He later said: “Two dealer brothers arrived at our office with a suitcase of large Brazilian stones – aquamarines, citrines, tourmalines and rough amethysts in quantities I had never seen before. I persuaded my father-in-law to buy the entire collection and I set to work designing. This was the beginning of my career.”
Pieces using semi-precious stones in their raw form have become among the most desirable of Grima pieces.
The July 14 sale at Lyon & Turnbull (25/20% buyer’s premium) included a prime-period Grima pendant in its original box hallmarked for HJ Co and London 1968. Measuring just over 3in (8cm), it featured a stylised and textured mount set with brilliant-cut diamonds clasping a large blue-green tourmaline crystal.
It sold at £11,000.
An 18ct gold, garnet and diamond ring by Andrew Grima – £2200 at Roseberys.
A Grima ring with hallmarks for HJ Co, London 1970, took £2200 at Roseberys London (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) on June 23.
Fashioned in 18ct gold and a panel of pave-set brilliant-cut diamonds, its principal stone was a rectangular-cut garnet.
