MajorsJan 20, 2023
Quality Gold Acquires Herco AuctionsFeb 10, 2023
Report: Private Equity Firm Looking to Sell Bonhams
Epiris reportedly is in the early stages of gauging market interest in the auction house, which it acquired in 2018.
The inside of Cornette de Saint Cyr auction house in Paris. Cornette de Saint Cyr was one of five acquisitions Bonhams made after private equity firm Epiris bought it in late 2018. Now, Epiris is reportedly exploring the idea of selling Bonhams in a $1 billion deal. (© Fatima Jellaoui)
New York—Private equity firm Epiris is reportedly looking to sell Bonhams after buying the 230-year-old auction house a little over four years ago and growing the business via a series of acquisitions.
Citing confidential sources close to the matter, Bloomberg reported Monday that the London-based private equity firm is working with advisers at JPMorgan Chase & Co. as it debates the idea of putting the auction house up for sale.
Epiris will value the auction house at $1 billion in any deal, according to Bloomberg. Talks reportedly are in the “early stages” and may not result in any transaction.
Bonhams directed press inquiries about the potential sale to Epiris. Epiris declined to comment on the report.
Epiris bought Bonhams, which was founded in London in 1793, in 2018 for an undisclosed amount.
Since its purchase by the private equity firm, Bonhams made five acquisitions worldwide over a 14-month period.
Its first acquisition took place in April 2021 when it bought The Market, an online marketplace for classic cars and collectible motorcycles.
It bought Bukowskis, an auction house with its flagship showroom in Stockholm, Sweden, in January 2022.
Then, in the same week in March 2022, Bonhams announced it was acquiring both Boston-based Skinner and Bruun Rasmussen, which is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Its fifth acquisition took place in June of that year, buying the Cornette de Saint Cyr auction house in Paris.
The acquisition helped push Bonhams’ sales over the $1 billion mark for the first time in company history.
The company said its sales registration levels rose by 57 percent year-over-year in 2022—almost four times its pre-pandemic (and pre-acquisitions) levels—and more than half of those who bought something from Bonhams last year were first-time customers at the auction house.
North America and Europe were Bonhams’ biggest markets, each accounting for about 33 percent of sales, followed by the U.K. at 19 percent and Asia-Pacific at 16 percent.
The auction house held a number of notable single-owner sales last year, including the personal property of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Vegas mainstays Siegfried & Roy, and actor Sir Michael Caine. Caine’s possessions included a collection of watches that belonged to him and his wife, Lady Shakira Caine, as well as a number of pieces of jewelry she designed and wore.
Among Bonhams’ top lots of the year was a rare emerald and diamond Cartier bracelet, which sold for $3.2 million.
GradingJan 17, 2023
IGI CEO Confirms Report of Potential Sale 
GradingJan 13, 2023
Sarine To Acquire Majority Stake in GCAL More on Auctions
The Latest
TrendsFeb 25, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
SourcingFeb 25, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
EditorsFeb 25, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
IndependentsFeb 25, 2026
Borsheims Names 2025 ‘Ike-It’ Award WinnerRachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.
Policies & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
WatchesFeb 24, 2026
Chrono24 Names New VP, U.S. General ManagerFormer Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.
SourcingFeb 23, 2026
Designer Eddie Sakamoto, a Humble Artist, Dies at 72Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.
Events & AwardsFeb 23, 2026
NYCJAOS Announces Four-Day Spring ShowThe April event will feature a new VIP shopping day requiring a special ticket.
TrendsFeb 23, 2026
Dua Lipa Is Bulgari’s New AmbassadorBulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.
Policies & IssuesFeb 20, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Against Most of President Trump’s TariffsIn a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
Events & AwardsFeb 19, 2026
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Returns in MarchThe show will be held March 26-30 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
MajorsFeb 18, 2026
Select Jewelry Inks Agreement to Distribute Lightweight Gold JewelryIt will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
Events & AwardsFeb 18, 2026
DCA to Host Gemstone Selling Education Session at IJO EventThe nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
