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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
