Bonhams California Jewelry Auction Nets $3M with Colombian Emerald Selling 13x Estimate

A Colombian emerald weighing 2.95 carats sold for $83,050 at Bonhams' Fine Jewelry California auction on March 5, 2026, far exceeding its $6,000-8,000 estimate. The live Los Angeles event featured 318 lots of signed jewels, fancy-color diamonds, rare gemstones, and period pieces, achieving total sales of $3,072,212. Highlights included creations from Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co., and Bulgari, alongside works by Andrew Clunn and Verdura. A complete single-owner collection of 12 David Webb pieces sold out entirely. The sale saw 85% of lots and 99% of value sold. Another notable piece was a platinum, emerald and diamond necklace with a heart-shaped emerald center. The auction demonstrated strong market demand for exceptional craftsmanship and distinctive designs.