Skinner's Jewelry Auction Achieves Almost $3M

(Rapaport) Skinner Inc. garnered more than $2.5 million from a fine jewelry auction on March 12 in Boston. The auction's cover lot, an early 20th century fine Edwardian carved agate and enamel pendulette by Cartier smashed its presale estimate high of $20,000 to sell for $174,000. The clock featured a rotating ball dial with Roman numeral indicators and a rose-cut diamond star to indicate the time, set atop of the "Three Wise Monkeys," two with rose-cut diamond eyes.

Diamonds and pearls also achieved strong prices, according to Skinner, with one natural pearl necklace selling for $120,000, or $40,000 above its presale range. A gray natural pearl and diamond pendant estimated to sell at about $30,000, sold for $78,000. A 6.04-carat diamond solitaire sold for $49,200 and a colored diamond and diamond pendant with old European-cut colored diamonds weighing 7.20 carat sold for $36,000.