Diamonds sparkle in Somerset

A set of sparkling results at a Somerset auction house saw fine quality gemstones much in demand.

Lawrences’ of Crewkerne’s 350-lot selection of jewellery and watches saw some frantically keen bidding, including such results as £3170 for a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust, among other good prices. A lot of loose diamonds, totaling 35 carats, set the scene for what was to follow as they made £7320. A ruby and diamond cluster ring took £2440, a Victorian pink topaz cruciform pendant was bid to £2920 and a cased Victorian diamond and pearl heart-shaped locket pendant made £2800.

The sale’s two highest prices were paid for a Victorian pink topaz and gold parure, comprising a necklace, a pendant and two pairs of earrings within in a fitted case from a Yorkshire jeweller. This lot exceeded hopes of £8000-10000 to take £16400. Lawrences’ specialist, Miranda Bingham, commented, “I was thrilled that the Victorian pink topaz parure commanded such a good price. Pink stones seem to be everyone’s favourite at the moment, and this was an exceptionally fine example of a Victorian set of jewellery that was still intact and in its original case, which always makes it more appealing. It was also interesting to have a hand written note explaining how it come down through the vendor’s family”.

Elsewhere, top honours went to a brilliant-cut solitaire diamond ring. Guided at £30,000-40,000, the ring attracted some steely bidding before being bought for £43,900. “Diamonds will always be a firm favourite,” observed Miranda. “This lot was exceptional not only for its size at 3.82 carats, but more so in its colour grading which at E, is only one grading down from the highest colour grading of D, and in its clarity grading at VVS2. The results of the jewellery sale proved that it is the unusual and fine quality items that seem to exceed all expectations.”