NEW YORK, NY.- Large carat diamonds and rare gemstones shined at Heritage Auctions' $5 million Holiday Fine Jewelry Auction Dec. 4 in New York.

"The demand for diamonds and gemstones like these is exceptionally strong," Heritage Jewelry Senior Director Jill Burgum said. "The quality of the pieces we had in this auction was reflected in the number of bidders who went after different lots, as well as in the exceptional returns the pieces brought in at the auction block."

Leading the way was a Fancy Light Yellow Diamond, Diamond, Gold Ring, featuring a 22.08-carat cut-cornered rectangular modified brilliant-cut fancy light yellow diamond, which realized $324,500. A Fancy Yellow Diamond, Diamond, Gold Ring with a 10.89-carat fancy yellow pear-shaped diamond went for $162,500. Other top diamond lots included a Diamond, Gold Ring that hammered at $137,500 and a Diamond, Platinum Ring, which brought $75,000.

The 10.89-carat pear-shaped diamond ring and a Diamond, Rose Gold Bracelet, Bvlgari ($33,750) were two of more than 40 lots that were sold to benefit a scholarship fund held by the Texas A&M Foundation.

Other top lots included a Fancy Green-Blue Diamond, Colored Diamond, Platinum, Rose Gold Ring that realized $62,500, a Ruby, Diamond, Silver-Topped Gold Brooch that brought $45,000 and a Ceylon Padparadscha Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum Ring, which sold for $42,500.

The auction included several lots by notable designer Van Cleef & Arpels, including:

· Mother-of-Pearl, Agate, White Gold Necklace, Van Cleef & Arpels, French from the Magic Alhambra Collection: $18,750

· Diamond, White Gold Ring, Van Cleef & Arpels, French from the Frivole Collection: $16,250

· Malachite, Gold Necklace, Van Cleef & Arpels from the Alhambra Collection: $13,750

Other top lots included, but were not limited to:

· Diamond, White Gold Ring: $42,500

· Lucida® Diamond, Platinum Ring, Tiffany & Co.: $37,500

· Alexandrite, Diamond, Platinum, Gold Ring: $31,250

· Art Deco Diamond, Platinum Bracelet, Cartier: $27,500

· Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum Ring: $25,000

· Diamond, White Gold Necklace: $25,000