LONDON.- Coloured stones, notably rubies and sapphires, made a strong showing in the 4 December Bonhams Fine Jewellery sale.

A pair of Cartier art deco ruby and diamond clip brooches, circa 1930, achieved an astonishing �482,500 including buyer’s premium, on a pre-sale estimate of �80,000-120,000.

Two stunning ruby rings also far exceeded their estimates. A sizeable Burmese ruby single-stone ring, fashioned by famed jewellers Van Cleef & Arpels in 1923, made �350,500 on an estimate of �80,000-100,000.

And another Burmese ruby, the setting made around 1930 and set with a cushion-cut stone weighing over 6 carats, was set to achieve �50,000-80,000 but sold for �362,500.

A beautiful belle �poque ruby and diamond necklace made more than twice its top estimate, selling for �122,500. And a pair of art deco ruby and diamond pendent earrings, by Cartier, sold very strongly, more than doubling their lower estimate to achieve �72,100.

Sapphires also performed well, with an art deco sapphire and diamond ring by Cartier making a robust �206,500; another art deco octagonal-cut sapphire and diamond ring made �146,500, double its estimate.

And an art deco sapphire and diamond bracelet made a healthy showing, selling for �76,900.

Jean Ghika, Head of Jewellery UK and Europe, comments, “We achieved some outstanding results in the sale, particularly for period jewels and coloured gem stones. The collection of Burmese rubies performed exceptionally well, proving that these rare gems continue to have an enduring appeal.”

Next week sees two more Bonhams jewellery sales taking place- in New York on Monday 8 December, and in the London Knightsbridge saleroom on Wednesday 10 December.

Bonhams handles and sells more jewellery lots each year than any other international house and has more dedicated jewellery auctions annually.