Los Angeles, CA— Just in time for the holidays, John Moran Auctioneers presented their December Fine Jewelry & Watches auction on Tuesday, December 5th, 2023, at noon PDT. The 225-lot sale included stunning jewelry and an impressive selection of watches. For fine jewelry, a 9.06-carat diamond ring, an emerald, diamond, and platinum ring, and a pair of diamond earrings from Bulgari led the selection. The assortment of watches garnered much attention—particularly a Gold Triple Calendar and Moonphases wristwatch by Patek Philippe and the variety of Rolexes.
Lot 141: A Rolex GMT-Master II Gold Wristwatch $28,575
The top lot of the sale was a circular brilliant-cut diamond ring weighing 9.06 carats, within a platinum and diamond setting. Estimated at $50,000-75,000, this piece met expectations and achieved $60,325*.
With an estimate of $30,000-50,000, an emerald, diamond, and platinum ring made its way to the block. Centering a rectangular-cut emerald weighing approximately 2.42 carats and flanked by two rectangular-cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 1.50 carats, this stunner earned a winning bid of $38,100*.
Lot 61 presented a gorgeous pair of colored diamond and diamond earrings by Bulgari. The design was created with a round brilliant-cut fancy vivid yellow diamond and a round brilliant-cut fancy vivid orange yellow diamond, each weighing .17 carat, and surrounded by 10-pear shaped diamonds weighing a total of 4.42 carats in platinum. Weighing 5.80 grams, these earrings started with an estimate of $12,000-18,000 but sold for $20,320*.
Lot 61: A Pair of Bulgari Colored Diamond and Diamond Earrings $20,320
The nearly 30 lots of watches included wristwatches and pocket watches from designers such as Patek Philippe, Rolex, C. H. Meylan, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, International Watch Company, Vacheron & Constantin, Baume & Mercier, and Movado. Leading the category was lot 143, a Patek Philippe Gold Triple Calendar and Moonphases Wristwatch, estimated $25,000-35,000 and brought in $34,925*. A Rolex GMT-Master II Gold Wristwatch started with a $15,000-20,000 estimate but brought in a whopping $28,575*. Estimated $8,000-10,000, a Rolex Submariner Wristwatch also exceeded expectations and left the block for $14,520*.
Along with diamonds, bidders were drawn to sapphires. Lot 85 was a heart-shaped sapphire and diamond ring weighing 6.03 carats and flanked by 2 pear-shaped diamonds weighing .80 carat. With an estimate of $15,000-20,000, this blue beauty achieved $15,240*. Then, lot 152 offered a Verdura sapphire, diamond, platinum, and gold ring. Estimated $8,000-12,000, this ring had a 5.60 carat oval-shaped sapphire in the center, framed with 65 round brilliant-cut diamonds weighing .90 carat. Set in platinum and 18k gold, and weighing 21.8 grams, it achieved an above estimate bid of $13,970*.
Other highlights included a diamond and gold bracelet by Demner and a Paul Gillot art deco rock crystal and diamond brooch. Lot 182, the Demner bracelet, started with a $3,000-5,000 estimate but nearly doubled that, selling for $8,890*. The art deco rock crystal and diamond brooch by Paul Gillot, lot 64, has an estimate of $6,000-8,000 and sold for $7,620*.
— Brenda Smith, John Moran Auctioneers
Lot 62: A Diamond Ring $60,325
“The top lot of the sale was a circular brilliant-cut diamond ring weighing 9.06 carats, within a platinum and diamond setting. Estimated at $50,000-75,000, this piece met expectations and achieved $60,325*.”
Upcoming Auctions
John Moran Auctioneers is beginning their 2024 lineup with the Studio Fine Art Online auction, Tuesday, January 23rd, followed by the Studio Decorative Art & Jewelry Online sale, Tuesday, February 6th. Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming auctions so you don’t miss out on the action, and the treasures!
Studio Fine Art Online: Tuesday, January 23rd | 10:00 am PDT
Studio Decorative Art & Jewelry Online: Tues., Feb. 6th | 10:00 am PDT
Art of the American West Online: Wednesday, February 7th | 12:00 pm PDT
Art + Design: Tuesday, February 27th | 12:00 pm PDT
Art of the American West: Tuesday, March 12th | 12:00 pm PDT
The Traditional Collector: Tuesday, March 26th | 12:00 pm PDT
For upcoming highlights, online catalogues, and more information on these sales, visit Moran’s website: www.johnmoran.com and follow us on social media: @johnmoran_auctioneers. Along with our website, bidding is now available online via Moran’s new mobile app, Moran Mobile, available on both iOS and Android operating systems. You may also choose to bid by phone or absentee.
Consignments are always welcome:
Email us at [email protected] today!
