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
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
