LOS ANGELES, CA.- Just in time for the holidays, John Moran Auctioneers presented their December Fine Jewelry & Watches auction on Tuesday, December 5th, 2023, at noon PDT. The 225-lot sale included stunning jewelry and an impressive selection of watches. For fine jewelry, a 9.06-carat diamond ring, an emerald, diamond, and platinum ring, and a pair of diamond earrings from Bulgari led the selection. The assortment of watches garnered much attention—particularly a Gold Triple Calendar and Moonphases wristwatch by Patek Philippe and the variety of Rolexes.

The top lot of the sale was a circular brilliant-cut diamond ring weighing 9.06 carats, within a platinum and diamond setting. Estimated at $50,000-75,000, this piece met expectations and achieved $60,325*.

With an estimate of $30,000-50,000, an emerald, diamond, and platinum ring made its way to the block. Centering a rectangular-cut emerald weighing approximately 2.42 carats and flanked by two rectangular-cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 1.50 carats, this stunner earned a winning bid of $38,100*.

Lot 61 presented a gorgeous pair of colored diamond and diamond earrings by Bulgari. The design was created with a round brilliant-cut fancy vivid yellow diamond and a round brilliant-cut fancy vivid orange yellow diamond, each weighing .17 carat, and surrounded by 10-pear shaped diamonds weighing a total of 4.42 carats in platinum. Weighing 5.80 grams, these earrings started with an estimate of $12,000-18,000 but sold for $20,320*.

The nearly 30 lots of watches included wristwatches and pocket watches from designers such as Patek Philippe, Rolex, C. H. Meylan, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, International Watch Company, Vacheron & Constantin, Baume & Mercier, and Movado. Leading the category was lot 143, a Patek Philippe Gold Triple Calendar and Moonphases Wristwatch, estimated $25,000-35,000 and brought in $34,925*. A Rolex GMT-Master II Gold Wristwatch started with a $15,000-20,000 estimate but brought in a whopping $28,575*. Estimated $8,000-10,000, a Rolex Submariner Wristwatch also exceeded expectations and left the block for $14,520*.

Along with diamonds, bidders were drawn to sapphires. Lot 85 was a heart-shaped sapphire and diamond ring weighing 6.03 carats and flanked by 2 pear-shaped diamonds weighing .80 carat. With an estimate of $15,000-20,000, this blue beauty achieved $15,240*. Then, lot 152 offered a Verdura sapphire, diamond, platinum, and gold ring. Estimated $8,000-12,000, this ring had a 5.60 carat oval-shaped sapphire in the center, framed with 65 round brilliant-cut diamonds weighing .90 carat. Set in platinum and 18k gold, and weighing 21.8 grams, it achieved an above estimate bid of $13,970*.

Other highlights included a diamond and gold bracelet by Demner and a Paul Gillot art deco rock crystal and diamond brooch. Lot 182, the Demner bracelet, started with a $3,000-5,000 estimate but nearly doubled that, selling for $8,890*. The art deco rock crystal and diamond brooch by Paul Gillot, lot 64, has an estimate of $6,000-8,000 and sold for $7,620*.

— Brenda Smith, John Moran Auctioneers

Upcoming Auctions

John Moran Auctioneers is beginning their 2024 lineup with the Studio Fine Art- Online auction, Tuesday, January 23rd, followed by the Art of the American West- Online sale, Tuesday, January 30th. Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming auctions so you don’t miss out on the action, and the treasures!

• Studio Fine Art Online: Tuesday, January 23rd | 10:00 am PDT

• Studio Decorative Art & Jewelry Online: Tues., Feb. 6th | 10:00 am PDT

• Art of the American West Online: Wednesday, February 7th | 12:00 pm PDT

• Art + Design: Tuesday, February 27th | 12:00 pm PDT

• Art of the American West: Tuesday, March 12th | 12:00 pm PDT

• The Traditional Collector: Tuesday, March 26th | 12:00 pm PDT