16.9-Carat Diamond Ring Fetches $1.8M at Bonhams

New York--A 16.9-carat diamond ring garnered $1.8 million at Bonham’s New York Fine Jewelery Sale Tuesday, falling at the lower end of its pre-sale estimate of $1.6 to $2.2 million.

A private U.S. buyer bought the step-cut, type IIA, D color, internally flawless diamond.

Susan Abeles, head of jewelry for Bonhams U.S., said of the stone: “This is one of the finest examples of a diamond there is, given its rarity, color, cut, clarity and transparency. It was admired widely during our previews in New York, L.A., Geneva and Hong Kong and the diamond was extraordinarily charming.”

Fine jewelry from the personal collection of Gigi Guggenheim Danziger, whose husband owned Cartier for four years, also was part of the auction, including many signed Cartier pieces.

Highlights from the 32 Danziger lots included a Cartier diamond necklace with three rectangular-shaped diamonds serving as its focal point, with round brilliant-cut diamonds set throughout, which fetched $37,500.


A Cartier ruby and diamond brooch, with the center diamond weighing 4.24 carats, garnered $46,000. Danziger wore it to the London premier of “The Godfather.” It was an anniversary present from her husband.


Danziger’s Cartier sapphire and diamond brooch went for $37,500. It featured a cushion-shaped modified step-cut sapphire, weighing approximately 7.10 carats, surrounded by marquise and pear-shaped diamonds.


Several Kashmir sapphires fetched high prices at Bonhams Fine Jewelry sale, including a 5.33-carat cabochon sapphire ring by Stephen Russell that also featured old European cut diamonds. The sapphire had no indications of heat or clarity enhancement. An online buyer paid $235,000 for the piece.


A cushion-shaped, mixed-cut sapphire weighing 5.30 carats and framed by a halo of old European cut diamonds, sold for $230,000. The no-heat sapphire was only expected to fetch between $100,000 and $150,000.


Similarly, an emerald ring made a splash at the auction, garnering $235,000. It featured an oval-shaped, modified brilliant cut 7-carat Colombian emerald flanked by similarly cut fancy vivid yellow diamonds weighing 1.09 carats and 1.04 carats.


Signed jewelry was also a hit with buyers, with a sapphire and diamond clip brooch by Oscar Heyman fetching $87,500 and an enamel and glass Medusa pendant by Rene Lalique selling for $69,500.

And, in what was possibly the most interesting lot of the bunch, a circa 1900 diamond, emerald and ruby brooch purchased at a garage sale for $8 in Ohio five years ago sold for $26,000 after a round of