Natural Pearl Fetches 1.45 Million at Bonham's Auction

A natural pearl and diamond drop pendant from the estate of American philanthropist Mary Clark Thompson sold for more than $1.45 million, making it the top lot at the auction. The pendant’s main feature is a single drop pearl measuring 14.1mm in width and approximately 23mm in length, which is attached to a platinum and rose-cut diamond surmount. The pearl became the subject of a “frenzied bidding war,” the auction house said, before fetching the highest price paid for a natural pearl at auction for the past six years and also the third most valuable single natural pearl ever sold at auction.

It made the pearl’s $30,000 - $50,000 pre-sale estimate almost laughable in hindsight.

The pearl is accompanied by a GIA report and also an SSEF report and Appendix Letter stating: “A natural pearl of this size and quality can be considered rare and exceptional.”

“Really good example of natural pearls of exceptional quality where their size, symmetry, rich luster and blemish-free skins do not appear on the market as often as they used to,” said Susan Abeles, head of Jewelry for Bonhams US. “Indeed, pearls such as this are a rare commodity and it is nearly impossible to find these gems.”

Read entire article here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonydemarco/2017/12/05/a-single-pearl-fetches-1-45-million-at-bonhams-new-york-auction/#4120169f7666