New York–Bonhams will hold its spring auction of Natural History on June 1, offering a diverse group of high-quality jewelry, gemstones and lapidary works of art.

The highlights of the auction are more than 50 lots of tourmaline in various shades, featured as polished and unpolished minerals, unmounted stones and jewelry.

Of particular interest is a multi-color suite of jewelry composed of 59 tiny, intricately hand-carved flowers by German lapidary master Manfred Wild, estimated between $28,000-$35,000. Consisting of a necklace and pair of earrings, the ensemble is composed of a variety of tourmalines from several world localities. Done in hues of hot pink, red, yellow-orange, bi-color, green and the highly sought after blue, each individual flower centers on a small white pearl to provide a natural look and elegant feel.

According to Claudia Florian, G.J.G. and co-consulting director of the Natural History sale, collector interest in tourmaline has grown exponentially in the past several years.

“Made popular by its hardness level, tourmaline is the perfect stone for daily wear in the form of jewelry,” Florian said in a media release. “Blue tourmalines, such as those examples featured in the June auction, are extremely rare and highly sought after by the public. Tourmaline is also the national gemstone of the United States, due to the once abundant deposits of pink stone in San Diego County, California.”

Additional hand-carved tourmaline pieces created by Wild to be offered at the auction include a transparent, green Brazilian box trimmed in 18-karat gold, estimated between $15,000-$18,000; a multi-color and sterling silver presentation box fitted with a rare Liddicoatite slice from Madagascar displaying brilliant concentric banding in red, candy pink, green and black, estimated between $12,000-$15,000; a finely detailed, intensely pink Madagascar tourmaline carving of a mouse, estimated between $4,500-$5,500; and an unusual bi-color pink and green tourmaline and 18-karat gold miniature sculpture of a grasshopper, estimated between $3,500-$4,500.

The auction will also feature a group of carvings by renowned artist Gerd Dreher. Notable highlights include a fish created from a massive slab of Madagascar tourmaline, estimated between $9,000-$12,000, and a pair of dolphins made from nearly 6,000 carats of aquamarine, estimated between $25,000-$35,000.

A hand-carved marine-life chess set made of ruby and lapis lazuli will also be up for sale. Created by Syliva and Luis Quispe, the set is trimmed with 18-karat gold and accompanied by an illuminated rock crystal and obsidian chess board, estimated between $90,000-$110,000.

The jewelry section of the auction will include a 99-carat carved black opal and diamond pendant from the world-renowned locality of Lightning Ridge, Australia, estimated between $50,000-$60,000. Dubbed “Aqua Profonda” by designer Jenni Brammall, the piece was created specifically for use during the Australian Masters of Fashion Awards 2008 in Melbourne, Australia.

Items for women by well-known jeweler Robert Wander will also be included.  Wander is the originator of the term “Crystal Candy” and his line consists of brilliantly colored gems, which are often left unpolished to showcase the natural beauty of the stone. Found at upscale department stores throughout the United States, several of Wander’s pieces have been selected for this auction to illustrate the tourmaline theme (estimates upon request).

Several pieces of signed jewelry for men including an array of cuff links will also be featured.

For more information about the Natural History auction, contact Bonhams at (212) 644-9001.

http://www.nationaljewelernetwork.com/njn/content_display/colored-stones/color-market-reports/e3i79bb0667857397db7e33c2a71fa64497

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