PHILADELPHIA, PA.- On Wednesday May 17, Freeman’s held a well-curated Fine Jewelry auction in which several diamonds soared beyond their estimates. Top lots of the sale included a marquise diamond solitaire as well as a Belle Époque diamond solitaire ring, set with an old Europeancut diamond.

The diamond solitaire, lot 131, is accompanied by a GIA certificate stating G color and VS-2 clarity. It is centered with marquise-shaped diamond weighing 8.02 carats. The piece was a highlight from a prominent collection within the sale, ‘Property of a Palm Beach Lady.’ When this striking piece came up for sale, a full bank of phone clerks stood to bid on behalf of their eager clients. Estimated between $80,000-100,000, the ring exceeded expectations, ultimately selling for $200,000. 

The excitement was far from over. Moments later another exceptional ring elicited spirited competition between bidders. Lot 156, a Belle Époque diamond solitaire, is set with an old European-cut diamond weighing in at 3.93 carats accompanied by a GIA certificate stating D color and VS-1 clarity. Lot 156 sold for over twice its estimate, reaching $150,000. 

Diamonds weren’t the only highly anticipated lots at Freeman’s Fine Jewelry auction. A 1960 sapphire and diamond “Camellia” brooch designed by the iconic Van Cleef & Arpels caused quite a flurry of excitement. A trademark of the firm, the “Camellia” brooch is set with three rows of circular-cut diamonds and sapphires. Selling for almost double its estimate, lot 147 realized $93,750.

Moments later, a pair of platinum-set “Camellia” earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, matching the aforementioned brooch, were up for bid. The lot realized $56,250.

Colored diamonds were also quite popular among bidders. A fancy light yellow diamond ring, lot 158, with a center stone totaling 13.16 carats, reached an impressive $125,000. Similarly, lot 140, a fancy blue and pink diamond ring, caught the eye of many bidders and helped it to achieve $68,750.

“Along with our consistent buyers, we are seeing a new buyer beginning to emerge at Freemans--one who is looking for quality signed jewelry and diamonds,” Freeman’s Vice President and Head of Jewelry, Virginia Salem said. “This was exemplified in the 100 percent sell through rate of ‘property of a Palm Beach lady’--a collection that sold for an impressive $411,751, a total well above its low estimate of $183,400.”