LONDON.- Today’s Fine Jewels sale in London exceeded pre-sale expectations to achieve £5,171,750 (est. £2,923,400- 4,183,200), with 80.1% of the lots sold. With an exceptional selection of contemporary and antique jewels and decorative accessories on offer, the sale was driven by competition from a broad spectrum of international buyers.

The sale was led by the newly discovered cushion-shaped diamond, named the ‘Tenner’ diamond, which sold for £656,750 (est. £250,000-350,000). The ring was originally purchased in the 1980s from a car boot sale for just £10, when it was assumed to be a decorative costume jewel. The ring was recently confirmed by the GIA as a genuine diamond.

Another highlight of the sale was a Cartier diamond brooch worn by Margaret Thatcher on a number of high-profile public occasions, including the day she offered her resignation as Prime Minister to The Queen. With its unique geometric chevron design, the brooch piqued the interest of buyers to achieve £81,250 (est. £25,000-35,000), proceeds of which will be donated to the Endeavour fund - a charity that supports the recovery of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.

Jessica Wyndham, Sotheby’s Head of London Jewellery Department, said: “It was a thrill to bring the hammer down on two objects which have been the subject of so much interest and attention over the last few weeks and to see that attention translate into such strong bidding competition. Both were exciting punctuation points in a sale where the huge variety of material on offer was matched by a broad mix of collectors internationally- driving prices well above estimate on so many occasions.”

Selection of Highlights

Lot 182: A diamond pendant/brooch, late 19th Century and later Estimate: £16,000-24,000 Lot Sold: £200,000
Of sunburst design, the centre collet-set with a foil-backed rose diamond, the surround set with circular-cut diamonds

Lot 58: Sapphire and diamond ring, late 19th Century Estimate: £60,000-80,000 Lot Sold: £150,000
Of cluster design, set to the centre with a cushion-shaped sapphire weighing 6.00 carats within a surround of circular-cut diamonds

Lot 193: Pair of diamond earrings Estimate: £160,000-240,000 Lot Sold: £224,750
Each surmount set with a brilliant-cut diamond weighing 3.00 and 3.01 carats respectively, supporting a pendant set with a pearshaped diamond weighing 5.40 and 5.69 carats, within a surround of brilliant-cut and marquise-shaped diamonds

Lot 83: Ruby and diamond bracelet, 1950s Estimate: £32,000-42,000 Lot Sold: £106,250
Of geometric design, set with oval rubies and brilliant-cut and baguette diamonds

Lot 56: Ruby and diamond necklace, mid-19th century Estimate: £30,000-50,000 Lot Sold: £68,750
Designed as a graduated series of clusters, each designed as an oval or circular-cut foil backed ruby within a frame of cushion-shaped diamonds