AuctionsDec 02, 2022
Here’s How 2 Royal Jewels Performed at Auction in DenmarkAuctionsDec 06, 2022
Jewels from the Sunken ‘Ship of Gold’ Smash Auction Estimates
Holabird Western Americana Collections offered hundreds of treasures recovered from the S.S. Central America in its Dec. 3 sale.
This gold ring featuring a gold-bearing quartz sold for $14,400 (compared with a $1,000 estimate) in Holabird Americana’s recent auction of treasures from the sunken S.S. Central America.
Reno, Nevada—Bidding for the lost treasures of the “Ship of Gold” was strong in one recent auction.
The S.S. Central America sank off the coast of South Carolina during a hurricane in 1857 while traveling from Panama to New York City.
In addition to losing the lives of more than 400 of its passengers, tons of gold bars and coins from the California Gold Rush valued in the millions also went down with the ship.
Recovery from the shipwreck occurred in stages: between 1988-1991 and then again in 2014.
In a Dec. 3 sale, Holabird Western Americana Collections auctioned off gold jewelry, vintage clothing, and other historic items recovered from the site.
The top jewelry lots smashed their pre-sale estimates.
One highlight was a pair of gold watch case covers featuring customized California Gold Rush engravings—one side has a miner leading his pack burro with supplies away from Yerba Buena (the early settlement that became San Francisco) while the other shows the miner heading out of town with San Francisco in the background.
The pair sold for a total of $26,400 (including buyer’s premium), against a $5,000 estimate.
A gold ring with a 10 x 8 mm oval of gold-bearing white quartz went for $14,400, compared with its $1,000 estimate, and a rare medal/badge presented by the Order of Saint Maurice and Saint Lazarus, the world’s second oldest order of knighthood, went for $13,200, compared with a pre-sale estimate of $2,000.
See: Highlights from the S.S. Central America Auction
These two gold watch case covers were one of Holabird’s top lots, selling for $26,400 in the auction (compared with a pre-sale estimate of $5,000). One side has an engraving of a miner leading his pack burro with supplies away from Yerba Buena (the early settlement that became San Francisco) while the other shows the miner heading out of town with San Francisco in the background.
This rare medal/badge presented by the Order of Saint Maurice and Saint Lazarus, the world’s second oldest order of knighthood, went for $13,200 in the auction. It was estimated to sell for $2,000.
This gold pendant with a piece of gold-bearing white quartz mounted in a frame that allows the stone to spin sold for $11,100 against an initial estimate of $2,000.
There was also a double stickpin featuring two gold nuggets, each of which are soldered to a 1.5-inch stick pin, that are then joined by a four-inch gold curb chain, that sold for $12,000 against an initial estimate of $1,000.
A gold pendant made from a 25 x 22 x 4 mm piece of gold-bearing white quartz mounted in a frame that lets the stone spin on a horizontal axis and featuring an engraving reading “G.F.C. Banks” sold for $11,100 compared to a pre-sale estimate of $2,000.
A dome-shaped pinback with 15 irregularly shaped diamonds—with the largest at center, surrounded by seven slightly smaller diamonds and again by another seven smaller diamonds—in 18-karat gold garnered $8,400 at the sale.
There were also several rings with heart shapes that would’ve eventually been engraved with lovers’ initials that sold for above their estimates.
The auction also featured many other interesting items from the sunken ship.
The top lot of the sale overall was a pair of men’s work pants recovered from a trunk in the ship. According to Holabird, the five-button fly suggests they were an early manufacture of work pants sold by Levi Strauss and appear to be miner’s pants.
They went for $114,000 at the auction, more than doubling their pre-sale estimate.
A ring with three brass keys and a brass key tag engraved with “// S.S. Central America / Purser Hall / S. L. //” recovered from the purser’s safe went for $103,200; and a Wells, Fargo & Co. engraved treasure box lid—the only known piece of an original Wells Fargo gold treasure box from the California Gold Rush of the 1850s, according to Holabird—sold for $99,600.
To see the full results, visit HolabirdAmericana.com.
A second auction featuring hundreds of additional artifacts from the shipwreck will be held in February.
More on Auctions
The Latest
WatchesOct 06, 2025
This Fall, Citizen’s Forecast Calls for RainCitizen’s new “Rainell” women’s watch has a raindrop-shaped case and is available with a silver-, gold-, purple-, or green-colored dial.
GradingOct 06, 2025
GIA India Names Former De Beers Exec as New Managing DirectorAmit Pratihari was previously the managing director of De Beers India and Forevermark India.
SourcingOct 06, 2025
SoCal 24 Karat Club Integrates Into Diamond Club West CoastMembers of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will gain access to expanded services, resources, and connections, DCWC said.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White MetalsGomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.
Weekly QuizOct 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEODiamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire RingTaylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed SandIts “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.
TrendsOct 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Colorful ShowThe month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-ReflectionSmith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.
EditorsOct 01, 2025
Playing Favorites: The Best Jewelry From VicenzaoroAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.
SurveysOct 01, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Month Low in September Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.
SourcingOct 01, 2025
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Falls 47%Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.
MajorsSep 30, 2025
Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.
CrimeSep 30, 2025
2 Suspects Charged in $300K Sleight-of-Hand Jewelry Store ScamTwo men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.
CollectionsSep 30, 2025
Billie Eilish, Finneas Partner with John HardyThe “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.
IndependentsSep 30, 2025
Spinelli Kilcollin Announces Residency in DallasThe brand, celebrating its 15th anniversary, has popped up at Market, a luxury fashion destination in Highland Park Village.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Nina Pugliese, Longtime Henne Jewelers Employee, Dies at 65She was remembered as a creative and generous woman of faith, who also had a sweet tooth.
TrendsSep 29, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Ear FocusMove over neck mess, the ear story is the way to make a layering statement today.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Mark Henry Jewelry to Debut in CanadaThe New York-based brand is set to launch a limited-time offering for the holiday season at Holt Renfrew in Toronto.
MajorsSep 29, 2025
Overnight Releases New Bridal CatalogThe “Volume 7” bridal catalog features best-selling engagement rings, trending styles, and a new section highlighting anniversary bands.
SurveysSep 26, 2025
Online Shopping, Influencers to Drive Holiday Spending, Mastercard SaysHoliday sales growth is expected to slow as consumers grapple with inflation and tariff-related uncertainty.
Events & AwardsSep 26, 2025
Winners of Austin Jewelry Design Contest Announced Jamie Turner Designs is among the winners of the local “Austin Shines” contest, hosted by Eliza Page, a jewelry store in Austin, Texas.
TrendsSep 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kwit Jewelry’s Square Signet Pinky RingThe red and azure colorway is one of many fun enamel pairings offered, bringing whimsy to the classic style of a monogramed signet ring.
