Saffronart strengthen its position as fine Jewels & Watches ecomm destination

Saffronart, the online fine-art auction house has firmly established itself as a platform to showcase unique, valuable and collectible jewelry in India and internationally with the conclusion of its fifth online auction of jewelry. The enthusiastic response to the Autumn Online Auction of Fine Jewels and Watches reaffirms the buyer confidence in bidding for jewelry online, and reflected a strong demand for rare and collectible jewelry.

This autumn, Saffronart offered the finest examples of traditional Indian jewelry as well as one-of-a kind important pieces from some of the most sought-after jewelers including Fred Leighton and Tiffany. The Autumn Online Auction of Fine Jewels and Watches 2010 offered collectors an exceptional range of lots including breathtaking diamonds, important emeralds, traditional and contemporary Indian jewelry as well as impressive natural pearl necklaces. The auction also featured the largest collection of timepieces to be sold by auction in India and witnessed unprecedented and very active participation from bidders across the world.

After two days of bidding, the top lots sold were a Magnificent Pair of Emerald and Diamond Ear Pendants for Rs. 85.10 lakhs (USD 197,907); an Exquisite Three-Strand Natural Pearl Necklace for Rs. 24.15 lakhs (USD 56,163); a Majestic Emerald and Diamond Ring for Rs. 14.46 lakhs (USD 33,631); a Patek Philippe Men's 18 K Yellow Gold `Annual Calendar` Wristwatch for Rs. 12.37 lakhs (USD 28,762) and a Pair of Emerald, Pearl and Diamond Ear Pendants for Rs 12.11 lakhs (USD 28,175).

Minal Vazirani, Co-founder and President of Saffronart said, ""Our Autumn Online Auction of Fine Jewels 2010 was defined by extremely significant and well priced coloured gemstones, diamonds and natural pearls. In addition to unique coloured gemstones, signed pieces by Fred Leighton and limited edition wrist and pocket watches also proved very popular."

The only auction house dealing in fine jewelry and watches in India, Saffronart has successfully leveraged its innovative technology and online platform to offer rare jewels of exceptional quality and provenance to interested buyers across the globe. Since the company's inaugural auction of Fine Jewels and Watches in October 2008, Saffronart has created new benchmarks in the Indian jewelry auction market, offering a platform that features exquisite jewels from around the world, and high value collectibles to Indian and international audiences.

"This autumn, Saffronart's sale was a compilation of both jewels and watches. We were delighted to see the timepieces on offer attract so much excitement and command prices commensurate with their elegance and importance. Patek Philippe dominated the top prices among the wristwatches and pocketwatches with the Men's 18 K Yellow Gold "Annual Calendar' Wristwatch selling for Rs. 12.37 lakhs (USD 28,762) and the Ladies Platinum and Diamond Wristwatch selling for Rs. 6.95 lakhs (USD 16,158) well in excess of its upper pre-sale estimate," Minal Vazirani added.

The Saffronart platform showcases the best of Indian and international pieces and designers, reaching out to jewelry owners and buyers across the world, as well as the global jewelry trade. As clients' needs and collecting tastes evolve, Saffronart continues to demonstrate innovation and complete transparency, with published prices, certificates for individual stones, multiple images of pieces, histories and backgrounds of jewels, designers, and information on traditional techniques such as kundan setting and minakari.

The 2010 Autumn Online Auction of Fine Jewels and Watches was accompanied by a handsomely illustrated catalogue and exclusive preview events and private viewings in Hong Kong, Mumbai and New York.