For the first time, Malta is to take part in Bonhams’s ‘Jewellery in June’ valuation campaign.

Jewellery in June has been a feature in the UK for the past 11 years.

The nationwide campaign has offered owners all over the country the chance of a free confidential valuation from the jewellery specialists. The event will now be run in Malta.

Bonhams jewellery specialist Sabrina O’Cock and Rome representative Emma Dalla Libera will be at the Phoenica Hotel tomorrow. Sabrina said: “Bonhams is now recognised as the auctioneer of choice for those selling the very best jewellery. With 40 auctions taking place across the year, we sell more jewellery than any other auction house.”

During 2014 Bonhams sold more than €72 million worth of jewellery, including an emerald and diamond ring for €502,615 against an estimate of €208,000 to €277,000 and a pair of Cartier ruby and diamond art deco brooches for €668,300, vastly exceeding their pre-sale estimate of €110,997 to €166,440.

The specialists will be able to value all kinds of jewels from coloured stones, to diamonds, natural pearls, signed period jewellery and artist jewellery from the 1960s and 1970s. According to O’Cock, coloured stones are becoming more popular.

“There has been a notable move towards colour – our buyers are becoming bolder in their choices and looking at alternatives to diamonds. Indeed, coloured stones have actually outstripped diamonds in value over the past decade. Burmese rubies are most in demand, followed by Kashmir sapphires, Burmese sapphires and Colombian emeralds.”

For more information and appointments, call Sabrina O’Cock on +44 (0)20 7468 8277, or e-mail sabrina.ocock@bonhams.com or press@bonhams.com.