Phillips Appoints Worldwide Head of Jewelry
Benoît Repellin joined the auction house last year.
Auctioneer Benoît Repellin has been promoted to the role. He joined Phillips in February 2022 as the head of jewelry for Europe, before assuming the interim worldwide head of jewelry role in the second half of the year.
Phillips noted Repellin’s contribution to its fall auction season, with highlights including the sale of a 4.05-carat fancy intense pink oval diamond for $1.9 million and a 26.12-carat round brilliant-cut, D-flawless, diamond that sold for $2.5 million.
“As a seasoned specialist and dynamic auctioneer, Benoît has brought to Phillips a depth of knowledge and expertise that has championed our Jewels department, achieving successful sales in both Hong Kong and New York over the past two seasons,” noted Phillips CEO Stephen Brooks.
“The global team welcomes Benoît as he assumes his new position and we look forward to the continued growth and expansion of the Jewels department.”
In his role as worldwide head of jewelry, Repellin will work with Phillips teams in New York, London, Hong Kong, and Geneva, helping to bolster their networks of collectors and dealers.
Prior to joining Phillips, Repellin spent nine years at Sotheby’s where he conducted many jewelry auctions in Europe. He was director and head of the auction house’s “Magnificent Jewels” sales in Geneva.
When Repellin took on the worldwide head of jewelry role late last year, he replaced Graeme Thompson, who was the first to take on the position.
Phillips noted the growth of its jewelry department, which achieved a record annual total in 2021, up 75 percent from its 2019 performance.
The auction house noted 2022 was “highly successful,” with its best jewelry performance in Asia yet.
Next up is the sale of a sapphire and diamond necklace by Bulgari featuring an unheated 118.35-carat Ceylon sapphire.
Expected to sell for between $3 million and $4.5 million, it will be offered next month at the new Phillips Hong Kong location.
The Latest
It’s the Signet-owned banner’s first location in Georgia.
Commemorate “brat summer” with these green hoops.
Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff returns from Rhode Island with thoughts about in-store shopping and a trends report.
As the demand for lab-grown diamond jewelry may still be increasing, the most notable change we are likely to see is price stabilization.
Sponsored by Gemological Institute of America
They claim ReviewServiceUSA.com was selling both positive and negative reviews of products and businesses.
Lab-grown diamond sales in the United States and ongoing economic challenges in China are impacting natural diamond demand.
GIA®’s most advanced microscope has new features to optimize greater precision and comfort.
A longtime member of IJO, she’s remembered for her passion for design, learning, and environmentalism.
The gains come amid a tough time for parent company Kering, which saw sales slide 11 percent in the first half of the year.
The fine jewelry retailer filled backpacks with back-to-school essentials for students in 13 states.
Tiffany & Co. is focusing on its “iconic” collections while the company has made changes at the top at TAG Heuer and Hublot.
The Parisian brand is the first jewelry company in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to design the medals.
Union Life & Casualty will join JM Insurance Agency Partners, expanding the provider’s pawnbroker coverage.
Los Angeles-based Bradlei Smith was selected for this year’s award.
In his latest column, Smith shares multiple reasons why people who look at the glass as being hall full often make better salespeople.
The company also reported the $150 million sale of an iron ore royalty right, part of its ongoing effort to divest “non-core” assets.
The giveaway is part of the New England jeweler’s summer bridal event.
The ad features three celebrity florists creating floral sculptures while wearing jewelry by Guzema.
The grant provided a total of $100,000 to support 13 entrepreneurs from diamond communities in Africa and India.
Ghazi Michel Osta, or “Gus,” was killed Friday by an 83-year-old man said to be a frequent customer at his store, Volusia Gold & Diamond.
The organization also announced Effie Marinos as its new specialist advisor for technical standards, as well as four other appointments.
Rentmeesters has served as interim CEO since April following former CEO Ari Epstein’s resignation.
Mann, whose family’s jewelry store was located inside the Pentagon, is remembered for being a thoughtful champion of the industry.
The 500-square-foot boutique is located in Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
Dance all night long with the “So Move Max” set’s necklace.
Luxury giant LVMH is reshuffling the leadership in its watches division.