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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
CrimeMar 04, 2025
4 Suspects Arrested in Fatal Armed Robbery of California Jewelry Store Uc Thí Vo, who co-owned Kim Tin Jewelry in Sacramento with her husband of 40 years, was killed during the November 2024 robbery.
CrimeMar 04, 2025
NYC Diamond Dealer Pleads Guilty to Lab-Grown Diamond SwapsManashe Sezanayev pleaded guilty to grand larceny and is expected to receive five years’ probation when he’s sentenced in May.
TrendsMar 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Peaceful and Powerful AquamarineThe March birthstone pairs perfectly with hues of Mocha Mousse, Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2025.
Brought to you by
Have a Plan for EmergenciesEmergencies can happen anytime, anywhere , and Jewelers of America has what you need to be prepared for it all.
ColumnistsMar 04, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Online Events to Supercharge Sales Emmanuel Raheb shares strategies to prepare for, publicize, and engage the audience during events on platforms like TikTok and Zoom.
Weekly QuizFeb 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsMar 03, 2025
Drop Necklaces, Archival Pieces Take Over at the 2025 OscarsFrom Doja Cat to Mikey Madison and Selena Gomez, many of this year’s Academy Awards attendees donned drop necklaces.
Policies & IssuesMar 03, 2025
Customs Indefinitely Postpones Requirement to Disclose Country of MiningOriginally slated to take effect in April, official U.S. Customs and Border Protection documents now show the implementation date as “TBD.”
Brought to you by
A Diamond ETF is the Way to Reinvigorate Natural Diamond SalesThe jewelry industry faces challenges from lab-grown diamonds. A diamond ETF can restore natural diamonds' value and drive investor demand.
SurveysMar 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Fell in February Amid Concerns About the FutureThe recent jump in the prices of household staples, like eggs, and the potential impact of tariffs worried consumers.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2025
AGA Now Accepting Applications for Its Gemological Education Scholarship The application period for the program is now open for aspiring gemologists around the world.
CollectionsFeb 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Ironhorse Quillwork EarringsThe work of Indigenous designer Joe Big Mountain, these earrings are similar to the pair Lily Gladstone just wore to the SAG Awards.
Recorded WebinarsFeb 28, 2025
Watch: 2025 Jewelry Trends ForecastFine jewelry consultant and publicist Francesca Simons joins Amanda Gizzi and Natalie Francisco to discuss the trends set to rise this year.
TrendsFeb 27, 2025
Model Winnie Harlow Says ‘Yes’ to 3-Stone Engagement RingHarlow’s partner, NBA player Kyle Kuzma, worked with Vobara to design the ring, which features oval and pear-shaped diamonds.
MajorsFeb 27, 2025
Winona Ryder, Iman Star in New Pandora CampaignThe Danish jeweler released the next chapter of its “Be Love” campaign, which celebrates love in all its forms.
SourcingFeb 27, 2025
Gemfields Holds Mini Auction for Higher-Quality EmeraldsThe 13 lots on offer were comprised of material that previously went unsold at the miner’s November auction.
Events & AwardsFeb 27, 2025
JA to Host Workshop During Alabama Jewelers Association ConventionThe learning workshop and the convention are both scheduled to take place April 26 and 27 in Montgomery, Alabama.
Policies & IssuesFeb 26, 2025
EU Once Again Pushes Back Deadline on Diamond Traceability The EU, like the U.S., also now will require diamond importers to provide information about where exactly the diamonds were mined.
SourcingFeb 26, 2025
De Beers, Botswana Make New Diamond Sales Deal OfficialThe formal signing of the agreement comes nearly two years after De Beers and Botswana initially announced they had reached a new deal.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2025
JFC Names 2025 ‘Facets’ HonoreesThe charity will celebrate Pandora CEO Alexander Lacik and Brilliant Earth CEO Beth Gerstein at its annual event in Las Vegas.
ColumnistsFeb 25, 2025
Peter Smith: Here’s What I Think Retailers need to have the right merchandise, marketing, and people in place to stay on top in a sea of uncertainty, Peter Smith writes.
EditorsFeb 25, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s New Shop-in-Shop Senior Editor Lenore Fedow traveled to Smyth Jewelers in Maryland to see the first of 15 revamped in-store boutiques Tacori is rolling out.
MajorsFeb 25, 2025
Qurate Has a New NameThe parent company of HSN and QVC is undergoing a restructuring.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2025
Michael B. Jordan Stars in David Yurman’s Spring CampaignThe company’s newest brand ambassador Eiza González will also be featured in the ads for the women’s campaign.
SourcingFeb 24, 2025
Colored Stone Market Update: Tracking Industry Trends in TucsonDeclining supply and growing demand persist in the colored gemstone market, presenters from Gemworld said at AGTA GemFair Tucson.
TrendsFeb 24, 2025
Renna’s Lobster Clasp Looks Like a Claw, Now It's Patented by LawThe designer’s new patent transforms the everyday clasp into her jumbo “Lobster Clasp,” modeled after the look of a crustacean’s claw.
Events & AwardsFeb 24, 2025
Bogolo Joy Kenewendo to Speak at Annual JVC LuncheonKenewendo, Botswana’s minister of minerals and energy, will discuss the future of diamonds.
SourcingFeb 24, 2025
Diavik’s Production Down 17% in 2024 Sales at the Rio Tinto-owned mine also slid by a double-digit percentage, falling 37 percent in a difficult market for diamonds.
