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.
More on Auctions
The Latest
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
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.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
Weekly QuizDec 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
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 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More GemstonesStarting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.
IndependentsDec 11, 2025
Look Inside Day’s Jewelers’ Ninth StoreThe 111-year-old retailer celebrated the opening of its new location in Salem, New Hampshire, which is its third store in the state.
MajorsDec 11, 2025
Americas Gold Releases New Gold Chain CatalogThe new catalog features its most popular chains as well as new styles.
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in MiamiThe new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.
SurveysDec 10, 2025
Consumer Confidence Drops in November Inflations, tariffs, and politics—including the government shutdown—were among consumers’ top concerns last month.
SourcingDec 10, 2025
NAJA Announces Details for 2026 ‘Ace It’ Winter Conference“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2025
MJSA Names 2025 Responsible Design Challenge WinnerSilas Smith of Meridian Metalworks won the challenge with his pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes.
AuctionsDec 09, 2025
‘Desert Rose’ Diamond Sells for $8.8M in Abu DhabiThe sale of the 31.68-carat, sunset-hued stone was part of Sotheby’s first series of events and auctions in Abu Dhabi.
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.
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.
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.
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.
