CollectionsSep 06, 2024
Piece of the Week: Lizzie Mandler’s ‘Liquid Gold’ HoopsAuctionsSep 13, 2024
Piece of the Week: Cartier’s ‘Black Alley Cat’ Brooch
This carved jasper and yellow-diamond-eyed cat brooch from 1962 is the perfect accessory for Friday the 13th.
Spooky jewelry season is approaching with Halloween only a month away.
With today being Friday the 13th, we’re getting a head start sharing witchy pieces by celebrating this black cat brooch.
While superstitions say black cats are unlucky, many people disagree, adoring the midnight-colored fur of their felines.
Cartier’s “Black Alley Cat” brooch, with fur made of carved jasper and glowing marquise-shaped yellow diamond eyes, went up for action as lot 3 in the offering of more than 190 items in Christie’s “Jewels Online” auction this Wednesday.
As the hammer came down, it sold for $50,400, more than double its pre-sale estimate of $15,000 to $20,200.
The brooch features 18-karat yellow gold hardware on the back that is engraved with “Black Alley Cat.”
The signed piece, circa 1962, comes from the collection of Nina Dyer, a former model who had the brooch made on special order from Cartier Paris, according to Christie’s.
Dyer was known as one of the paramount jewelry collectors of the 20th century, with one of her three-strand black pearl necklaces selling at a 1969 auction for CHF $12.7 million (approximately $14.9 million), after her death in 1965.
She was also known for her love of cats.
Her first husband, Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza, gifted her with two black panthers which used to accompany her on her world travels, while her second husband, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, gifted her with several Cartier “Great Cat” cuffs, bangles, rings, jabot pins, and brooches.
While the lucky buyer may not be able to take two panthers with them on their world travels, they can still honor Dyer’s love for felines by wearing the Black Alley Cat brooch.
Related stories will be right here …
With today being Friday the 13th, we’re getting a head start sharing witchy pieces by celebrating this black cat brooch.
While superstitions say black cats are unlucky, many people disagree, adoring the midnight-colored fur of their felines.
Cartier’s “Black Alley Cat” brooch, with fur made of carved jasper and glowing marquise-shaped yellow diamond eyes, went up for action as lot 3 in the offering of more than 190 items in Christie’s “Jewels Online” auction this Wednesday.
As the hammer came down, it sold for $50,400, more than double its pre-sale estimate of $15,000 to $20,200.
The brooch features 18-karat yellow gold hardware on the back that is engraved with “Black Alley Cat.”
The signed piece, circa 1962, comes from the collection of Nina Dyer, a former model who had the brooch made on special order from Cartier Paris, according to Christie’s.
Dyer was known as one of the paramount jewelry collectors of the 20th century, with one of her three-strand black pearl necklaces selling at a 1969 auction for CHF $12.7 million (approximately $14.9 million), after her death in 1965.
She was also known for her love of cats.
Her first husband, Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza, gifted her with two black panthers which used to accompany her on her world travels, while her second husband, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, gifted her with several Cartier “Great Cat” cuffs, bangles, rings, jabot pins, and brooches.
While the lucky buyer may not be able to take two panthers with them on their world travels, they can still honor Dyer’s love for felines by wearing the Black Alley Cat brooch.
More on Auctions
The Latest
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New AmbassadorThe 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry HallThe West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-NegativeThis past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.
Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From YepremThe brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in BurglariesJSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast FlagshipLocated on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan FlagshipThe new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New CampaignThe online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive DirectorShe will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry NetworkWorking with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for RelaunchThe jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship ProgramThe company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report SaysThe jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot RubiesWelcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry SalesThe best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education ScholarshipThis year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
