Wessex Auctions Report – Jewellery, Silver & Watches – May 5th 2023
It was all about the diamonds at Wessex Auction Rooms’ recent Jewellery, Silver and Watches auction. “The highlight was a charming pale yellow old cushion cut diamond ring” notes Izzie Balmer, Head of Jewellery and Silver at Wessex Auctions. “I love an old cushion cut, there’s something just a little more sophisticated and elegant about the less exact old cuts compared to the precise modern cuts”. The diamond was simply set with small rose cut diamonds to the shoulders, allowing the main event to really shine. Just shy of 3.50 carats there was a lot of interest in the ring, selling for £5,600.
Another diamond solitaire ring, but this time a modern round brilliant cut in an abstract setting flew to £4,700. The diamond was of superb quality, with an assessed clarity of VS-SI and weighing 1.85 carats. “Good quality diamonds with very small inclusions only visible with magnification, and over 1.0 carat, are much rarer than smaller good quality diamonds” explains Izzie, “as such there’s a much higher demand for them and the prices can really soar and we have seen that at Wessex Auctions repeatedly in recent years”. Diamonds, apart from being best known as the gemstone of choice for the majority of engagement rings, are incredibly hard wearing and withstand day-to-day wear. Their lustre, known as adamantine, is unparalleled, and they have a brilliance and fire incomparable to other gemstones.
Not to be left out, an Art Deco diamond platinum ring saw fierce bidding, selling for £3,600. The central round brilliant cut diamond weighed approx. 1.75 carats, with stepped baguette cut diamonds to the shoulders. With a very clear Art Deco flare, the ring’s design was timeless, so it is no surprise that a bidding war ensued.
An early 20th century diamond ring presented another good-sized old cut diamond, weighing approx. 1.50 carats, with assessed clarity SI. The shoulders were set with small rose cut diamonds. The beauty of this ring radiated from the old cut diamond and captured bidders’ hearts selling for £2,600.
Gents’ Rolex watches remain popular. A Rolex Oyster Perpetual datejust chronometer stainless steel watch, complete with box and paperwork saw some competitive bidding, selling for £3,200. No collection of watches would be complete without a Rolex wristwatch, and to a collector it is important to retain the original box and paperwork. A ladies Rolex Oyster Perpetual stainless steel wristwatch with box and papers sold to a room bidder; the new owner was delighted when the hammer fell to her.
A stunning late 19th century Chinese three piece silver tea service flew to £2,200. Bearing Chinese characters makers mark together retail marks for Luen Wo. Luen Wo are known for high quality silver and were based in Shanghai. The tea service was fully decorated with repoussé Chinese scenes, with the handles, tea spout and finial modelled as bamboo. “It’s one of the finest examples of a Chinese silver tea service that I’ve seen” enthuses Izzie. “The design and craftsmanship were exemplary. It was no surprise that there was a lot of Chinese interest in this lot”.
An unusual Dunhill & Sons 1920s silver combination cigarette case, with integrated lighter and manual clock sold for £1,000. The name, the age and the novelty aspect of this cigarette case all added to its charisma. For its day, the perfect gentleman’s accessory.
Wessex Auction Rooms are currently consigning for their July Jewellery, Silver, Watches and Pocket Watches auction. To consign items, email izzie@wessexauctionrooms.co.uk, or call the office on 01249 720888.