Los Angeles – Bonhams presents California Jewels on March 11, a live auction showcasing an abundance of vibrant gemstones and exquisite designs. The sale features an exceptional selection of diamonds, fancy-colored diamonds, and a captivating array of emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. Spanning various eras, from antique and Art Deco masterpieces to elegant mid-century creations, the collection includes pieces from renowned maisons such as Bulgari, Cartier, Chopard, Graff, Harry Winston, Marina B, Marcus & Co., Maramenos & Pateras, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels.

Leading the sale is a fancy brown-yellow diamond and diamond ring. The design features an octagonal-cut fancy brown-yellow color diamond of VS2 clarity, weighing 12.62 carats, flanked by two trapezoidal-cut diamonds. Offered with an estimate of US$50,000-80,000.

Another notable lot is an 18K white gold, multi-color sapphire and diamond necklace, with links designed as ribbons with round diamonds weighing approximately 8.00 carats total, suspending blue, green, pink, and yellow cushion-cut sapphires. Twelve of these sapphires have been tested and confirmed to be of Burmese and Sri Lankan origin, with no evidence of treatment. Offered with an estimate of US$50,000-70,000.

Another highlight is a platinum and diamond ring centering a heart-shaped diamond of D color, VVS1 clarity, weighing 5.28 carats, flanked by two tapered baguette diamonds. Offered with an estimate of US$70,000-90,000.

Allison Osborn, Bonhams Head of Sale, California Jewels, in Los Angeles, comments: "California Jewels presents jewelry of exquisite craftsmanship including antique jewels, Art Deco designs and contemporary pieces including a large collection of Maramenos & Pateras. Notably, this sale is composed primarily of private consignments, offering collectors a rare opportunity to acquire unique and storied pieces. The live sale includes a wonderful selection of fancy grade color diamonds and color gemstones of rubies, emeralds and sapphires. The sale highlight is an elegant octagonal-cut fancy brown-yellow color diamond weighing 12.62 carats, which we are delighted to bring to auction."

Notable gemstones include:

· A platinum, emerald and diamond necklace. Featuring graduated round, oval and square and rectangular sugarloaf cabochon emeralds, accented throughout by marquise-shaped diamonds. Five emeralds have been tested and confirmed as Russian origin. Offered with an estimate of US$20,000-30,000.

· A Platinum, emerald and diamond ring. Centering a cushion-cut emerald of natural Beryl of Colombian origin with no indications of clarity enhancement, weighing 5.58 carats, flanked by marquise-shaped diamonds. Offered with an estimate of US$8,000-12,000.

· A platinum, star sapphire and diamond ring. Featuring an oval cabochon sapphire of Sri Lankan origin, weighing approximately 20.00 carats, flanked by two bullet-shaped diamonds. Offered with an estimate of US$8,000-12,000.

California Jewels includes notable Art Deco jewels, highlights include:

· A Cartier platinum and diamond bracelet, circa 1920. Composed of an openwork station featuring an emerald-cut diamond, flanked by modified trillion-cut diamonds and old European-cut, transitional-cut and single-cut diamonds, completed by stations of a buckle-inspired design and strands of linked bezel-set old European-cut diamonds. Total carat weight of 20.45 carats. Offered with an estimate of US$20,000-30,000.

· An Art Deco platinum and diamond bracelet designed with two rows of French-cut diamonds and single-cut diamonds, weighing a total of 14.75 carats. Offered with an estimate of US$10,000-20,000.

· An Art Deco platinum, black enamel and gem-set charm bracelet. The fancy link bracelet is accented with old European-cut diamonds, suspending 8 charms designed as a dog, plane (signed Cartier), man in a top hat, couple on a bench (signed Yard, Inc.), a carriage, a duck with an umbrella, a drummer, and a bell. All decorated with baguette-cut, trapezoidal and single-cut diamonds, various-cut rubies, sapphires, emerald, amethyst and citrine. Offered with an estimate of US$5,000-7,000.

California Jewels includes highlights with exceptional provenance:

· An 18K ruby and diamond minaudiere bag, circa 1945. Previously owned by Micheline Muselli Pozzo di Borgo Lerner (1928-2012), France's youngest attorney who became a formidable criminal defence lawyer and a quiet force in the French Resistance. In 1957, while on assignment in New York, she met and married celebrated playwright and lyricist Alan Jay Lerner, the three-time Oscar-winning author of My Fair Lady, Gigi, Brigadoon, An American in Paris, and Camelot. The bag is offered with an estimate of US$15,000-25,000.

· A platinum, 18K gold, emerald and diamond ring. Centering an octagonal Colombian origin emerald weighing approximately 5.15 carats, flanked by two trapezoidal diamonds. The ring was owned by Mary Olive "Ollie" Pierson (1944–2024) an eminent Baton Rouge attorney who was a master litigator, passionate advocate, and trailblazer for women in law. Offered with an estimate of US$7,000-9,000.

Other notable lots include:

· A Maramenos & Pateras 18K gold and diamond necklace. Designed as a collar of textured gold links of geometric design, the center is set with round diamonds weighing approximately 10.00 carats. Offered with an estimate of US$12,000-15,000.

· A Donald Claflin for Tiffany & Co. diamond and emerald frog brooch. American designer, Donald Claflin (1935-1979) designed whimsical pieces, he was known for his jewelry designs for David Webb, Van Cleef & Arpels before joining Tiffany & Co. in 1965. The brooch is offered with an estimate of US$7,000-9,000.

· A Cartier platinum and diamond brooch, circa 1968. Designed as a ribbon with a center composed of one round diamond, marquise-cut diamonds and baguette-cut diamonds. Offered with an estimate of US$6,000-8,000.