Sotheby’s Australia’s first Important Jewels sale of the year illustrates the timeless appeal of diamonds with the magnificent pearl necklace by monture Van Cleef & Arpels with a detachable onyx and diamond ‘Egyptian-revival’ lotus pendant/brooch by Cartier (Lot 53, estimate: AUD$25,000-35,000), achieving AUD$115,900, more than four times the estimate.  A 15.27 carat diamond ring (Lot 54, estimate AUD$120,000-180,000) sold for AUD$176,900 and an 18 carat gold and 4.15 carat fancy vivid yellow diamond ring (Lot 55, estimate AUD$20,000-30,000) achieved AUD$ $67,100.  Further exceptional results included an 18 carat white gold, fancy intense purplish pink diamond and diamond ring by J Farren-Price (Lot 74, estimate AUD$70,000-100,000), which sold for AUD$85,400, while an early 20th century diamond rivière (Lot 106, estimate AUD$8,000-12,000), was highly contested, selling for AUD$ 51,240, more than six times the estimate.  An early 20th century diamond and emerald  pendant, with the central emerald weighing approximately 10.00 carats and the combined weight of the diamonds approximately 20.50 carats (Lot 109, estimate AUD$25,000-30,000), realised AUD$51,200.

 Geoffrey Smith, Chairman of Sotheby’s Australia, commented:  ‘The result achieved this evening reinforces Sotheby’s Australia’s long standing position as the leading auction house for Important Jewels.  The auction market for quality gemstones and designer jewels has continued to remain buoyant and our sales present jewels carefully selected for the Australian and International connoisseur, with pieces possessing a number of unique characteristics including rarity, authorship and craftsmanship.  Reflective of international market trends, demand has remained strong for designer jewels.’