Potomac Estate Jewelers, a Maryland-based purveyor of rare and unique pieces of estate and antique jewelry, has kicked off its first auction on the online iGavel site. The 2008 Summer Jewelry Auction, featuring property from prominent Washington, D.C., estates, launched June 13 and will run through July 1.

The last two jewelry auctions hosted on iGavel drew a substantial new audience thanks to the quality of the items featured and the site's growing Web presence, the company said in a media release, so bidding at the current auction is expected to be intense.

Among the highlights of the Summer Jewelry Auction is a platinum, diamond and gem brooch in the shape of a flower basket, starting at $8,000. The brooch features 25 round diamonds, one large pear-shaped diamond, one marquise-cut sapphire, one emerald and a variety of additional diamonds and rubies.

Other significant pieces include a panther-shaped brooch in 18-karat white gold with two emerald eyes and pavé-set sapphires, starting at $5,000; a diamond and sapphire fish-shaped brooch/pendant in 18-karat white gold, expected to sell in a range from $4,000 to $5,000; a long, uniform cultured-pearl strand with a diamond clasp, expected to fetch between $1,000 and $1,500; and a heavy link bracelet in 18-karat yellow gold, weighing 6.5 ounces and starting at $4,000.