AuctionsMay 11, 2023
First Part of Christie’s Heidi Horten Jewelry Auction Garners $156MAuctionsMay 15, 2023
Part Two of Christie’s Heidi Horten Auction Brings in $42M
The sale, though embroiled in controversy, has garnered nearly $200 million in total.
“The Star of Africa” ruby and diamond pendant necklace by Harry Winston, featuring a 54.95-carat Mozambique ruby, was the top lot in the second part of Christie’s “The World of Heidi Horten” jewelry auction, selling for more than $3 million.
New York—Christie’s held the second part of the auction of late Austrian billionaire Heidi Horten’s jewels in Geneva late last week, following the record-breaking first segment days earlier.
The second segment of the sale totaled $42.1 million, according to the auction house.
The first segment of the sale garnered $156 million, within Christie’s pre-sale estimate.
The results surpassed the sale of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry collection in 2011 (total: $137.2 million), even with the most talked-about pieces from part one underperforming and amid controversy about the origin of Horten’s late husband’s wealth.
The auction grand total so far is close to $200 million.
There are also two online sales—one concluding today and a second to be held in November.
The top lot of the second auction installment was “The Star of Africa” ruby and diamond pendant necklace by Harry Winston, featuring a 54.95-carat Mozambican ruby.
It sold for more than $3 million, double the high end of its $1 million to $1.5 million estimate.
The second-highest grossing lot was a pendant set with a 15.05-carat fancy orangy pink modified heart brilliant-cut diamond. It sold for $2.7 million, above its $1.5 million to $2 million estimate.
A diamond ring set with a 47.58-carat emerald-cut diamond center stone sold for $2.7 million, within its $2 million to $3.1 million estimate.
Horten’s collection of Bulgari jewels was especially noteworthy, said Max Fawcett, head of jewelry at Christie’s Geneva, in an earlier statement about the auction, ranking it as one of the top five Bulgari collections ever assembled.
Several Bulgari pieces appeared in this auction segment, including a sapphire, cultured pearl, emerald, and diamond necklace, which sold for nearly $1.5 million, taking the No. 4 spot in terms of price realized.
The “Great Mughal Emerald” pendant necklace by Harry Winston, seen below, also by Harry Winston, is set with a 362.5-carat carved emerald.
It sold for $982,000, well above its pre-sale estimate of $500,000 to $700,000.
The “Great Mughal Emerald” pendant necklace sold for $982,000.
Jewels from Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Austrian jewelry house A. E. Köchert also appeared frequently in Horten’s extensive collection. Several jewels from Tamara Commoli and Marina B. were also up for sale.
There were 22 watches up for sale this round as well, from a variety of high-end brands like Rolex, Richard Mille, Cartier, Vacheron Constantin, and A. Lange & Söhne.
Christie’s went ahead with the Horten sale in spite of calls from several organizations to halt it after a New York Times report detailed how the late Helmut Horten, husband of Heidi Horten, profited when the Nazis forced Jewish people to sell their businesses at low prices.
The World Federation of Diamond Bourses, as well as Jewish organizations like the American Jewish Committee and the Simon Wiesenthal Center, called on Christie’s to stop the auction or donate a greater portion of the proceeds to Holocaust education.
Following the backlash, the auction house said it will donate a “significant” portion of the final sale proceeds to unspecified organizations that further Holocaust research and education.
The sale of Horten’s jewels also will benefit The Heidi Horten Foundation, which supports her art museum—The Heidi Horten Collection in Vienna—and other causes.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Weekly QuizMay 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEOJosé Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.
Events & AwardsMay 07, 2026
JA Accepting Applications for 2026 Scholarship ProgramIt has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.
SourcingMay 06, 2026
Canada’s Oldest Diamond Mine Faces Uncertain FutureThe owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.
FinancialsMay 06, 2026
Pandora to Add Carbon Footprint Info to Lab-Grown DiamondsThe company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.
MajorsMay 06, 2026
Saks Global Begins Layoffs, Reorganization Plans Closer to ApprovalThe retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.
EditorsMay 05, 2026
This Ohio Designer’s Jewelry Made It to the Met GalaMegan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.
SourcingMay 05, 2026
Doug Hucker Returns to His RootsFollowing decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
AMNH to Showcase Famous Jewelry, Trophies in Sports HistoryThe museum’s new exhibition will feature one of Jesse Owen’s Olympic medals, Yogi Berra’s crown, Super Bowl rings, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
JIS Launches Brand Exposure ProgramThe new program provides access to media exposure and editorial opportunities for exhibitors and retailers.
CollectionsMay 04, 2026
Melanie Georgacopoulos Turns Pearls Into Light for ‘Eclipse’ CollectionThe “Eclipse” jewelry collection captures the fleeting moment where light and shadow align though onyx, diamonds, and freshwater pearls.
ColumnistsMay 04, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
CrimeMay 04, 2026
Pawn Shop Manager Shot, Killed in FloridaLazaro Rodriguez Vega was murdered inside Cash Out Gold and Silver in Fort Pierce. A 20-year-old man has been charged in the case.
IndependentsMay 04, 2026
Zadok Jewelers, Austin Parks Foundation Support Wildflower PreservationA portion of every engagement ring sold in its Austin showroom will support the care and preservation of Austin’s wildflowers and green spaces.
TechnologyMay 01, 2026
Gemist, Saban Onyx Partner on Retailer-Focused Customization OfferingTheir partnership combines Gemist’s customization technology with Saban Onyx’s U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities.
SurveysMay 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Inches Up in April Despite Rising Gas PricesRespondents were concerned about the Middle East conflict and how it will impact their finances.
