Joan Crawford’s Raymond Yard Suite Sells for $250K
The yellow gold and citrine suite soared past estimates at Heritage Auctions’ spring jewelry sale.

Crawford appeared in dozens of films from the 1920s to the 1970s, winning an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the 1946 film “Mildred Pierce.”
A yellow gold and citrine suite, worn in the 1941 film “When Ladies Meet” and in a print ad for Royal Crown Cola, was among the actress’ pieces that hit the auction block.
The necklace, brooch, and bracelet were commissioned from Raymond Yard, the iconic American jeweler known for his Art Deco designs.
Crawford’s suite kept the auctioneer on his toes, with bids streaming in from phone and online buyers.
Ultimately, it sold for $250,000, flying past its estimate of $15,000 to $20,000 and making it the second highest-grossing lot in the auction.
“We knew the star-studded combination of Joan Crawford and Raymond Yard would be an attention-getter, but we were beyond thrilled with the final result,” said Jill Burgum, Heritage Auctions senior director of fine jewelry. “That was an exciting moment for the winning bidder, as well as for everyone in the auction room.”
The top lot of the auction, pictured below, was a 21.93-carat diamond and gold necklace, which sold for $300,000, exceeding its estimate of between $200,000 and $250,000.

A total of 15 jewels belonging to the actress, dancer, and singer Gaynor also were up for sale.
Gaynor starred in several movie musicals, including “There’s No Business Like Show Business” (1954), “Anything Goes” (1956), and “South Pacific” (1958).
A pair of Colombian emerald and diamond brooches owned by Gaynor sold for $45,000, within the estimated $40,000 to $60,000.

A Balogh sailor brooch, pictured below, a nod to her role in “South Pacific,” was also up for sale.

The brooch, set with diamonds, sapphires, and freshwater cultured pearls sold for $6,250, within its estimated $5,000 to $7,000.
There were also several notable jewelry lots outside of the Hollywood stars’ collections.

A 19.02-carat diamond and platinum ring, pictured above, belonging to artist and businesswoman Phyllis Rubin, sold for $237,500, exceeding its estimate of $150,000 to $200,000.
Items from the estate of energy titan Cary Maguire also hit the auction block, including a 105.1-carat cushion-cut tanzanite set in a pendant.

The pendant sold for $47,500, just below its $50,000 and $70,000 estimate.
Branded jewelry from Van Cleef & Arpels, JAR, and others were also up for auction.

A Seaman Schepps Ceylon sapphire, diamond, and platinum bracelet, pictured above, was estimated to sell for between $80,000 and $100,000, but failed to find a buyer.

The Van Cleef brooch, pictured above, circa 1950, features diamonds and sapphires set in platinum and gold. It sold for $52,500, just above its $30,000-$50,000 estimate.
There were 20 pairs of earrings up for sale from designer JAR, or Joel Arthur Rosenthal.
All 20 pairs were sold for between $5,250 to $27,500.

The above earrings in gold and aluminum sold for $13,650, nearly double the high-end of its $5,000 to $7,000 estimate.
The auction brought in a total of nearly $5.4 million.
The Latest

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.

“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.

Emmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

The wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.


As demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

Globally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.

The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.

Production at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.

A new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.

The middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.

It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.

The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.

Jake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.

The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.

The Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.

Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.