SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- Leading the quarterly Salon Jewelry & Watches auction at Bonhams, March 25 in San Francisco, was a coral graduated three-strand necklace that flew past its estimate of $6,000-8,000 to achieve $11,563. It was a shining example among many which far exceeded their estimates to bring strong results to the sale.

Star lots continued with two offerings that more than doubled their high estimates. First, a grouping of three unmounted colored diamonds, including a pear brilliant-cut fancy vivid pink 0.21 carat diamond; an oval brilliant-cut fancy pinkish-purple 0.26 carat diamond; and a cushion-cut pink-purple 0.39 carat diamond brought $11,250, ahead of a $1,800-2,500 estimate. To follow, a 10.70 carat diamond bracelet, mounted in platinum, from a New York Estate sold for $10,625, ahead of a $3,000-5,000 estimate.

According to Lynne Arkin, Fine Jewelry Specialist at Bonhams in San Francisco, the sale was a success. “Color was a big winner in this sale, along with signed pieces from Cartier, Schlumberger and Tiffany & Co.”

Rings were on the minds of many bidders, and comprised a lot of the auction’s top lots. Among them, a diamond and emerald three-stone ring by Tiffany & Co., featuring a central round brilliant-cut 1.00 carat diamond and approximately 0.75 carats of emerald, mounted in platinum and 18 karat gold, sold for $8,125. A diamond solitaire ring went on to bring $7,500, and from the estate of Bruce L. Jones Jr., (1928-2012), Carmel, Calif., came a French 1.60 carat diamond solitaire ring that achieved $6,875.

Earrings, too, were a popular draw in the sale. A pair of carved jade, black onyx and diamond earrings sold for $8,125, far ahead of an estimate of $2,500-3,500; a pair of French, enamel and 18 karat gold earclips by Jean Schlumberger, Tiffany & Co., sold for $6,875, past an estimate of $1,200-1,500; a pair of turquoise and diamond earclips brought $6,250, and a pair of diamond and 18 karat gold flower earclips by Van Cleef & Arpels brought $6,000, past an estimate of $1,200-1,500.

In conjunction with the Salon sale, Bonhams held its Period Art & Design auction the day prior. The sale saw great results across its various categories. Its top jewelry highlights included a collection of nine assorted gold coin pendants that sold for $3,500, and two separate 18 karat gold integral bracelet wristwatches from the aforementioned estate of Bruce L. Jones Jr.; one by Concord, that sold for $3,125, and another by Omega that brought $3,000. The sale’s top lot outside of the jewelry category was a first-quarter 20th century, French gilt bronze and cloisonné enamel four glass mantel clock retailed by P. Kierulff & Co., Peking, sold for $6,250, beyond an estimate of $1,000-1,500.