LOS ANGELES, CA.- An exceptional and rare natural pink sapphire that is among the finest the market has seen in the last decade leads Bonhams’ auction of Lapidary Works of Art, Gemstones and Minerals including Gold on May 19 at Bonhams in Los Angeles.

The sapphire, a classic beauty from the locality of Ceylon, weighing nearly 25 carats, is estimated to bring $600,000-800,000. Characterized by an astonishingly vivid natural pink hue that is unenhanced by heat treatment, the gem also possesses exceptional luster and transparency and is of unparalleled quality. It is one of many rare collector's gemstones that highlight this auction — gemstones of distinction suitable for mounting in jewelry by designers or for collectors to admire and retain unmounted.

Another notable gem in the sale is an exceptional Red Spinel of true vibrant red color, free of any modifying browns, estimated at $120,000-150,000. Rare due to its large size of more than 10 carats, even the style of its faceting is a reflection of its quality. The selection of an emerald-cut style is an indication that the gem cutter had great confidence in his gem rough. It is an expression of his desire to show off the incredible transparency by choosing a cut with a minimal number of facets that allow the beauty of the material to speak for itself.

Garnets representing most of the seven varieties in existence, including vibrant orange or “Mandarin” hued-Spessartites, will also be on offer. The star example of rare garnets is a collection, known as a “necklace layout,” comprising 25 Demantoid Garnets from the Ural Mountains of Russia, weighing an aggregate of 29.63 carats, which is estimated at $200,000-250,000.

According to Gemologist and Co-Consulting Director of the Natural History Department at Bonhams, Claudia Florian, one wouldn’t be able to go into the marketplace and find these easily.

She commented: “Each season, I turn away hundreds of potential gemstone consignments which are merely of common commercial value or average quality. I believe in “curating” an auction so that it contains only those gems which are rare and worthy of collection by the most discerning clients.”

The auction will also feature a selection of rare exotic natural pearls, including such species as Conch, Giant Clam, rare purple pearls from the Quahog clam, Melo snails and Mississippi River pearls. Highlighting this section is an elegant conch pearl and diamond bead necklace featuring 49 pearls that is estimated at $250,000-300,000. The necklace has very feminine color composition and contrast with diamond spacers.

There is a single fossil lot available in the auction, but it is an exceptional one: an incomparable Sea Floor Block with Opalized Fossils, estimated at $200,000-250,000. It is the largest and most complete example of an assemblage of fauna from Coober Pedy, Australia, ever to come to auction, and no finer example can be found in any museum worldwide.

Also on offer will be a collection of lapidary carvings from the renowned firm of Constantin Wild of Idar-Oberstein, Germany. It includes a variety of at least 30 gemstone creations made of precious materials created throughout the last 40 years. Leading the collection is a magnificent, illuminated, carved Ruby Sculpture of an Eagle, estimated at $30,000-50,000. Also included will be highly sought-after flower studies and traditional Russian character figures, as well as functional items such as inlaid pietra dura mineral boxes or gemstone bowls.

Lapidary works by artist Luis Alberto Quispe Aparicio, whose work has been featured before at Bonhams, will also be offered. Sure to make a unique statement is a carved and illuminated Rock Crystal ‘Polar Bear’ Vodka Set comprising a decanter and six vodka shot glasses in the form of polar bears on an ice flow with a concealed light fixture beneath, estimated at $60,000-80,000. Another featured item by the same artist is a one-of-a-kind, fully functional Ruby Clutch Handbag - the first ever created entirely of panels of ruby inlaid into gold vermeil, estimated at $25,000-35,000.

Minerals in the sale include 30 lots of California gold, offered at enticing estimates, to be sold to benefit an educational charity: The William and Marian Ghidotti Foundation. These historic specimens came from one of the most sought after and beloved American mines and are of a rare crystallized form with a quartz matrix that is desired by mineral collectors. A highlight of this section includes a large Gold-in-Quartz Specimen, weighing 46.52 ozt., estimated at $40,000-60,000.