AuctionsMay 01, 2023
NY Times Examines Nazi Ties to Heidi Horten Fortune Ahead of Jewelry Auction AuctionsMay 08, 2023
WFDB Joins Those Objecting to Heidi Horten Auction at Christie’s
Jewish organizations are calling on Christie’s to halt the auction or donate a greater portion of the proceeds to Holocaust education.
This Bulgari diamond, sapphire, and emerald necklace is part of Christie’s auction of the jewels of late Austrian billionaire Heidi Horten. After a New York Times report detailed how her husband, Helmut Horten, profited when the Nazis forced Jewish business owners to sell at rock-bottom prices, organizations are calling for Christie’s to call off the sale or for a larger portion of the proceeds to be donated to Holocaust education.
New York—Christie’s auction of the jewels of late Austrian billionaire Heidi Horten first made headlines for its show-stopping pieces, but the dark backstory of how her husband built his fortune continues to overshadow the sale.
Late last month, The New York Times detailed how Helmut Horten profited when the Nazis forced Jewish people to sell their businesses at low prices.
This report and Christie’s plans to move forward with the jewelry auction have sparked outrage within the jewelry industry as well as among Jewish organizations.
In a letter to François Curiel, chairman of Christie’s Europe, dated May 5 the World Federation of Diamond Bourses said it objects to the sale and felt it necessary to express its outrage.
“In a time of Holocaust denial and the resurgence of anti-Semitism around the world, we find it especially appalling that a world-renowned auction house would engage in such a sale,” wrote WFDB President Yoram Dvash.
In an earlier statement, Christie’s CEO Guillaume Cerutti said: “It was never Christie’s intention to hide information about the well-documented history of Mr. Horten and we have added relevant information to our sale materials and website to ensure that the facts are clear to all.”
Following the backlash, the auction house said it will be donating a “significant” portion of the final sale proceeds to unspecified organizations that further Holocaust research and education.
WFDB is asking Christie’s to go a step further than that.
“The WFDB strongly requests that if Christie’s insists on holding the Horten auction, that you personally ensure that the major portion of the proceeds be donated by Christie’s to charities supporting the welfare of Holocaust survivors, as well as commemoration and education.”
The organization also requested that the amount of the contribution and its recipients be shared with the public.
In a statement shared with National Jeweler this morning, Anthea Peers, president of Christie’s Europe, Middle East and Africa, said Christie’s was aware of how Helmut built his wealth but added, “However—and without ignoring or excusing Mr. Horten’s actions in any way— the jewelry collection of his wife, Heidi Horten, was assembled decades later, between the beginning of the 1970s and 2022, the year of her death.”
As for the donation, Christie’s reiterated that a “significant portion” of its commission will be donated to Holocaust research and education.
“It will be up to these organizations, if they wish, to communicate about these donations,” said Peers.
Related stories will be right here …
Late last month, The New York Times detailed how Helmut Horten profited when the Nazis forced Jewish people to sell their businesses at low prices.
This report and Christie’s plans to move forward with the jewelry auction have sparked outrage within the jewelry industry as well as among Jewish organizations.
In a letter to François Curiel, chairman of Christie’s Europe, dated May 5 the World Federation of Diamond Bourses said it objects to the sale and felt it necessary to express its outrage.
“In a time of Holocaust denial and the resurgence of anti-Semitism around the world, we find it especially appalling that a world-renowned auction house would engage in such a sale,” wrote WFDB President Yoram Dvash.
In an earlier statement, Christie’s CEO Guillaume Cerutti said: “It was never Christie’s intention to hide information about the well-documented history of Mr. Horten and we have added relevant information to our sale materials and website to ensure that the facts are clear to all.”
Following the backlash, the auction house said it will be donating a “significant” portion of the final sale proceeds to unspecified organizations that further Holocaust research and education.
WFDB is asking Christie’s to go a step further than that.
“The WFDB strongly requests that if Christie’s insists on holding the Horten auction, that you personally ensure that the major portion of the proceeds be donated by Christie’s to charities supporting the welfare of Holocaust survivors, as well as commemoration and education.”
The organization also requested that the amount of the contribution and its recipients be shared with the public.
In a statement shared with National Jeweler this morning, Anthea Peers, president of Christie’s Europe, Middle East and Africa, said Christie’s was aware of how Helmut built his wealth but added, “However—and without ignoring or excusing Mr. Horten’s actions in any way— the jewelry collection of his wife, Heidi Horten, was assembled decades later, between the beginning of the 1970s and 2022, the year of her death.”
As for the donation, Christie’s reiterated that a “significant portion” of its commission will be donated to Holocaust research and education.
“It will be up to these organizations, if they wish, to communicate about these donations,” said Peers.
Other organizations have joined the call for Christie’s to increase the size of its donation or halt the jewelry auction entirely.
In a statement, the American Jewish Committee said the fact that the auction proceeds will go to charity, including some to Holocaust organizations, was not enough.
“One of the most challenging tasks in addressing the legacy of the Holocaust is providing justice for the massive looting of its victims. There are still many barriers to securing restitution,” said AJC.
“It is even more difficult when unscrupulous businessmen took advantage of aryanization laws and the desperate needs of Jews fleeing the Nazis to amass their fortunes.”
The AJC asked that the auction be put on hold while it was determined what portion of Helmut’s wealth came at the expense of Nazi victims. Funds should then be directed to support Holocaust survivors and the educational programs that enable them to tell their stores.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish global human rights organization based in Los Angeles with offices across the world, also called for the halt of the auction until more research can be done.
“Christie’s must suspend this sale until full research of links to Nazi era acquisitions are completed,” said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean and director of global social action. “Don’t reward those whose families may have gained riches from desperate Jews targeted and threatened by the Nazis.”
In her statement, Peers said: “As with all property entrusted to Christie’s, this collection has undergone a thorough verification process. The provenance of each of the 700 objects up for auction is well documented, with detailed indications of purchase, and none of these jewels come from a spoliation or a forced sale from a Jewish owner.”
Christie’s estimates “The World of Heidi Horten” sale will fetch $150 million, surpassing the auction record set by the sale of Elizabeth Taylor’s private collection in 2011 (total: $137.2 million).
The sale of Horten’s jewels will benefit The Heidi Horten Foundation, which supports her art museum, The Heidi Horten Collection in Vienna, and other causes.
A viewing will take place in Geneva this week, with the first part of the auction scheduled for Wednesday, and the second for Friday.
There will also be two online sales. The first online sale is taking place now through May 15 with November dates to follow for the remaining jewels.
More on Auctions
The Latest
Policies & IssuesSep 25, 2025
JA CEO Provides Tariff Update Following Annual Fly-InA trade deal with Switzerland seems probable, but reaching an agreement with India remains a challenge, David Bonaparte said.
SourcingSep 25, 2025
2 African Countries Aim to Take Stake in De Beers Botswana’s president said his country wants a controlling share, while Angola envisions multiple countries holding minority stakes.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2025
Kira Jewels Expands Lab-Grown Diamond ProductionThe manufacturer is adding 1,400 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors to its growing facility in India.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
IndependentsSep 25, 2025
Alex Moss’ New Flagship Brings Bold Jewels to SoHoThe jeweler to the stars has worked with Drake, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, and other celebrities.
Weekly QuizSep 25, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesSep 25, 2025
Wilson & Son Jewelers Donates to the Horological Society of New YorkThe Scarsdale, New York-based jeweler donated a professional-grade watch cleaning machine.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
Tariffs Throw Diamond Trade Into DisarrayThe 50 percent tariffs on diamonds shipped from India to the U.S. have pushed midstream manufacturers to the edge.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
SourcingSep 24, 2025
De Beers Adopts New Strategies to Drive Natural Diamond Demand in IndiaDe Beers’ refreshed, multipronged approach, which includes generic promotions and retail partnerships, is delivering positive dividends.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
For Jewelry Manufacturers, Higher Tariffs Create Long-Term WorriesThey are trying to balance the need to sustain well-established relationships with the pressure higher tariffs have put on margins.
SourcingSep 24, 2025
A Helping Hand: An Effort to Boost Inclusivity in the IndustryJewelry manufacturer Jewelex has partnered with JOSH, an industry training center, on a program for people with disabilities.
CollectionsSep 24, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Goes Back in Time With First Estate CollectionThe collection includes pieces dating back to the Victorian and Art Deco periods as well as mid-century and late 20th-century designs.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names Marcus ter Haar as President-ElectHe previously served as co-chair of the nonprofit’s beneficiary committee.
CollectionsSep 24, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s New Jane Goodall Collection Calls for PeaceIts second collaboration with the conservationist features jewelry with dove and olive branch motifs.
SourcingSep 24, 2025
SRK Launches Kriam PharmaThe diamond manufacturer’s new company will provide accessible and affordable high-quality medicines across India.
ColumnistsSep 23, 2025
Quiet Luxury: What Fall’s Top Trend Means for JewelersEmmanuel Raheb shares tips on how a jeweler’s showcases, marketing, and social media presence can whisper, instead of shout.
MajorsSep 23, 2025
Ames Watson Completes $140M Acquisition of Claire’sThe private equity firm has a plan to revive the mall staple.
SourcingSep 23, 2025
Super Smalls’ New Book Introduces Kids to Gems, Fine JewelryThe “Super Book of Gems” dives into the Mohs Hardness Scale, the Four C’s, and designs from jewelers like Cartier and Bulgari.
MajorsSep 23, 2025
Mattioli Names Kering Exec as New CEOClaudio Pasta will take the lead at the Italian fine jewelry brand, succeeding company founder Licia Mattioli.
CollectionsSep 23, 2025
Monique Lhuillier Adds Fashion Jewelry to Kay Jewelers LineThe new lab-grown diamond jewelry offering is the latest expansion of the designer’s “Bliss” collection.
SourcingSep 22, 2025
Rio Tinto Announces Final ‘Beyond Rare’ TenderThe miner is honoring the end of an era with an offering of 52 lots from the now-closed Argyle and the soon-to-close Diavik mines.
MajorsSep 22, 2025
Jewelry Manufacturer Vibhor Acquires AlorThe California-based fine jewelry brand will retain its identity post-acquisition, with new collections launching next year.
CollectionsSep 22, 2025
Gurhan's Collection is an 'Untamed' ZooThe “Untamed” collection centers on carved gemstone jewelry depicting a range of animals embodying one of the four elemental forces.
Policies & IssuesSep 22, 2025
Ethical Metalsmiths Has a New Name Founded in 2004, the organization is now called the Community for Ethical Jewelry.
EditorsSep 19, 2025
These Female Athletes Had the Best Jewelry of the SummerFrom Coco Gauff’s hoops to Madison Keys’ diamond medallion, these are Senior Editor Lenore Fedow’s standout jewelry looks of the season.
CollectionsSep 19, 2025
Piece of the Week: Vanessa Fernández Studio’s ‘Curva’ Wrap HoopsThe trendy earrings feature asymmetrical drops, one with a grossular garnet and the other with a diamond.
Recorded WebinarsSep 19, 2025
Watch: A Step-by-Step Guide to Using TikTok and Instagram ReelsFour social media marketing experts discuss their go-to methods and favorite tools for making high-quality short-form video content.
