A melting pot of luxury, charm and individuality - why jewellery connoisseurs prefer the excitement of auction

Those familiar with a visit to an auction house will be aware of the very unique energy and buzz that fills the premises on a sale day. A hive of activity, prospective bidders bustle to view the variety of lots on offer, and staff rush to keep up with the demand for online, telephone and commission bidding requests. When the auction begins, the most sought after, highest bidding lots bring all visitors to a standstill, and the tension in the room is palpable as prices climb into the thousands. Whether bidding on multiple items, or simply watching the sale progress, a visit to a live auction can be a remarkable way to spend a day.

One of the most exciting categories on sale day is jewellery, but what makes this unique at auction? Jewels and adornments have been coveted since the dawn of civilisation, from symbols of status to romantic gifts, and demand for the best pieces is perpetually strong. High end jewellery retailers design

bespoke modern and much-admired collections, but at auction, no jewellery collection will ever look the same.

Every Fine Art Auction will be catalogued from the unique items that have been consigned to the auction house in a particular season. At Anthemion Auctions in Cardiff, four Fine Art Auctions are held during the course of the year, and in the interim period, items come in for sale from individual vendors on valuation days, from large estate consignments and from local family collections.

The breadth of area from which items are consigned yields a remarkable melting pot of eventual auction lots. Modern jewellery

pieces sit alongside costume jewellery, designer or vintage watches, ornate Victorian and Edwardian designs, mourning brooches,

Art Nouveau and Art Deco pieces, together with classic diamond and gemstone creations. Every auction offers an entirely different selection, and in each, is something unique and remarkable, with its own history and provenance, that retailers are unable to offer.

Anthemion Auctions in Cardiff are currently in the process of cataloguing a particularly extensive and stunning jewellery collection for their November Fine Art Sale. Entries for the sale, which is to take place on the 24th of November, are still being accepted, and they can be contacted with any queries on 029 2047 2444 or anthemions@aol.com

An 18ct yellow gold kutchinsky necklace, set with diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. Estimated to realise £3,000 to £4,000 in Anthemion Auctions November Fine Art Sale

A pair of sapphire and diamond earrings - Estimated to realise £4,000 to £6,000 in Anthemion Auctions November Fine Art Sale

A diamond pendant with central yellow pear shaped diamond, flanked by brilliant cut diamonds - Estimated at £3,000 - £4,000

A Lady’s Piaget wristwatch - each link interspersed with brilliant cut diamonds - Estimated at £4,000 to £6,000

An emerald and diamond dress ring - Estimated at £2,000 to £3,000

A Lady’s Chopard wristwatch - Estimated at £1,800 - £2,000

A diamond necklace - Estimated at £6,000 to £8,000