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
PodcastsSep 16, 2026
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy EdelsteinTwo special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.
CollectionsSep 16, 2026
Jessica McCormack, L’Objet Collab on Homewares CollectionMcCormack brings sea-inspired motifs from her “Beaches” collection to L’Objet’s tableware, vanity pieces, and first-ever cutlery set.
CrimeSep 16, 2026
JSA Issues Warning to NJ Jewelers After Rash of Smash and GrabsNine New Jersey jewelers have been victims of smash-and-grab robberies this year, prompting JSA to circulate a list of recommendations.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
IndependentsSep 16, 2026
Bromberg & Co. Names New PresidentMarlin “Brian” Hood, who has been with the store for 20 years, will succeed Ricky Bromberg, who died earlier this month.
Weekly QuizSep 10, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsSep 16, 2026
Midas Chain Releases ‘House of Midas’ Bridal CatalogThe new bridal catalog features the latest jewelry collections and designs from timeless classics to modern silhouettes.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
2026 Emmys Jewelry: An Either/Or Proposition Stars wore either a necklace or earrings at 78th Primetime Emmy Awards but rarely both, Natalie Francisco notes.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
ColumnistsSep 15, 2026
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends YouJennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.
IndependentsSep 15, 2026
Armadani Launches Retail Support Program for Holiday SeasonThe program highlights “Made in Italy” fine jewelry with digital merchandising, sales education, and local marketing support.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
Q&A: Signet Jewelers’ Joan Hilson on Diamond Demand, the HolidaysHilson, Signet’s chief operating and financial officer, discussed Q2, resurgent natural diamond demand, and why Blue Nile is a standout.
ColumnistsSep 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 14, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers to Unveil Photography Exhibition“Adornos: Jewelry, Memory & What We Pass Down” honors the jewelry’s importance to New York City’s Latine communities.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Gemfields Sells All Lots at First Emerald Auction in 9 MonthsThe company’s managing director of sales said the results demonstrate “continued strong demand for commercial-quality emeralds.”
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Pledges Support for Eye Care ProgramThe nonprofit awarded a grant to the Gift of Sight initiative spearheaded by South African musician Black Coffee.
CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2026
The Edge Awards Scholarships to 2 Young Jewelry ProfessionalsThe recipients were recognized at the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States’ annual banquet.
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
CrimeSep 10, 2026
FBI Offers $50K Reward for ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive in $1M Jewelry HeistAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.
SourcingSep 10, 2026
AGTA Announces 4 Newly Elected DirectorsFour directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Former Sotheby’s, Christie’s Exec Appointed CEO of Julien’s Auctions Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
MajorsSep 09, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Catalog Includes Its New Demi-Fine CollectionFine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
