AuctionsMay 15, 2023
Part Two of Christie’s Heidi Horten Auction Brings in $42MAuctionsMay 16, 2023
Phillips Appoints Worldwide Head of Jewelry
Benoît Repellin joined the auction house last year.
Benoît Repellin, previously Phillips’ European head of jewelry, is now worldwide head of jewelry.
Geneva—Phillips has announced its new worldwide head of jewelry.
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.”
Related stories will be right here …
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.
More on Auctions
The Latest
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnerCole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.
EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
WatchesJun 22, 2026
Snoopy Inspires New ‘Flying Ace’ Ball WatchThe beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.
CollectionsJun 18, 2026
Michelle Obama Wears Almasika Earrings Symbolizing Feminine PowerShe wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.
PodcastsJun 17, 2026
Episode 6: Las Vegas 2026-Trends, Traffic, Broken BathroomsCouture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.
GradingJun 17, 2026
SSEF Issues Warning on Refilled EmeraldsThe lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.
WatchesJun 17, 2026
Patek Philippe’s ‘Visionary’ Leader Philippe Stern Dies at 88 The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.
