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
Sponsored by Tasha R
A federal court found that the jewelry store chain violated terms of the settlement reached after it was accused of defrauding customers.
Cynthia Erivo chose Dreams of Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQA+ youth, as the charity for this year’s collection.
From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
The new space was designed to evoke a warm, inviting vibe.
Kinney, who spent nearly 30 years at IJO, has been hired to head Abbott Jewelry Systems’ new virtual marketplace.
The auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.
This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
The four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.
The “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.
The money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.
The event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.
Local reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.
The Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.
“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.
Hampton discussed how Helzberg is improving the customer experience and why it was inspired by the company formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts.
The group will host several curated events and an exhibition of designer jewelry made with Peruvian gold traceable to the miners’ names.
The collection honors the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s “Love is Like a Butterfly” song, which shares a birth year with Kendra Scott.
This year’s theme asks designers to take inspiration from classic fairy tales.
Senior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.
The latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.
No. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.
On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” two experts share best practices for store security during the holidays and year-round.
Sotheby’s sold the necklace, which potentially has ties to Marie-Antoinette, for $4.8 million to a woman bidding via phone.
Instead of its usual elaborate display, the store will illuminate its façade and frame the windows to highlight its flagship’s architecture.
The new Grand Seiko boutique is located in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood.
Eleven spots are available for travelers to visit Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya from July 25 to Aug. 4.