Bonhams Set to Sparkle in September Jewellery Sale

A magnificent late art deco diamond ring is the highlight of the Bonhams Fine Jewellery sale which will take place in New Bond Street on September 22nd. The Asscher-cut diamond, weighing 6.82 carats, is D colour, potentially flawless and Type IIa. Type IIa diamonds are the most chemically pure type of diamond and possess exceptional optical transparency. Famous gem diamonds that are Type IIa include the Cullinan I and the Koh-i-noor. This ring, estimated at £150,000-200,000, has never before been seen at auction and its colour, clarity and shape are exquisite.

The sale also features two other impressive gem-quality diamond rings: a brilliant-cut diamond, weighing 3.00 carats, D colour, Internally Flawless, estimated at £70,000 – 90,000 and a pear-shaped diamond, weighing 5.00 carats, D colour, VS2 clarity, estimated at £80,000 – 100,000.

Bonhams is also delighted to present a superb selection of antique 19th century jewellery, which is seen increasingly infrequently on the market. A late 19th century sapphire and diamond necklace, estimated at £45,000 - 55,000 and an early 19th century diamond necklace with circular clusters of cushion-shaped diamonds, estimated at £25,000 – 30,000, are both outstanding examples of their type.

A further highlight is an early 20th century emerald and diamond choker/ bracelet combination. Designed as a highly articulated series of panels of brilliant and single-cut diamonds with rectangular and calibré-cut emeralds, the choker separates to form a pair of bracelets. This fantastic piece is estimated at £10,000 – 15,000.

A rare catalogue of Henry Philip Hope's collection of pearls and precious stones will also be offered in this sale. Published in 1839, this volume sets out his celebrated collection in its entirety, including the famous Hope Pearl and the infamous Hope Diamond, the extraordinary blue diamond of 45.52 carats, once believed to be cursed, which had been part of the French crown jewels and is now in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. The book, which belonged to the Hope family and has since passed by descent to the vendor, is estimated at £2,000-3,000.

Jean Ghika, Director of the Jewellery Department comments, "we are delighted to be chosen to handle the sale of such an exceptional selection of diamonds and antique and period jewels and anticipate they will be strongly competed for on the day of the sale".

www.bonhams.com/jewellery

For further press information please contact Alex Heffler on 0207 468 8210 or alexandra.heffler@bonhams.com / press@bonhams.com

Notes for Editors

Bonhams
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further five throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Boston in the USA; Toronto, Canada; and France, Monaco, Australia, Hong Kong and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 27 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. By the end of 2009, Bonhams had become UK market leaders in ten key specialist collecting areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com (May 2010)