AuctionsDec 07, 2022
Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Auction Totals Nearly $59M in New YorkAuctionsDec 08, 2022
Shipwreck Emerald Sells for More Than $1M at Auction
The 5.27-carat stone, salvaged from the wreck of the Spanish ship Nuestra Señora de Atocha, blew pre-sale estimates out of the water.
This 5.27-carat emerald ring that belonged to author and philanthropist Mitzi Perdue and was pulled from a 400-year-old shipwreck sold for more than a $1 million at Sotheby’s jewelry auction Wednesday. AGL confirmed in an updated report that it is a Colombian emerald that has undergone only minor, standard clarity enhancement, Sotheby’s said.
New York—An emerald recovered from a 400-year-old shipwreck blew pre-sale estimates out of the water Wednesday at Sotheby’s “Magnificent Jewels” sale in New York.
Estimated at $50,000-$70,000, the 5.27-carat octagonal step-cut emerald mounted on a gold band sold for $1.2 million after a five-minute round of bidding.
Recovered in its rough form, the emerald was among the treasures salvaged from the wreck of the Spanish ship Nuestra Señora de Atocha, which was sailing back to Spain from Colombia and Panama when it sunk amid a storm in the Florida Keys in September 1622.
Treasure hunters found the lost ship in 1985.
One of the financial backers of its recovery was the late Frank Perdue, longtime head of Perdue Farms.
While Perdue donated some of the treasures pulled from the shipwreck, he had one rough emerald cut and mounted into the ring he used to propose to his wife, Mitzi Perdue (née Henderson), an author and philanthropist, in 1988.
The emerald came to Sotheby’s directly from her collection, with all the proceeds from its sale benefitting humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
“Outside of its superb color, cut, clarity and size, when one considers that this gem is part of one of the richest discoveries of sunken treasure in all of history, the appeal to collectors in search of superlatives is extraordinary,” said Sotheby’s senior jewelry specialist Alexander Eblen.
“It’s been a privilege to have been a chapter in the emerald’s continued storybook journey, and to know that the proceeds will benefit such a worthy cause.”
When Sotheby’s originally announced the stone’s sale last month, the emerald’s weight was reported as 6.25 carats.
Sotheby’s said Thursday the previously reported weight was an approximation derived from measurements, explaining that the stone was in a bezel setting when Mitzi brought it to the auction house, which did not allow its specialists to see its full breadth.
Prior to the sale, she allowed the auction house to remove the emerald from its mounting and have it evaluated by American Gemological Laboratories, which determined its exact carat weight.
Part of Sotheby’s “Magnificent Jewels” sale in New York, the emerald was one of a number of notable jewels up for auction Wednesday in a sale that totaled $50 million and was 81 percent sold by lot.
The 303-carat “Golden Canary” diamond found a buyer, as did eight of the nine pieces of Egyptian Revival jewelry offered by Sotheby’s as a nod to the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tut’s tomb.
German goldsmith Gustav Manz collaborated with Arts & Crafts jewelry designer F. Walter Lawrence on the “Desert” brooch. When lit from behind, the glass has an amber glow “capturing the magic and mystery of ancient Egypt,” Sotheby’s said.
Their sale totaled $1.8 million.
Among the highlights was the circa 1901 gold and ancient glass “Desert” brooch pictured above, which sold for three times more than excepted. Estimated to go for $10,000 to $15,000, a buyer paid $44,100 for the piece.
A diamond and colored stone bracelet from Lacloche Frères garnered $1.2 million while a pair of Lacloche Frères ear clips circa 1925 garnered $352,800, toward the low end of their estimated range of $300,000-$500,000.
This Lacloche Frères Egyptian Revival bracelet set with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emerald sold near the top end of its pre-sale estimated range of $1 million to $1.5 million, with a buyer paying $1.2 million for the piece.
These Lacloche Frères ear clips depict two Egyptian figures and are set with old European- and single-cut diamonds, buff-top emeralds, rubies, and onyx, with articulated fringe set with diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. They sold for $352,800.
A buyer paid more than $60,000 for this Egyptian Revival brooch from Italian jewelry house Castellani.
However, this Egyptian Revival necklace from the Italian jewelry house did not sell.
A brooch from Castellani featuring a scarab made out of Egyptian faience (a ceramic material) and carved with the baboon god sold for $63,000 against an estimate of $50,000 to $150,000.
Another jewel from the Italian jewelry house—a gold necklace featuring micromosaic and scarabs carved in soapstone estimated at $450,000 to $600,000—was the lone Egyptian Revival piece that did not sell.
An Egyptian Revival necklace Louis Comfort Tiffany made for Tiffany & Co. in 1913, pictured directly above, sold for $75,600, near the top end of its estimated range of $60,000 to $80,000.
The double-strand necklace features an amulet with an oval-shaped lapis lazuli cabochon suspended from a double strand of gold, lapis lazuli, turquoise, carnelian, and green hardstone beads.
Sotheby’s said the necklace can be viewed as a modern interpretation of an ancient Egyptian “menat,” a type of beaded necklace intended to bring good luck, fortune, and protection.
More on Auctions
The Latest
ColumnistsDec 09, 2025
Holiday Sales Happen in December, Most Decisions Don’tMost customers who walk into your store this month have made up their minds. Your job is to validate their choice, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
TrendsDec 09, 2025
‘Once Upon a Time,’ Guzema Debuted Its Holiday CollectionThe collection features characters and motifs from Ukrainian folklore, including an enchanted mirror and a magic egg.
TechnologyDec 09, 2025
Gemvision Releases Updated MatrixGoldMatrixGold 3.11, the newest version of the jewelry design program, offers more flexibility, precision, and creative control.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
Events & AwardsDec 09, 2025
MJSA Showcase Pavilion Returning to JA New York The pavilion will be part of the 2026 JA New York Spring show, scheduled for March 15 to 17.
Weekly QuizDec 04, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsDec 08, 2025
Juell Kadet, a ‘Lifelong Pillar’ of Rogers & Hollands, Dies at 96Kadet, a 1994 National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame inductee, helped grow the family-owned retailer in the Chicago area and beyond.
TechnologyDec 08, 2025
You’ve Heard of Smart Watches and Rings; Meet Smart EarringsBilled as the world’s smallest wearable, Lumia Health’s new smart earrings have a health tracker subtly embedded in the back.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
TrendsDec 08, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Celebrating December’s BirthstonesDon’t let those with December birthdays feel blue. Help them celebrate their month with blue zircon, turquoise, and tanzanite.
CollectionsDec 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s ‘Tsar Star’ EarringsThe new pink sapphire version of the piece dances with its wearer in the brand’s “Icons After Dark” holiday campaign.
TrendsDec 05, 2025
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2026 Is … WhiteA choice that’s generated a lot of commentary, Pantone says “Cloud Dancer” marks a fresh start and encourages relaxation and creativity.
MajorsDec 05, 2025
Stuller Releases ‘Wrapped in Wonder’ CampaignThe manufacturer’s holiday campaign features a gift guide filled with trending designs and jewelry that can be personalized.
CrimeDec 04, 2025
Man Arrested After Allegedly Swallowing Fabergé Egg PendantThe man was charged with theft, accused of ingesting the necklace while in a jewelry store in Auckland, New Zealand.
IndependentsDec 04, 2025
Step Inside JR Dunn Jewelers’ Giant New Store The Florida independent expanded its store from 8,000 to 14,000 square feet, fulfilling the vision of its late co-founder, Jim Dunn.
Supplier BulletinDec 04, 2025
Introducing Shop Natural Day: A New Movement Celebrating Natural DiamondsSponsored by De Beers Group
WatchesDec 04, 2025
Casio Shrinks its G-Shock WatchThe classic 5600 series G-Shock has been scaled down to about a tenth of its size, becoming a fully functioning watch ring.
Events & AwardsDec 04, 2025
AGA Announces 2026 Tucson Speaker LineupThe association’s annual conference and gala will take place Feb. 4, 2026, during the Tucson gem shows.
Events & AwardsDec 04, 2025
CBG Announces Speaker Lineup for 2026 Miami Event The January show will include a workshop for jewelry retailers on implementing AI to strengthen their businesses.
TrendsDec 03, 2025
Miley Cyrus Debuts Edgy Engagement RingFellow musician Maxx Morando proposed to the star with a chunky, cushion-cut diamond ring designed by Jacquie Aiche.
Policies & IssuesDec 03, 2025
Costco Joins Growing Wave of Retailers Suing for Tariff Refunds The retailer, which sells billions in fine jewelry and watches, is suing the Trump administration and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
SurveysDec 03, 2025
A Record 202.9M Shoppers Turned Out Thanksgiving WeekendBlack Friday is still the most popular shopping day over the five-day holiday weekend, as per the National Retail Federation’s survey.
FinancialsDec 02, 2025
Signet Jewelers’ Q3 Sales Up Amid Continued Focus on Lower Price PointsThe retailer offered more fashion jewelry priced under $1,000, including lab-grown diamond and men’s jewelry.
CollectionsDec 02, 2025
Briony Raymond Introduces First FragranceThe eau de parfum is held in a fluted glass bottle that mirrors the decor of the brand’s atelier, and its cap is a nod to its “Sloan” ring.
SourcingDec 02, 2025
Petra Diamonds Elevates Interim CEOs to Permanent StatusVivek Gadodia and Juan Kemp, who’ve been serving as interim co-CEOs since February, will continue to lead the diamond mining company.
MajorsDec 02, 2025
Lee Krombholz Takes Over as Chair of MJSA Education FoundationIn addition, a slate of new officers and trustees were appointed to the board.
IndependentsDec 02, 2025
RJO Welcomes Its 1,200th Retail MemberWitt’s Jewelry in Wayne, Nebraska, is the organization’s new milestone member.
SourcingDec 02, 2025
Brendan Laurs Honored With 2025 Bonanno AwardLaurs is the editor-in-chief of Gem-A’s The Journal of Gemmology and an expert on the formation of colored gemstone deposits.
