Art Deco Diamond Earrings Take £71,000 in Jewellery Auction

Roseberys’ March Jewellery auction delivered solid results from provenance-led jewellery to rare gold coinage, with competitive bidding from UK and international buyers driving a total sale of over £975,000.

Jewellery Results | 18 March

The sale was led by an elegant pair of Art Deco diamond and sapphire earrings, which achieved £71,740, significantly surpassing expectations. The top lot exemplified the refined geometry and craftsmanship of the period, set with alternating baguette-cut and old brilliant-cut diamonds and accented by calibré-cut sapphires. The earrings attracted sustained bidding before achieving the highest price of the sale.

Further highlights reflected the breadth of the market, from bold late 20th-century design to historically significant jewels. Art Deco jewellery continues to see strong demand, with lots realising up to six times their estimates, including a group of single earrings and a pair of diamond-set clasps.

An Italian multi-gem necklace dating to circa 1980, sold at £37,940, above estimate. Featuring a striking central yellow sapphire of approximately 45 carats, framed by calibré-cut rubies and accented with diamonds and cabochon gemstones, the piece drew attention for its confident use of colour and strong geometric design.

A silver, sapphire and diamond double swan ring, attributed to Mosheh Oved (1885–1958), drew particular attention for its distinctive sculptural design, realising £7,216, around three times its estimate. Founder of Cameo Corner, one of the leading centres for jewellery dealing in 20th-century London, and a leading figure in London’s Jewish cultural life associated with the Whitechapel Boys, Oved produced work that draws on Jewish folklore and blurs the boundary between jewellery and sculpture.

A 19th-century natural saltwater pearl necklace with provenance to the Mocenigo Soranzo family of Venice, sold for £22,304. Retained within the same noble lineage for over a century, the necklace offered collectors a combination of rarity, age and aristocratic provenance.

Catrin Jones, Head of Jewellery & Specialist at Roseberys, commented: “Historical provenance also proved a key driver of interest. The natural saltwater pearl necklace of this calibre with direct lineage to a distinguished family of 4 generations is extremely uncommon.”

“The sale also saw competitive bidding for numismatic rarities.” Catrin Jones added.

An exceptionally scarce William and Mary gold five-guinea coin dated 1691, realised £11,808. Struck during the only joint reign of a husband and wife in British history, the coin drew strong interest due to its historical significance and limited survival.

Catrin Jones GIA GG MJVA

Head of Jewellery & Specialist

“We’re seeing sustained interest across the jewellery category, from important antique pieces to distinctive modern design. Collectors are responding not only to craftsmanship and materials, but also to rarity, provenance and strong visual identity.”