Bonhams’ London Jewels Sale Proves Pearls Are Going Strong

By Annie Davidson Watson | July 13, 2026

Bonhams’ Fine Jewelry sale in London on July 8 turned in a solid performance across the board, with pearls, colored stones, and signed pieces all outrunning their pre-sale estimates—some by a considerable margin.

The top result went to a David Morris cultured pearl and diamond necklace from a private single-owner collection, which sold for £40,960 (approximately $54,970) against a pre-sale estimate of £25,000–£35,000. Close behind was a two-row natural pearl necklace with an old cushion-cut diamond clasp (pictured at top), which achieved £39,680 ($53,250), more than tripling its high estimate of £10,000. A diamond fringe necklace with approximately 54.1 cts. in brilliant-cut diamonds also outperformed, selling for £38,400 ($51,550) against a £20,000–£25,000 estimate.

David Morris cultured pearl diamond necklace Bonhams top lot — *David Morris three-row cultured pearl and 22.25 cts. t.w. diamond necklace, which sold for £40,960 ($54,970)*

The signed jewelry category produced one of the sale’s more striking results. A Bulgari Monete Tubogas necklace circa 1994, featuring an ancient coin mounted within a flexible collar construction, sold for £35,840 ($48,100), more than double its £15,000–£20,000 estimate. A Boucheron Serpent Bohème diamond necklace similarly doubled its top estimate, achieving £23,040 ($30,920).

Colored gemstones held their own throughout. A 5.73 ct. Burmese cushion-cut sapphire ring sold for £25,600 ($34,360), while a 3.34 ct. Mozambique ruby ring circa 2018 achieved £24,320 ($32,640), more than double its high estimate. A circa-1925 art deco diamond, ruby, and emerald bracelet with enamel accents tripled its top estimate, selling for £24,320 ($32,640).

“Natural pearls, colored gemstones, signed, and period jewelry all performed strongly,” Jennifer Tonkin, Bonhams’ head of jewelry in the U.K., said in a statement. “Our top two results were achieved for a natural pearl necklace which more than tripled its top estimate and a cultured pearl and diamond necklace by David Morris, which demonstrates the market’s appetite for coveted high jewelry designs by heritage brands.”

(Photos courtesy of Bonhams)

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