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
EditorsSep 17, 2024
8 Award-Winning Looks from the EmmysAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the best jewelry looks from the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards.
GradingSep 17, 2024
GIA To Include Traceability Info on Some Cultured Pearl ReportsThe lab will include reference numbers on reports for cultured pearls that contain bead nuclei embedded with an RFID tag.
ColumnistsSep 17, 2024
The PR Adviser: The Case for Switching to Shopify Lilian Raji offers advice to a reader frustrated with the current state of their company’s website.
Brought to you by
How to Increase Instagram Followers Naturally in 2024Growing your Instagram following organically is more important than ever in today's technological environment.
EditorsSep 17, 2024
Q&A: Issa Rae on Her New Jewelry Collection With CastThe actress shared her inspiration for the collection, insight into her personal style, and which jewels President Barbie would wear.
Weekly QuizSep 12, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingSep 16, 2024
1,094-Carat Diamond Recovered in Botswana Just Weeks After Historic Find The giant gem originated from Karowe, the same mine that yielded a 2,492-carat rough diamond in late August.
CrimeSep 16, 2024
New Jersey Jeweler Pleads Guilty To Evading CustomsMonishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah admitted to dodging customs duties on more than $13.5 million of jewelry imported into the U.S.
Brought to you by
Watch: Natural Diamonds: A Great (but Often Untold) Geology StorySupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA.
MajorsSep 16, 2024
Boucheron Opens First US Store in New York CityThe new boutique is located on Madison Avenue.
GradingSep 16, 2024
Gübelin Opens Lab in BangkokThe company’s fourth location worldwide will focus on its AI-powered gem document, the Gem Passport.
Events & AwardsSep 16, 2024
JA Takes Its Learning Workshops to Washington D.C., New YorkIts next event will take place in D.C. on Sept. 17 and in New York City on Oct. 29.
EditorsSep 13, 2024
Taylor Swift Brings Diamonds, Edgy Jewels to her VMAs LooksThe artist opted for big yellow diamond earrings, a vintage chain, and white metals at the annual MTV awards show.
WatchesSep 13, 2024
Breitling Inks Licensing Deal with the NFL The Swiss watchmaker has created limited-edition timepieces for all 32 National Football League teams.
FinancialsSep 12, 2024
Signet Jewelers’ Q2 Sales Fall 8% The jewelry giant said it expects to see an uptick in engagements in the second half of the year.
Supplier BulletinSep 12, 2024
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionSponsored by Gemological Institute of America
CollectionsSep 12, 2024
Mignon Faget Enters a New Era With Its ‘Legacy’ CollectionThe brand is celebrating its upcoming 55th anniversary with modern designs that pay tribute to its history.
SourcingSep 12, 2024
AGTA Elects Bruce Bridges as PresidentHe, and other newly elected board members, will begin their terms in February.
Events & AwardsSep 12, 2024
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2025 Grant ApplicationsThose interested can apply online now through Nov. 15.
WatchesSep 11, 2024
These Are the Watches Women Want, Says Chrono24Its “Her-ology” report highlights trends in the women’s luxury watch market, from top brands to movement preferences.
IndependentsSep 11, 2024
Take a Sip of Marrow Fine x Adalina’s $13K MartiniThe smoked heirloom tomato mezcal martini, only available at Adalina in Chicago, is served with a 9-carat diamond tennis necklace.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2024
Lab-Grown, Natural Diamonds to Be Focus of AGS Confluence Scheduled for Sept. 25, the online-only event will be open to non-AGS members this year, for a fee.
MajorsSep 11, 2024
Brilliant Earth Expands International E-CommerceCustomers in more than 150 countries can now shop at the jewelry retailer’s online store.
Policies & IssuesSep 11, 2024
Gems Keep Giving Reorganizes, Taps Hayley Henning as Board ChairThe organization, which was started by the International Colored Gemstone Association, is now a 501(c)(3).
IndependentsSep 10, 2024
Industry Technology Visionary Jeff High Dies at 60The Gemvision founder is remembered as a passionate mentor with a deep love for God.
CollectionsSep 10, 2024
Foundrae’s Latest Collection Harnesses the Glow of the Golden HourThe “Golden Hour” collection was designed to “inspire and encourage reflection,” said the brand.
MajorsSep 10, 2024
Ludacris, Jessica Alba Star in New Movado CampaignMovado has named five new brand ambassadors, featuring them in its new “When I Move You Move” campaign.
TrendsSep 10, 2024
Carol Woolton To Release New BookThe jewelry historian discusses the history and cultural significance of jewelry throughout time and across the globe.
