Sotheby's jewellery sale this Wednesday was a substantial success, lead be a selection of yellow diamond pieces.

The collectible pieces were supplemented, however, by two white diamond rings. One of these was expected to be a bit hit, as we described, the other was not.

The square, emerald cut 9.58ct diamond set in platinum from a New York estate sold on target at $128,500.

But a big surprise came from a size 9 ring formed from platinum with an antique cushion-shaped diamond (11.89ct) mounted in it, with two tapered baguette diamonds by its sides.

Antique White Diamond Ring ($110,500)

Expected to sell for only $35,000-45,000, this piece from a private collector sparked a small bidding war and finally left the stage for an impressive $110,500.

Whilst not as extraordinary as the £147m art sale Sotheby's held in London on the same day, the $6.4m this auction brought forms another part of a promising start to the year for the auction house.

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Images: Sotheby's