12-carat diamond ring brings $143,750 in Andrew Jones' first Fine Jewelry, Watches & Timepieces sale
The Californer/10093043

LOS ANGELES - Californer -- A dazzling 12-carat emerald cut diamond (K VVS1) and platinum ring slipped onto a new finger for $143,750 in Andrew Jones Auctions' inaugural Fine Jewelry, Watches & Timepieces auction held September 16^th. The online auction, a tidy affair with just over 100 lots, achieved a 96 percent sell-through and totaled more than $700,000.

The quality merchandise was pulled from various private collections, highlighted by the collection of Mary and Lou Silver of Indian Wells, California. The Silver collection included the diamond and platinum ring, which was the sale's expected top lot. A Tiffany & Co. 5.41-carat oval brilliant cut natural fancy yellow diamond ring, also from the Silver collection, hit $50,000.

"This was a different type of sale for us – exclusively high-end jewelry and timepieces," said Andrew Jones, president and CEO of Andrew Jones Auctions. "We got to explore new territory, meet new clients and achieve fantastic results while doing so. Internet bidding exceeded our expectations for a first-time event, as 2,500 people registered to bid across multiple platforms."

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Following are additional highlights from the auction. Internet bidding was facilitated by AndrewJonesAuctions.com, Invaluable.com and LiveAuctioneers.com. Telephone and absentee bids were also accepted. All prices quoted in this report are inclusive of the buyer's premium.

The Mary and Lou Silver collection encompassed an amazing breadth and variety of jewelry and timepieces collected over a lifetime, and their items dominated the list of top lots. Just a few more pieces from the collection were sold as follows:

·         A 9.42-carat diamond (M-N-O, VS1-VS2) and 18kt gold ring blew past its pre-sale estimate of $12,000-$18,000 to reach $41,250.

·         A Clinton Ultra 18kt gold minute repeating perpetual calendar pocket watch, with additional complications, circa 1900, changed hands for $10,625.

·         An interesting Patek Philippe gilt brass solar powered square pendulette, circa 1965, knocked down for $4,000.

To learn more about Andrew Jones Auctions and the firm's upcoming slate of fall auctions, visit www.AndrewJonesAuctions.com.