DALLAS, TEXAS.- Colored diamonds stole the show during Heritage Auctions’ Holiday Fine Jewelry Signature® Auction on Monday, leading the event to a total of $4,850,511. Shining brightest was a fancy vivid pink diamond ring that sold for $187,500. Set in platinum and 18k rose gold, the ring features a gorgeous 1.03-carat pear-shaped pink diamond surrounded by approximately 1.60 carats of near-colorless diamonds. According to the Gemological Institute of America, only 1 in 10,000 diamonds has a fancy color, and fancy pink diamonds rank among the rarest of the rare.

Also catching bidders’ attention was a fancy yellow diamond ring by Neiman Marcus that realized $175,000. Hailing from the estate of Fort Worth, Texas, philanthropist Mildred Fender, the ring’s 11.94-carat yellow diamond is encircled by sparkling baguette-cut diamonds.

“It’s no surprise these jewels captivated our bidders,” says Jill Burgum, Heritage Auctions’ Executive Director of Fine Jewelry. “Colored diamonds are some of the rarest and most valuable treasures on Earth, and both of these rings hold exceptional examples of the sought-after gemstones.”

Other diamonds that dazzled in the Monday auction included a set of diamond and platinum rings that sold for $175,000; a diamond and platinum ring with an emerald-cut diamond weighing 5.51 carats that sold for $162,500; a diamond and platinum ring featuring a 7.32-carat emerald-cut diamond that also realized $162,500; a diamond and platinum ring with an emerald-cut diamond weighing 8.91 carats that sold for $106,250; and a diamond and platinum ring featuring a 5.89-carat square emerald-cut diamond that realized $103,125.

But it wasn’t just diamonds that had bidders in a frenzy. One of the most exciting moments in the Monday auction came courtesy of a magnificent Cartier Art Deco Jadeite jade, diamond and platinum necklace that sold for $100,000 – far surpassing its $10,000-$15,000 pre-auction estimate.

The auction also featured several designs by Verdura, the celebrated jewelry house founded by Duke Fulco di Verdura, who designed jewels for the likes of Coco Chanel, Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich. Among the highlights was a stunning 18k gold bracelet adorned with approximately 18.00 carats of emerald-cut diamonds that sold for $81,250. The bracelet was custom made by Verdura in 1965 for actress and photographer Jean Howard, who appeared in the 1931 edition of the Ziegfeld Follies and published two books: Jean Howard’s Hollywood: A Photo Memoir (1989) and Travels With Cole Porter (1991).




Other top lots in the holiday auction included:

A round brilliant-cut 5.71-carat diamond: $78,125

A rectangular step-cut 4.76-carat diamond: $78,125

A Cartier 3.01-carat diamond and platinum ring: $62,500

A Seaman Schepps Ceylon sapphire, diamond and platinum bracelet: $56,250

A 10.48-carat diamond and gold pendant-necklace: $52,500

A Van Cleef & Arpels diamond, malachite and gold necklace: $52,500

A 4.06-carat diamond and white gold ring: $50,000