Impressive $377,000 Ring Sells at Litchfield Auctions Jewelry Sale

Litchfield, CT – A brilliant combination of quality and elegance produced record-breaking results in Litchfield Auctions’ important and fine jewelry sale on September 15.

The curated 360-lot auction achieved a 100% sell-through rate, with most items selling at or above estimate. Overall, the sale realized $960,500 with premium, doubling its presale estimate. With a live crowd of auction-goes present at the gallery, there were also hundreds of bidders watching the sale online, and a record number of phone bids scheduled for the auction.

Lot 108, 6 Carat Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Ring; Sold for $377,000

The top lot was an exceptional 6-carat Kashmir sapphire ring set with 1.20 carats of baguette diamonds. The ring came from the New York estate of Rosalie Coe Weir. Having a pre-sale estimate of $100,000/150,000, bidding took over on auction day when the ring opening at a bid of $50,000 with twelve phone bidders waiting in the wings. Competition between the phone bids racqueted, driving the final price to a whopping $377,000 with premium, swiftly establishing this single ring as one of the highest priced objects to sell at Litchfield Auctions. 

Though several estates were featured in the auction, the Weir collection set the stage for fantastic highlights all around. A timeless 4-carat diamond and platinum engagement ring sold for $78,000; a striking 7-carat Burmese sapphire and diamond ring at $59,800; a pair of Cartier diamond brooch clips $29,900; a French-cut diamond tennis bracelet $26,000; and a single 3.29-carat cushion cut loose diamond went for $20,800.

Designer gems and jewels also took the lead with strong bids and sale results exceeded auction estimates. A Cartier ruby and platinum tennis bracelet went out the door for $24,050; a Cartier ruby and diamond cocktail ring at $16,900; a Tiffany & Co. emerald and diamond dinner ring sold for $10,075; and a Cartier emerald and diamond cluster ring went for $4,940.

Lot 3, Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co, Salamander Brooch: Sold for $6,825

Figural brooches were also some of the crowd’s favorite items, including an 18K gold and jeweled salamander brooch by Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. which sold for $6,825; a Van Cleef and Arpels 18K gold rabbit with emerald eyes and a ruby nose at $5,070; and an 18K gold modernist horse head brooch for $4,290.

Lot 90, 5-Strand Natural Pearl Necklace, Diamond Clasp; Sold for $8,775

Other highlights in the sale included a 5-strand natural pearl necklace with diamond clasp that sold for eight-times its estimate at $8,775; an 18K yellow gold link necklace $5,590; an Angela Cummings 18K gold link bracelet $3,770; and a lady’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual DateJust 31 watch from the collection of Tony Award nominated actress Jo Sullivan Loesserwhich sold for $4,680.

A select portion of the sale was dedicated to contemporary and artist-made jewelry, many in cloisonné and enamel with naturalistic motifs. Prices in this section of the sale also saw strong bidding and high value in their sales. A statement necklace with a beetle pendant on silver with turquoise beads by Kristin Schwartz aka Holemansold for $4,940; a cloisonné enamel sea life necklace went for $4,810; and an impressive puka shell crab necklace at $3,510. Additionally, a lapis lazuli bead necklace went for $2,340, and a pendant in the form of a Sugpiag woman by artist Denise Wallace more than tripled its high estimate at a sales price of $3,770.