A 9.22 ct. D-IF marquise-cut diamond ring (pictured, right) sold for $969,838 at ­Bonhams’ Fine Jewellery Sale in London on Dec. 8.

Overall, the sale realized $6.38 million, with 82 percent sold by lot and 90 percent sold by value. Jean Ghika, director of the house’s jewelry department, said in a statement that Bonhams’ jewelry sales were up 70 percent over 2010. She added that in a difficult economic climate, more buyers want “tangible assets” like diamonds.