Bonhams
Bonhams is a leading British auction house whose jewellery sales significantly influence market values, collector trends, and trade sentiment in the UK industry. For retail jewellers, valuers, designers, and suppliers, Bonhams’ auctions offer invaluable data on pricing movements, rare and antique piece demand, and emerging tastes. Jewellery Focus covers Bonhams’ key jewellery and watch auctions, including sale results, record-setting lots, market analysis, and insights into what’s driving bidding behaviour. Our reporting equips trade professionals with up-to-date intelligence to inform buying, pricing, collection strategy, and stock planning.
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Mar- 2016 -17 MarchAuctions
Rising demand for coloured gemstones sees auction prices soar
There has been a surge in demand for coloured gemstones prompting rapidly rising prices, according to Bonhams. The auction house said sapphires have seen a particular rise in popularity, with consumers purchasing sapphire engagement and wedding rings. Bonhams said its clients are looking for something “a little bit different” from…
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Dec- 2015 -17 DecemberWatch Focus
Rare Royal Navy Rolex sold for £120,000 at Bonhams auction
A military-issue Rolex wristwatch, originally purchased for under £1,000, was sold at Bonhams London Fine Watch sale on 16th December for £120,100. The watch, which was originally valued at £50,000 to £70,000, was brought to the Antiques Roadshow when the popular TV programme visited Lincolnshire in early 2015. The owner…
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11 DecemberAuctions
Rare Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring sets new world auction record
A rare sapphire and diamond ring acheived $1.35m (£892,000) at Bonham’s New York fine jewellery auction on 8 December, setting a new world record. The Tiffany & Co ring – centred by an oval-cut sapphire, and flanked by European-cut diamonds weighing 7.84-carats – set the world record for the most…
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7 DecemberAuctions
Bonhams jewellery sale sets three world records
Bonhams’ last London Fine Jewellery sale of the year, which took place on Saturday 5 December, set three new auction world records. Jewellery from renowned designers including Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, along with a pair of Kashmir sapphires belonging to a European princess, went under the hammer. The…
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Nov- 2015 -27 NovemberEconomy
Record auction sales boost jewellery investment performance
Record auction sales and strong demand for coloured diamonds and pearls have helped boost the investment performance of jewellery, according to estate agent Knight Frank. Launched at an event held at the Mayfair headquarters of auction house Bonhams, the latest edition of the firm’s Luxury Investment Index (KFLII) focused on…
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9 NovemberAuctions
Military-issue Rolex could fetch £70,000 at auction
A military-issue Rolex wristwatch, originally purchased for under £1,000, could be auctioned for £50,000 to £70,000. The watch was discovered when the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow visited Lincolnshire in early 2015. The owner, who had seen a similar watch valued at a considerable amount more than he’d anticipated, took the timepiece…
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6 NovemberEvents
Gems of Time to return to SalonQP
Gems of Time, an exhibition celebrating the art and craft of high-jewellery watches, is set to return to SalonQP. Building on the success of its inaugural exhibition last year, Gems of Time: The Art of Colour aims to explore the jewelled watch and will highlight the current mood for unique…
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Oct- 2015 -27 OctoberAppointments
Dix Noonan Webb enters jewellery market with Bonhams hires
International coins and medals specialists Dix Noonan Webb is entering the jewellery market with two Bonhams hires briefed to launch a new jewellery department. The new division will open for business on 11 November 2015, headed up by Frances Noble (assisted by Laura Smith), both of whom join from Bonhams. The new…
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1 OctoberAuctions
Bonhams to launch first TV advert campaign
Auction house Bonhams has announced that it is set to launch its first ever TV advertising campaign dedicated to jewellery. The campaign – called ‘Be Part of the Story’ – will cost six figures. Bonhams said that it is the first time that a ‘major’ international auction house has advertised…
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Sep- 2015 -24 SeptemberEvents
Bonhams sells Hope Spinel for record £962,500
Auction house Bonhams has sold the rare British-owned gemstone – the Hope Spinel – for a record price of $30,000 (£19,600) per carat. The piece, which was sold at the company’s Fine Jewellery sale in London today (September 24), was sold for a total of £962,500, beating the previous record…
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