Bonhams Reports Stellar 2025 Jewelry Sales, Highlighting Rare Gems and Provenance

Bonhams has announced a highly successful year for its jewelry department in 2025, marked by robust sales across its global salerooms and a strong collector appetite for exceptional pieces. The auction house reported selling over 15,000 lots through 97 auctions, comprising 27 live and 70 online sales conducted across eight locations worldwide.

Cartier Tiara Leads a Year of High-Value Sales

The auction house’s top jewelry lot of 2025 was a magnificent Art Deco turquoise and diamond tiara by Cartier, circa 1930, formerly from the collection of Nancy, Viscountess Astor. This significant piece, which had not been on the market since being sold to Lord Astor by Cartier London in 1930, achieved $1.2 million—more than three times its pre-sale estimate—at Bonhams’ June ‘London Jewels’ sale. Jean Ghika, Bonhams Global Director, Jewelry, noted the successful sale of several storied single-owner collections, emphasizing the tiara’s exceptional appeal.

Key Highlights and Market Trends

Several other high-value lots underscored the strong market performance. A ring featuring a 6.92-carat cushion-shaped ‘royal blue’ sapphire of Kashmir origin, accented by diamonds, secured the second spot, selling for over triple its estimate at $1 million during the December jewelry auction in New York. Following closely was a ring centering a 10.37-carat step-cut Colombian emerald, renowned for its lack of clarity enhancement. This piece realized approximately $991,000 in the December ‘London Jewels’ sale, exceeding its pre-sale estimate by more than eight times.

Pear-shaped emerald pendants, weighing 64.37 and 63.19 carats respectively, also demonstrated strong demand, selling for approximately $782,000 at the ‘Hong Kong Jewels and Jadeite’ sale in November, more than three times their estimated value.

Ghika commented on the prevailing market trends: “The market continues to demonstrate a strong appetite for colored gemstones, colored diamonds, rare antique jewels, and signed pieces with provenance—jewels that capture the imagination.”

Top 10 Bonhams Jewelry Sales of 2025:

• 1. Cartier Turquoise and Diamond Tiara: Circa 1930, from the collection of Nancy, Viscountess Astor. Sold for $1,195,086.78 in London.
• 2. Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Ring: Featuring a 6.92-carat cushion-shaped ‘royal blue’ sapphire. Sold for $1,016,500 in New York.
• 3. Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring: Centering a 10.37-carat step-cut emerald with no clarity enhancement. Sold for £716,760 (approx. $991,000) in London.
• 4. Pair of Colombian Emerald Pendants: Weighing 64.37 and 63.19 carats. Sold for HK$6,100,000 (approx. $782,000) in Hong Kong.
• 5. Colombian Emerald Necklace: Graduated emeralds. Sold for $597,400 in New York.
• 6. Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond Ring: A 1.08-carat diamond of internally flawless clarity. Sold for HK$4,449,000 (approx. $570,000) in Hong Kong.
• 7. Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Ring: A 4.32-carat sapphire. Sold for $559,300 in New York.
• 8. Boucheron Art Nouveau Pendant: The ‘Juno’ pendant, circa 1900, featuring enamel, sapphire, and diamonds. Sold for $508,500 in New York.
• 9. ‘Kat Florence Lumina’ Paraíba-Type Tourmaline: An 181.61-carat unmounted tourmaline. Sold for HK$3,814,000 (approx. $487,000) in Hong Kong.
• 10. Tiffany & Co. Paraíba Tourmaline and Diamond Ring: Set with a 4-carat Paraíba tourmaline from Brazil. Sold for $483,100 in New York.

Bonhams’ Market Position

Bonhams maintains its position as the market leader in the UK jewelry sector, a title it has held for the past 15 consecutive years. The auction house operates salerooms in key global centers including London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Sydney, facilitating sales across diverse international markets.