An 81-Ct. Paraíba Tourmaline Tops Bonhams’ Oct. 29 Paris Jewelry Sale

By Annie Davidson Watson | October 26, 2026

Bonhams is placing a Kat Florence necklace anchored by an 81.17 ct. paraiba tourmaline at the top of its Paris jewelry auction on Oct. 29. The estimate is €60,000 to €80,000 ($67,000 to $90,000).

The stone (pictured at top) is natural and cut in a cushion shape, radiating a vibrant neon blue. A lacy, open mount of brilliant-cut diamonds surrounds it.

cartier ring — *Cartier ring with a sapphire and diamonds, estimate €40,000–€60,000 ($45,000–$67,000)*

Colored stones run through the sale. A Chaumet ring with a 12.5 ct. Sri Lankan sapphire is estimated at €45,000 to €65,000 ($50,000 to $73,000); Bonhams reports no evidence the stone was heated. A Cartier ring with an 11.5 ct. sapphire from Madagascar is pegged at €40,000 to €60,000 ($45,000 to $67,000); again, Bonhams reports no sign of treatment.

Mathilde Rispe, Bonhams’ jewelry specialist in France, said in a statement that the sale offers “an exceptional selection of jewels distinguished by vibrant gemstones.”

cartier brooch — *Cartier rose brooch (circa 1940s) with rubies, emeralds, and diamonds, estimate €15,000–€20,000 ($17,000–$22,000)*

Several lots come from Madame Paulette (1900–1984), a milliner whose clientele included Greta Garbo and Princess Grace of Monaco. Among them are a circa 1940 Cartier brooch shaped like a rosebud, set with rubies, emeralds, and diamonds (€15,000 to €20,000, or $17,000 to $22,000); a Boucheron turtle brooch with an enamel shell (€4,000 to €6,000, or $4,500 to $6,700); and a Schlumberger brooch depicting a dog’s head in coral, holding a lapis ball (€5,000 to €6,000, or $5,600 to $6,700).

Other signed pieces include a Mario Buccellati cuff with an emerald and rubies (€10,000 to €20,000, or $11,000 to $22,000) and a Lacloche Frères négligée necklace of rubies and diamonds from around 1912 (€6,000 to €10,000, or $6,700 to $11,000). A private collection supplies Greek jewelry by Zolotas and Lalaounis, with estimates in the €5,000 to €8,000 range ($5,600 to $9,000).

The sale closes with artist jewelry, including two circa 1970 works attributed to Alberto Giorgi, a leading figure of the Fano School: a lacquer-and-diamond brooch (€4,500 to €6,500, or $5,000 to $7,300) and a malachite necklace (€2,800 to €3,800, or $3,100 to $4,300).

The sale takes place at Bonhams’ Avenue Hoche salesroom.

(Photos courtesy of Bonhams)

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