finely pierced millegrain detail, on an articulated brick-link strap, to a similarly shaped buckle clasp, set throughout with old brilliant-cut diamonds, diamonds approximately 15.80 carats total, signed Cartier and numbered, French assay marks and maker's mark, length 18.5cm.

An art deco diamond strap bracelet, by Cartier, circa 1925. Sold for £69,600 © 2002-2009 Bonhams 1793 Ltd

A sapphire and diamond cluster ring, also by Cartier, with the sapphire weighing 2.37cts, of Kashmir origin sold for £21,000. This equated to an outstanding price per carat of £8,900. The cushion-shaped sapphire, weighing 2.37 carats, within a surround of brilliant-cut and pear-shaped diamonds, diamonds approximately 2.80 carats total, signed Cartier London and numbered, ring size L, maker's case; Accompanied by an Anchor Cert certificate, stating that the sapphire is of Kashmir origin with no evidence of heat treatment. Report number 1/18109, dated 30th July 2009.

A sapphire and diamond cluster ring, by Cartier. Sold for £21,000 © 2002-2009 Bonhams 1793 Ltd

Other coloured stones which achieved outstanding prices included a fine art deco emerald and diamond ring, circa 1925, of Colombian origin which sold for £162,000 from a guide price of £30,000 to £40,000. The cut-cornered step-cut emerald, weighing 8.41 carats, between demi-lune and baguette-cut diamond shoulders, diamonds approximately 1.85 carats total, ring size M½, modern Cartier replacement case. According to family tradition, this piece was executed by Cartier as a private commission and incorporates an emerald purchased by the vendor's relatives in South America in the early 20th century. See also lots 137 and 151 for other Cartier jewels belonging to the same vendor. Accompanied by a Gübelin Gem Lab certificate, stating that the emerald is of Colombian origin, with indications of minor clarity enhancement. Certificate number 0907062, dated 15th July 2009.

A fine art deco emerald and diamond ring, circa 1925. Sold for £162,000 © 2002-2009 Bonhams 1793 Ltd

Diamonds remained a firm favourite with a fine diamond single-stone ring with brilliant-cut diamond, weighing 8.23cts, I colour, VVS1 clarity, selling for £93,600 (price per carat = £11,400); Accompanied by an Anchor Cert certificate, stating that the diamond is I colour, VVS1 clarity. Certificate number 1/17858-001, dated 5th June 2009.

A diamond single-stone ring. Sold for £93,600 © 2002-2009 Bonhams 1793 Ltd

An impressive pair of diamond earrings, sold for £102,000. Each articulated drop claw-set with an old brilliant-cut diamond, weighing 10.55 and 10.42 carats respectively, suspended from a smaller old brilliant-cut diamond surmount via an openwork baguette-cut diamond geometric connecting link, length 4.5cm.

An impressive pair of diamond pendent earrings, circa 1960. Sold for £102,000 © 2002-2009 Bonhams 1793 Ltd

A diamond single-stone ring with a step-cut diamond, weighing 6.30cts, G colour, Vs1 clarity sold for £74,400 (price per carat £11,800).

A diamond single-stone ring. Sold for £74,400 © 2002-2009 Bonhams 1793 Ltd

Other elite jewellers featured in the sale included stunning signed pieces by William Asprey, Boucheron, Buccellati, Bulgari and Van Cleef and Arpels.

Jean Ghika, Director of UK and Europe at Bonhams Jewellery department comments: "We are delighted with yesterday's results which clearly demonstrate that the market is buoyant for jewels of exceptional quality and rarity. Our top lots, the aquamarine sautoir by Cartier and the art deco emerald ring, far exceeded our expectations. Competition for rare period pieces is fierce."