Bonhams to Auction Large Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl Ring
National Jewelerreports that Bonhams and Butterfields will be auctioning a very large cat's eye chrysoberyl ring in Los Angeles on December 6th. The ring contains a 47.8 carat cabochon and is expected to fetch as much as $140,000.
The stone's cabochon weighs an impressive 47.8 carats--many times greater than the typical 1 to 5 carats found commercially available on the market, Bonhams said in a media release. The gem is set in a platinum mount and surrounded by 32 marquise-cut diamonds. It is estimated to fetch between $120,000 and $140,000.
"The cat's eye stone is highly sought after by connoisseurs, gemstone and jewelry collectors," Natural History Co-Consulting Director Claudia Florian said in the release. "Interest in chrysoberyl jewelry, for both men and women, has grown exponentially in the past several years. The larger gemstones, such as the 47.8-carat example featured in the holiday auction, are extremely rare."
Bonhams has a smaller cat's eye going up for auction in London on September 23rd.
National Jeweler 
