AuctionsSep 30, 2024
Oscar Heyman Jewels, Paraíba Pieces Shine at Bonhams Auction AuctionsOct 11, 2024
Bonhams Reports ‘Fierce Bidding’ for Dianne Feinstein’s Jewels
All 74 lots of jewelry belonging to the late Democratic senator found buyers at Bonhams Los Angeles.
U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co. necklaces were sold at auction this week. Her blue-green azure Malachite necklace with an 18-karat gold clasp (left) and her torsade necklace featuring eight strands of freshwater pearls with an 18-karat gold clasp each went for $6,400. The pre-sale estimate on each piece was $1,500 to $2,500.
Los Angeles—All 74 lots of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s jewelry that went up for auction at Bonhams Los Angeles on Tuesday sold.
The auction house said the collection grossed $500,000-plus, more than tripling its estimated value.
The top jewelry lot was the late senator’s platinum and diamond ring featuring a 4.14-carat E color, VS2 clarity diamond flanked by tapered baguettes.
A buyer paid $108,450 for the ring against a high estimate of $65,000.
Two pieces, an 18-karat white gold and diamond necklace (est. $12,000 to $18,000) and a ring centering a 4.40-carat Colombian emerald (est. $10,000 to $15,000), sold for $25,600 each.
A buyer paid $19,200 for a gold brooch in the shape of California, Feinstein’s home state and the state she represented in the Senate for three decades. The 14-karat gold two-tone brooch features a flower set with four marquise-cut diamonds.
An 18-karat gold two-tone Buccellati bangle sold for $17,920, more than seven times its low pre-sale estimate.
SEE: The Top Lots of Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s Jewelry
The auction house said the collection grossed $500,000-plus, more than tripling its estimated value.
The top jewelry lot was the late senator’s platinum and diamond ring featuring a 4.14-carat E color, VS2 clarity diamond flanked by tapered baguettes.
A buyer paid $108,450 for the ring against a high estimate of $65,000.
Two pieces, an 18-karat white gold and diamond necklace (est. $12,000 to $18,000) and a ring centering a 4.40-carat Colombian emerald (est. $10,000 to $15,000), sold for $25,600 each.
A buyer paid $19,200 for a gold brooch in the shape of California, Feinstein’s home state and the state she represented in the Senate for three decades. The 14-karat gold two-tone brooch features a flower set with four marquise-cut diamonds.
An 18-karat gold two-tone Buccellati bangle sold for $17,920, more than seven times its low pre-sale estimate.
SEE: The Top Lots of Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s Jewelry
U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s platinum and diamond ring featuring a 4.14-carat E color, VS2 diamond sold for $108,450. The piece’s pre-sale estimate was $45,000 to $65,000.
This ring, set with an emerald-cut emerald of Colombia origin weighing about 4.40 carats and flanked by trapezoid diamonds, sold for more than double its estimate to achieve $25,600.
Feinstein’s 18-karat white gold and diamond necklace features three graduated rows of floret links set with round diamonds; it totals about 25.50 carats. The necklace sold for $25,600, above its estimate of $12,000 to $18,000.
This 18-karat gold Buccellati bangle is white gold with yellow gold borders and features round brilliant-cut diamonds set into the floral design. A buyer paid $17,920 for the bracelet against an estimate of $2,500 to $3,500.
Feinstein (D-Calif.) served as a U.S. senator for 31 years, from 1992 until her death last year.
A San Francisco native, she also served as mayor of the city for a decade, succeeding George Moscone, who was assassinated alongside City Supervisor Harvey Milk in 1978.
She was San Francisco’s first female mayor.
When Feinstein died at age 90 in September 2023, she was the oldest sitting U.S. senator. She also holds the title of longest-serving female senator.
“Jewelry was incredibly special to Dianne Feinstein, and it’s rare to find images of her without classic strands of pearls, diamond studs, and her signature senator pin,” said Emily Waterfall, the director of Bonhams’ jewelry department in Los Angeles.
“Her collection embodied refined sophistication, featuring pieces from renowned jewelry houses such as Bulgari, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and Buccellati, as well as some unsigned items that all saw fierce bidding. Her jewelry box was a testament to her style—elegant yet understated—ensuring that her jewels complemented rather than overshadowed her role as a leading figure in American politics.”
Additional jewelry belonging to Feinstein is being auctioned off online. That sale continues through Oct. 15.
Feinstein’s jewelry was offered as part of a larger auction of personal items that belonged to the longtime lawmaker.
The sale, “The Legacy of a Stateswoman: The Personal Collection of Senator Dianne Feinstein,” included artwork, furniture, decorative objects, and political memorabilia.
It garnered $1.9 million, with only one lot going unsold. The auction house said it set a new record for Bonhams for number of registrations for a U.S. sale.
The top lot of the entire auction was a painting by Irish-American artist William Alexander Coulter (1849-1936) of ships in the San Francisco Bay.
A buyer paid $229,100 for the painting.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
PodcastsJun 17, 2026
Episode 6: Las Vegas 2026-Trends, Traffic, Broken BathroomsCouture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.
GradingJun 17, 2026
SSEF Issues Warning on Refilled EmeraldsThe lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.
WatchesJun 17, 2026
Patek Philippe’s ‘Visionary’ Leader Philippe Stern Dies at 88 The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
James Avery to Revamp In-Store Retail ExperienceThe Texas-based jeweler is gradually rolling out a new experience-forward layout in its stores.
Weekly QuizJun 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
Seahawks’ Super Bowl Ring Blends Meaningful Design, Technical CraftsmanshipThe Super Bowl LX champions were honored with diamond and blue sapphire rings by Jason of Beverly Hills.
Policies & IssuesJun 17, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Names New Executive DirectorMarianna Smirnova previously spent a decade working with the Responsible Minerals Initiative, in addition to other relevant roles.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
5 Things to Know About the 2026 NBA Championship TrophyThe New York Knicks took home the Larry O'Brien Trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co.
TrendsJun 16, 2026
Post-Vegas Jewelry Trend Report: Big Beads, Western Flair, White MetalsAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco lists the trends she spotted during Jewelry Market Week that will dominate the second half of 2026.
SourcingJun 16, 2026
GemGuide Updates Ruby PricesIts app now reflects increased prices for Mozambique ruby, as well as changes to its Burma ruby charts.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
Sasha Primak Hires New Design DirectorThe manufacturer has tapped Alicia Arnold, the former director of custom design at Tiny Jewel Box.
IndependentsJun 15, 2026
DeBoulle Diamond & Jewelry to Renovate Dallas FlagshipThe revamped, elevated space will feature a two-story Patek Philippe atelier and a rooftop patio for parties.
WatchesJun 15, 2026
G-Shock, Coca-Cola Partner on Bottle-Inspired WatchThe special-edition piece marks the 140th anniversary of the iconic beverage brand.
TrendsJun 15, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Tiny Charms Are TrendingHere are 13 small charms to inspire your layered looks this summer.
CollectionsJun 12, 2026
Chouette Designs To Launch Collection Celebrating All Types of LoveOur Pride Month Piece of the Week, the “Margaux” ring, is part of the wife-and-wife team’s new “Lovestoned” collection.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2026
CBG Announces Plans for Phoenix ShowThe group has named the keynote speaker and announced a new pavilion for its next event, which is slated for September.
EditorsJun 11, 2026
This Was the Best Animal Jewelry in Las Vegas From lions and hippos to snails and fish, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow wrangles her picks for cutest jewelry critters in Las Vegas.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Grandview Klein, London Jewelers Partner To Cut 63-Carat RoughThe big stone will be fashioned into a 20.26-carat diamond in celebration of the retailer’s 100th anniversary this year.
MajorsJun 11, 2026
Former Cartier Creative Director To Head Chanel’s Jewelry Creation StudioMarie-Laure Cérède will join Chanel as the new director of its jewelry creation studio, starting in October.
Lab-GrownJun 11, 2026
Smiling Rocks’ ‘Wish Jar’ Generates 100+ Wishes in Las Vegas At the JCK show, the lab-grown diamond brand teamed up with Jewelers for Children to support Make-A-Wish India.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Exec Joins Diamonds Do Good BoardIlana McCabe is Signet’s vice president of public relations and brand communications.
MajorsJun 10, 2026
Saks Global Receives Bankruptcy Court Approval for ReorganizationThe approval means the retailer is on track to exit bankruptcy proceedings this summer.
CrimeJun 10, 2026
2 Suspects Arrested in Texas Jewelry Store RobberyThe men are believed to be part of the group of several masked suspects that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers in April.
CollectionsJun 10, 2026
Sylvie Debuts ‘Elevated’ Bridal Collection Inspired By Designer’s RingThe bridal-focused brand is also launching its Custom Atelier this summer, a digital custom design tool for its authorized retailers.
EditorsJun 09, 2026
Q&A: Al Cook on the Lab-Grown ‘Bubble,’ Dwindling Diamond Supply The De Beers Group CEO also discussed tariffs, Desert Diamonds, and the pending sale of De Beers in an interview with Michelle Graff.
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Wilkerson's Russ Whitehouse RetiresThe industry veteran is bringing his 56-year run in the fine jewelry sector to an end.
