16.90 carat diamond ring highlights Bonhams New York Fine Jewelry Sale

The Bonhams New York Fine Jewelry Sale will be highlighted by a 16.90 carat diamond ring. The 180 lots set to go under the hammer on September 19th, will also include Kashmir sapphires and signed jewelry from Cartier, Harry Winston, René Lalique and Raymond Templier, magnificent diamonds and Colombian emeralds.

The Superb Diamond Ring leading the sale is a 16.90 carats step-cut diamond ring, set with round brilliant-cut diamond shoulders and is estimated at US$ 1,600,000-2,200,000. The diamond is certified as D color, Internally Flawless and classified as Type IIa, meaning that it has been recognized as the most chemically pure and with exceptional optical transparency.

Susan Abeles, Head of Jewelry, Bonhams US, says: "This distinctive stone embodies rarity according to every criterion by which a diamond is measured: color, cut, clarity and transparency. Type IIa diamonds make up less than two per cent of all natural diamonds and are extremely rare. This is a phenomenal specimen and its crystal limpid characteristics will attract clients who are searching for the finest example of a diamond to add to their jewelry collection."

Many of the most famous diamonds throughout history have been Type IIa: the world's largest cut diamond – the Cullinan, the Koh-i-Noor and the Hope Diamond.

The second notable lot is An Important Sapphire and Diamond Ring. The oval-shaped sapphire, weighing 7.54 carats, set within a surround of round brilliant-cut diamonds, is estimated at US$ 375,000-575,000. It is accompanied by two reports stating the sapphire is of Kashmir origin and has no indication of heat.

Among other Kashmir sapphires on sale are:

A sapphire and diamond ring by Stephen Russell featuring a sugarloaf cabochon sapphire, weighing 5.33 carats, set within a frame of old European cut diamonds. It is estimated at US$ 150,000-250,000. It is accompanied by an AGL report stating the sapphire as: Classic Kashmir origin, no indications of heat or clarity enhancement.

A sapphire and diamond ring. This ring features a mixed-cut Kashmir sapphire, weighing 1.66 carats, flanked by two old European-cut diamonds, weighing approximately 2.50 carats, set throughout with similarly cut diamonds. It is also accompanied by an AGL stating the sapphire has no indications of heat or clarity enhancement and has a pre-sale estimate of US$ 28,000-35,000.

The sale will also include lots featuring emeralds. The top lot in this section is An Emerald and Fancy Colored diamond ring estimated at US$ 200,000 - 300,000. The ring features an oval-shaped modified brilliant-cut emerald, weighing 7.00 carats, flanked by similarly cut Fancy Vivid Yellow diamonds. The emerald is Colombian origin and the Fancy Vivid Yellow diamonds weigh 1.09 carats and 1.04 carats and are VVS2 and VS1 clarity respectively.

One of the largest colored stones to be offered in the sale is a Rare Black Opal and Diamond Pendant/Brooch estimated at US$ 200,000-300,000. This extraordinary opal of approximately 48.80 carats, is set within an old European-cut diamond frame and originates from Australia, the primary source of black opals.

Susan Abeles adds: "The most rare opals display a very vivid play of color which ranges across the entire spectrum and are rarely found in large sizes. This stone exhibits a remarkable confetti explosion of red, orange, blue and green flashes. This, combined with its significant size, sets this opal in a unique league and makes it a prized gemstone."

Harry Winston, Cartier, René Lalique and David Webb are some of the signed pieces to feature in the sale. Highlighted lots include an Important Diamond and Ruby Bracelet by Harry Winston, estimated at US$ 180,000-250,000; a pair of Diamond and Fancy Colored Diamond Earrings by Harry Winston estimated at US$ 75,000-95,000; an Art Deco Diamond Brooch by Raymond Templier, circa 1930, estimated US$ 50,000-70,000; an Enamel and Glass Medusa Pendant by René Lalique, circa 1905, estimated at US$ 30,000-50,000; a Diamond Necklace by Cartier, estimated US$ 100,000-150,000.

Fine jewelry from the personal collection of Gigi Guggenheim Danziger, wife of the former owner of Cartier Paris will go under the hammer for the first time at the September sale. The collection features 32 pieces of fine jewelry, with the earliest piece dating back to 1957. It includes a number of signed Cartier pieces from the 1960s and 1970s when the Danziger family owned Cartier Paris.

Susan Abeles, Head of Jewelry for Bonhams US, says: "We have a really interesting sale this September which features best in class colorless diamonds, Fancy colored diamonds, Kashmir sapphires and some really wonderful examples of signed jewelry by world renowned houses and designers which are always in demand."

An $8 garage sale diamond, emerald and ruby brooch, circa 1900, was purchased at a garage sale in Ohio a number of years ago for $8.00. The owner gave the brooch to her daughter, who did not give it a second thought. On a chance visit to a jeweler many months later, when sharing the story about how she acquired it to the jeweller, she was told the brooch was not costume, it was real. Bonhams was then approached and its jewelry experts sent the stones in the brooch to be tested by the Gemological Institute of America and reports confirmed they were gem quality and of the highest standard. The brooch was consigned for auction and has a pre-sale estimate of US$ 20,000 - 30,000. Set throughout with old European-cut diamonds, the brooch features an old mine-cut diamond, D color, VS1 clarity, weighing 1.39 carats, a rectangular-shaped emerald originating from Colombia, weighing approximately 1.50 carats, an oval-shaped Burmese ruby, weighing approximately 0.60 carat.