Alderfer Auctions two-day event topped the high estimate at over $700,000 on Aug 12 and 13. Over 3,000 bidders from 23 countries flocked to their screens and phones, placing bids for the eclectic mix of fine and decorative arts, furnishings, silver and jewelry featured in the live online-only event. Although clich, but true, a diamond truly is a girls best friend, and that was proven in the final bid for a stunning 2.22-carat round brilliant cut diamond solitaire ring set in 14-carat gold. The ring came to Alderfers as a mans ring, in a heavy yellow gold setting with melee diamonds, a piece worthy of Tony Sopranos finger. It took the market driven know-how of Alderfer jewelry specialist Deb Peifer to see beyond the original setting to see what the diamond could become. With her guidance, the diamond was certified by GIA and reset into a ladies engagement setting, the ring was marketed as an engagement ring and caught the eye of a worthy suitor for $13,800. That wasnt the only piece of jewelry that found its way to the block thanks to an Alderfer specialist. You never know what may lay tucked away as a collection is being assessed. While curating pieces for upcoming auctions, senior specialist of Fine and Decorative Arts, Christian Answini, uncovered a stunning Tiffany & Co. platinum aquamarine and diamond ring in the pocket of a Louis Vuitton handbag. The piece of blue ice garnered a lot of attention, selling for $9,600. Another Tiffany & Co. piece also performed up to its brands legacy, an 18-carat gold nautical watch and chain necklace with compass and anchor charms sold for $3,600. The hits didnt stop there. Rolexes made an impressive showing, and the highest selling piece, a vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Pepsi GMT Master from the 1970s, went for $19,200. This item was uncovered during the processing of an Alderfer Online Auction from a small estate in Bucks County, Pa. Two other vintage Rolexes, an Oyster Perpetual Submariner and an Oyster Perpetual Explorer Albino, sold for $15,600 and $14,400, respectively. Jewelry wasnt the only specialty stealing the show during the first days auction. Silver made its worth known in a monumental German, jeweled sterling silver Knights and Ladies chess set. After a well-played match, the set sold for $12,000. Other noteworthy pieces were a Wang Hing Chinese export silver scalloped edge bowl perched on dragons feet with songbird decorated panels that sold for $1,920 and a 106-piece set of International sterling silver flatware in the Empress Eugenie pattern that sold for $4,200. Day two of the Collectors Auction event kept the momentum going, starting with a piece that was procured by Alderfers veteran Ephemera and Historical specialist. The featured lot, an 1870s photo album containing 74 images of life in Canton, China, Hong Kong, and areas of Japan, sold for $9,000. Alderfer Auction has maintained the distinction over the last 20 years as a reputable source of art by the Pennsylvania Impressionists, holding records for sales at auction for Walter E. Baum, George Sotter and others. This auction continued the tradition with a classic Sotter oil-on-board winter night scene titled Gloucester selling to a phone bidder in New York for $60,000. The second of two Sotter paintings, both previously exhibited at the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pa., Fishing Village by Moonlight sold for $33,000 to a private collector in Bucks County. Rounding out the Pennsylvania Impressionist art representation was another former Michener piece by artist Charles Hargens, titled Washington Crossing, 1776. It sold for $7,200 to a local historian and collector, and an oil-on-canvas titled Spring by Walter E. Baum sold for $4,200. Contemporary Philadelphia native Impressionist painter Laurence A. Campbell was well represented with an oil-on-canvas titled Flower Garden in Carversville selling for $6,600. Featured in this auction was the collection of Edward and Nancy Driscoll. Mr. Driscoll was a nationally known builder and construction manager and the retired chairman and CEO of the L.F. Driscoll Co., which has built some of the most iconic buildings in Philadelphia. Notable items from the collection included an impressive collection of Chinese Export porcelain with receipts from a Whos Who list in the trade. Kicking off the collection was a Lotus dish and set of tea bowls selling online for $1,940 and $2,700. The following lots sold out two by two: a pair of Blanc De Chine elephant candle holders for $1,500 and a pair of export garnitures for $1,020. Brown furniture and rugs are looking up as a set of six Philadelphia late Federal tiger maple side chairs sold for $7,800. A Philadelphia shell-carved walnut Chippendale side chair realized $7,200. Receiving many inquires, a Chippendale secretary desk appointed with a fretwork broken arch pediment sold for $5,100. A stunning French marquetry and ormolu mounted writing table realized $10,200. Two room-size Serapi carpets sold for $8,125 and $5,100. For more information, call 215-393-3000 or visit www.alderferauction.com.