DALLAS, TX.- Fine jewelry sales surpassed $12 million this season at Heritage Auctions, setting a house record, as bidders chased exquisite diamonds and colored gemstones – some exceeding 11 carats. Cumulative sales were held Dec. 5-6 featuring important single-owner collections, including a special selection of jewelry from the private collection of Shirley Temple Black.

"I researched and researched and I now know I picked the best house," said the client who consigned an 11.72-carat Kashmir Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum Ring, which took top lot honors at $670,000. "There is no doubt Heritage is a leader in fine jewelry and I'm happy to say there is more coming their way."

A fresh-to-market Paraiba Tourmaline, Diamond, Platinum Ring for Tiffany & Co. sold for $250,000. A cherished Tiffany & Co. Diamond, Platinum Brooch, worn by both Shirley Temple and her mother Gertrude, sold for $250,000. Temple's 8.43-carat Diamond, Platinum Ring, a gift from her father, sold for $137,500.

The single-owner Twelve Oaks Collection saw intense bidding for lots filled with Platinum, Diamond and Multi-Stone rings, which sold for $162,500. In one case, a dozen bidders competed for a lot of six pounds of Diamond, Multi-Stone, Platinum Semi-Mounts, which pushed the auction price to $137,500. The collection saw a total of eight lots sell for more than six-figures.

"This auction was a game changer for us," said Jill Burgum, Senior Director of Jewelry at Heritage Auctions. "We have set strategic, aggressive goals to grow this department and we're delighted to hear our many consigners and thousands of bidders are happy with the results."

Fine designs by Tiffany & Co. brought heavy bidding as a 6.01 carat pair of Diamond, Platinum Earrings sold for $150,000 and a Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum, Gold Ring sold for $125,000. Likewise, Tiffany's Sakura bracelet featuring buff-top Pink Sapphires and weighing a total of 24.57 carats, enhanced by full-cut diamonds weighing a total of 20.26 carats, sold for $112,500. A Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum Ring ended at $87,500.

Glittering, colored diamonds followed this season's trends by garnering multiple bids. An 8.28-carat Unmounted Fancy Yellow Diamond sold for $93,750 and a Fancy Intense Yellow Diamond, Diamond, Platinum Ring by Oscar Heyman Bros., from the personal collection of Shirley Temple, sold for $37,500.

Additional highlights include:

• A Diamond, Platinum Ring weighing a combined 7.70 carats sold for $75,000, against a $10,000 estimate.

• An 8.10-carat Diamond, Gold Ring sold for $75,000, from a private Texas estate.

• A Florida estate consigned a Diamond, Platinum Ring, offering 5.80 carats, which ended at $75,000.

• From the Twelve Oaks Collection, a stunning Diamond, Platinum, Gold Bracelet by Cartier sold for $65,625.