Jewelry

Those in the know come directly to Rafael Osona Auctions for exceptional value in fine South Sea, Tahitian and freshwater pearls. We source our hand-selected, 11-18mm pearls directly from the farms – no middleman!
We’re delighted to pass along the impressive savings; which is exactly what successful bidders do, returning time and again to acquire more exquisite pearls for friends and family.
With an eye for craftsmanship and style, we have interest in representing fine estate jewelry from Bvlgari, Tiffany, Cartier, Gucci, Chanel, Hermès and more, plus stunning custom made diamond and gemstone settings, along with fine timepieces from Patek Philippe, Piaget, Rolex, Raymond Weil, Van Cleef & Arpels and more.
Pearl Basics
- Natural or cultured? Freshwater, Akoya, South Sea and Tahitian pearls these days are pretty much all cultured. Natural pearls? Over fished and endangered. There might be one single harvestable natural pearl in every 100 bivalves, and only one in ten of those are of good quality.
- “Every grain of sand” is a title/lyric from Bob Dylan. Sand’s got nothing what so ever to do with culturing pearls. Each pearl begins with the insertion (nucleation) of a tiny piece of mantle from a sacrificed mollusk (fresh water pearls) or a small bead of mother-of-pearl. (South Sea and Tahitian)
- It’s natural! The oyster secretes layers of nacre around the insertion. It’s the depth of nacre – the layers are like growth rings on a tree – that determines luster and value.
- The big difference: multiple insertions can be made in each mussel for freshwater pearls. The salt-water variety gets just one bead inserted per oyster.
- One pearl. Five years. South Sea and Tahitian oysters that are at least 2 years of age are ready to be cultured, with nacre development lasting another 2-3 years before the pearl is harvested.
- Remember Mikimoto? They’re the folks who helped set the standards for Japan’s Akoya saltwater pearl culture back in the early 1900s, when cultured pearls became coveted by the rich & famous! Pearls came to symbolize classic beauty, purity and love.
Spotting the best pearls is easy! Look for luster, brightness and as near a perfectly smooth finish as your budget will allow. Salt-water pearls have more value than fresh water. Larger South Sea and Tahitian pearls (11-18mm) with thicker nacre took 2-5 years longer to form, which is reflected in the value. Always look for carefully matched strings – in both color and shape.
Did you know? Pearls are “calcareous concretions” that develop in the soft tissue of a living animal. Calcareous concretions are produced by a variety of animal types, gastropods, squid, octopi, snails, worms, arthropods – even humans! The human version of a “pearl” is a kidney stone.
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Antique Old European Cut 3-Diamond Platinum Ring
Antique Old European Cut 3-Diamond Platinum Ring, the center Old European Diamond I/J-VS, approximately 2.30 carats, flanked by Old European Cut Diamond #1 H/I-SI, approximately 0.75 carats and Old European Diamond #2 I/J-SI2/I1 approximately 0.75 carats, set in platinum. Ring measures approx. 5.5 on the ring stick.
Provenance: Estate of Linda Loring, 4 Rays Court, Nantucket
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Pair of 14k Yellow Gold Mabe Pearl, Ruby and Diamond Earclips
Pair of 14k Yellow Gold Mabe Pearl, Ruby and Diamond Earclips, 24 square cut rubies and 8 round diamonds surround.
22mm x 22mm
Provenance: Estate of Linda Loring, 4 Rays Court, Nantucket
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Vintage Old European Cut Diamond Platinum Ring Flanked by 2 Tapering Baguettes
Vintage Old European Cut Diamond Platinum Ring Flanked by 2 Tapering Baguettes, the center stone approximately 2.50cts, two baguettes .50ctw for an approximate 3.00ctw. Clarity SI, Color E-F. Measures approx. 5.5 on the ring stick.
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Lady’s 14k Yellow Gold Hinged Ruby Bangle Bracelet
Lady’s 14k Yellow Gold Hinged Ruby Bangle Bracelet, set with 19 graduated full cut round rubies.
Provenance: Estate of Linda Loring, 4 Rays Court, Nantucket
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Pair of 18k Yellow Gold, Aquamarine and Diamond Earclips
Pair of 18k Yellow Gold, Aquamarine and Diamond Earclips, the aquamarine carved in the shape of a scallop shell.
20mm x 18mm
Provenance: Estate of Linda Loring, 4 Rays Court, Nantucket
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Pair of Seaman Schepps 18k Yellow Gold Cabochon Emerald Earclips
Pair of Seaman Schepps 18k Yellow Gold Cabochon Emerald Earclips, each set with a single diamond and 3 pearls.
22mm x 19mm
Provenance: Estate of Linda Loring, 4 Rays Court, Nantucket
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Emerald Cut Natural Aquamarine and Diamond Ring
Emerald Cut Natural Aquamarine and Diamond Ring, the aquamarine approximately 26.50 carats, flanked by eight (8) round brilliant cut diamonds F/G-SI, 0.40ctw, four (4) on each side, set in 14k white gold. Approx. size 6 on the ring stick.
Provenance: Estate of Linda Loring, 4 Rays Court, Nantucket
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Seaman Schepps Tanzanite, Cultured Pearl and Diamond Bracelet Mounted in 18k White Gold
Seaman Schepps Tanzanite, Cultured Pearl and Diamond Bracelet Mounted In 18k White Gold, designed as a series of sugarloaf cabochon Tanzanites, spaced by cultured pearl links, trimmed with circular-cut diamonds, 5 cabochon Tanzanite stones measuring approximately 18mm x 19mm, 15 round white 7mm pearls and 90 round cut diamonds in original Seaman Schepps box.
Provenance: Estate of Linda Loring, 4 Rays Court, Nantucket
Length 7 ½ in.
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Collection of 14 Georgian and Victorian Wax Seal Pocket Watch Fob Stamps, 19th Century
Collection of 14 Georgian and Victorian Wax Seal Pocket Watch Fob Stamps, 19th Century, mostly gold filled, plated and brass; 10 stamps depict ships, sampans, galleon and dory, 3 depict anchors and one engraved with the initial “H.” The seals are mostly carnelian, 1 bloodstone, 2 possible moonstone and 1 amethyst.
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Rare Pair of Benjamin Bunker Engraved Gold Cufflinks, 18th Century
Rare Pair of Benjamin Bunker (Nantucket 1751-1842) Engraved Gold Cufflinks, 18th Century, maker’s hallmark on reverse “BB” and initials “IC”, possibly Isaac Coffin. Benjamin Bunker was the most prolific eighteenth-century silversmith in Nantucket Massachusetts, active from 1772 to 1820. Bunker was listed as an armorer during the Revolution.
Diameter 12mm
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Omega Speedmaster Stainless Steel Moonwatch
Omega Speedmaster Stainless Steel Moonwatch, #2500 4139 145012-67.
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Cream Cultured Pearl and Diamond Pendant Necklace
SOLD FOR $4,800
Cream Cultured Pearl and Diamond Pendant Necklace, a uniform strand of round light cream colored pearls secured with a clasp and features 2 larger and 11 smaller diamonds in a pendant. The 47 pearls measure 7.5mm-8mm
Larger diamond is approximately 1.95cts
Medium diamond is approximately 0.97cts
11 melee diamonds are approximately 0.22cts
Total approximate diamond weight is 3.14cts
Length 16 in. -
Fine Natural Jadeite Bead Necklace (Grade A)
SOLD FOR $18,000
Fine Natural Jadeite Bead Necklace (Grade A), comprising 77 graduated beads 3.7mm-9.1mm, secured with one oval jadeite clasp and safety chain.
Length 18 ½ in.Accompanied by jadeite authenticity report #160407-1 dated April 7, 2016, Mason-Kay Jade Laboratory Inc.
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Diamond and Natural Baroque Pearl Art Nouveau Brooch
SOLD FOR $1,800
Lady’s Antique 18k Yellow Gold and Platinum Diamond and Natural Baroque Pearl Art Nouveau Brooch, with three small 6mm-8mm white Baroque pearls and 28 small old mine cut diamonds with an approximate total weight of 1.80cts.
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Lady’s 14k White Gold Diamond and Aquamarine Set Ring
SOLD FOR $2,400
Lady’s 14k White Gold Diamond and Aquamarine Set Ring
One oval faceted aquamarine measures approximately 9.29cts
18 round full cut diamonds approximate weight 0.54cts -
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
SOLD FOR $4,800
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Ring, set with one larger round brilliant cut center diamond and 40 small diamond accents.
Center diamond approximately 1.99cts
40 round full cut diamonds total approximate weight 1.50cts
Total approximate diamond weight 3.49cts -
Dreicer and Company Signed Platinum and Diamond Ribbon and Bow Brooch
SOLD FOR $9,600
Dreicer and Company Signed Lady’s Platinum and Diamond Set Edwardian Ribbon and Bow Brooch, measuring 68.00mm by 80.00mm in length. This beautiful brooch is of a delicate pierced design with a mix of old European cut and round brilliant cut diamonds.
Approximate Total Diamond Weight of 6.49cts.
Signed Dreicer. -
Raymond Yard Antique Platinum Natural Star Sapphire Brooch-Pendant
SOLD FOR $16,800
Raymond Yard Antique Platinum & Natural Star Sapphire Brooch-Pendant, with round diamonds set around the center medium blue star sapphire. Sapphire measures 21.00 x 20.70 x 16.57mm. 14k white gold loop bale.
Signed Yard
Approx total diamond weight 5.62cts
Approx star sapphire weight 83.05cts -
Tiffany & Co. 18k Yellow Gold and Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond Bracelet
SOLD FOR $9,000
Tiffany & Co. Lady’s 18k Yellow Gold and Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond Bracelet, set with two round fancy golden yellow diamonds per link with a total of 72 diamonds, secured with a plunger clasp and fold over safety, Signed Tiffany.
Total approximate weight of 72 diamonds is 7.92cts. -
Custom Made Aquamarine & Diamond Platinum Bow Brooch
SOLD FOR $5,100
Lady’s Custom Made Aquamarine & Diamond Platinum Bow Brooch, with two custom cut cabochon cut natural aquamarines to form the two halves of the bow design and 24 small round diamonds as accents.
Cabochon aquamarines measure approximately 32cts each, totaling 64cts, 24 round full cut diamonds measuring 0.01 to 0.035cts each for an approximate total diamond weight of 0.50cts.
Length 55.00mm -
Scarce Natural Ceylon Pink Sapphire Ring
SOLD FOR $240,000
Impressive Lady’s Natural Ceylon Pink Sapphire Ring,
with two oval emerald (var. beryl) cabochon accents, set in platinum (stamped “IRID.PLAT.”). Accompanied by American Gemological Laboratories “Prestige Gemstone Report” CS 1075388 dated 02 May 2016. “Natural Corundum Purplish-Pink Sapphire; Based on available gemological information, it is the opinion of the Laboratory that the origin of this material would be classified as Ceylon (Sri Lanka), No gemological evidence of heat. Non-heated pink sapphires are scarce.” The inner surface of the shank is engraved “E. J. S. June 6, 1945.” The rectangular cushion faceted purplish pink sapphire measures
Approx. 17.67mm x 14.16mm x 12.21mm
Approx. 28 carats + (-)
Cabochon accents approx. 4.5mm x 5.5mm -
Gem Quality White South Sea Pearl & Diamond Earrings
Gem Quality 12.5mm x 12.5mm White Round South Sea Pearl & Diamond Earrings, mounted in 18k white gold set with four pear shaped diamonds tw .55ct
& 202 white diamonds tw 1.12ctSold for $3,680.00
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Fine South Sea Tahitian Pearl Necklace
Fine South Sea Tahitian Pearl Necklace, 105 silvery grey hue pearls nicely matched and measuring 11mm-13.8mm, 14k white gold clasp; may be worn as a single rope, double or tripled. Length 55 in.
Sold for $6,325.00
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Fine White South Sea Pearl Necklace
Fine white South Sea pearl necklace, 15.5mm x 16mm, 14k yellow gold clasp.
Length 17 ½ in. -
South Sea White Pearl Necklace
Fine 14mm x 16.2mm South Sea white pearl necklace with 14k white and yellow gold clasp.
Length 19 in. -
Pair of White South Sea Pearl and Diamond Earrings
Fine pair of white South Sea pearl earrings,
15.5mm x 15.5mm set with 146 diamonds with a total weight of .90 cts., set in 18k yellow gold. -
South Sea Multicolor Pearl Necklace
Fine 12.2mm x 17mm South Sea multicolor pearl opera length necklace in shades of white, gold, pistachio silver, gray and black with a 14k white gold clasp. Length 36 in.
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South Sea Pearl and Diamond Earrings
Fine pair white South Sea pearl earrings 13.75mm x 14mm, set with 146 black diamonds total weight 1.10cts and
32 white diamonds total weight .28cts, set in 18K white gold. -
Keshi Baroque Pearl Necklace
15mm-25mm Keshi baroque fresh water white pearl double strand necklace with sterling clasp. Length 32″
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Fine 8mm-16mm South Sea Pearl Necklace
Fine 8mm-16mm South Sea Pearl Necklace, 123 pieces. Length 86 in.
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