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
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
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.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
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.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
