The Jewelry I’d Bid On in Christie’s Iris Apfel Auction
Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights her favorite fashion jewelry pieces from the upcoming “Unapologetically Iris” auction.

The collection features more than 200 lots of fashion, accessories, and home goods from Apfel, with her jewelry grouped into 27 lots.
Apfel, who died in March 2024 at age 102, was one of the most vivacious personalities in the worlds of fashion, textiles, and interior design, explained the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which exhibited “Rara Avis: Selections from the Iris Barrel Apfel Collection” in 2005.
She was known for her eclectic aesthetic that seamlessly blended colors, textures, and patterns in a mix of high and low fashion.
The Met explained her looks as blending “Dior haute couture with flea market finds.”
As a trendsetter, Apfel was recognizable by her oversized oval glasses, blue eyeshadow, feather boas, and her large stacks of chunky bangles.
Apfel began her career as a decorator and, together with her husband Carl Apfel, they founded Old World Weavers, a renowned textile company.
She went on to work as an interior design consultant for the White House through nine presidencies.
Christie’s “Unapologetically Iris: The Collection of Iris Apfel” auction is a rare opportunity for fashion enthusiasts, as it offers a range of completely unique clothing items and accessories spanning eras, the auction house said.
For jewelry lovers, the sale affords an opportunity to snatch some statement pieces at (perhaps) more affordable prices than we’re accustomed to seeing at jewelry auctions.
Here are eight lots I’ll have my eye on when “Unapologetically Iris: The Collection of Iris Apfel” starts later this month.

A standout piece that Apfel clearly loved was her goldtone and black painted tiered feathered choker from Danish brand Monies.
Apfel can be seen wearing the statement necklace in her portrait at the top of the story.
The piece is grouped into a lot along with two other necklaces and nine bangles, estimated to fetch $400 to $600.

When it comes to her jewelry, Apfel was most known for the bangles she often stacked all the way up to her elbows.
This grouping includes my personal favorite—the bangles showcasing weevil beetles encased in lucite.
The 10 pieces in various shapes, sizes, and colors likely were designed by Kolos Studio, according to Christie’s.
This lot also includes pieces Apfel designed.
The four cuffs and one bangle featuring googly eyes set in lucite come from Rara Avis, Apfel’s costume jewelry line once sold through HSN.
The 15 pieces in this lot are estimated to sell for $300 to $500.

Apfel’s personal style was described as “witty and exuberantly idiosyncratic” by The Met, so in no way could we overlook her beaded popcorn box earrings.
The piece was designed by Indian jewelry and accessories brand Deepa Gurnani.
The couple behind Deepa Gurnani, Deepa Gurnani and Jay Lakhani, incorporate intricate embroidery techniques like zardozi, mirror work, and aari to create their accessories.
The popcorn box earrings were a third-place finalist in the fashion jewelry category in the Accessories Council’s Design Excellence Awards in 2021.
They are grouped into lot 216 with other beaded jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, brooches, and additional Deepa Gurnani earrings. The lot is estimated to fetch $200 to $300.

No outfit is complete without a brooch and luckily, lot 208 contains multiple.
Two matching Kenneth Lane brooches take the form of frogs likely made from gold-plated metal with green cabochon glass eyes.
Also in this lot is a Christian LaCroix brooch centering on a heart-shaped stone that may be made of resin, surrounded by a branch design in an antiqued gold tone. The piece has some movement with what is likely a faux glass pearl drop.
These pieces are grouped into a lot with other designer costume accessories, including a belt, necklace, and another brooch with a pre-sale estimate of $400 to $600.

Who can ever have enough animal jewelry?
Of these five pendants, it was the turtle who caught my eye. It features a yellow jasper shell held by its silver metal body.
The piece, along with the four others in the lot, is possibly from China and was made in either the 20th or 21st century, according to Christie’s.
Altogether, this lot is estimated to fetch $200 to $300.
“Unapologetically Iris: The Collection of Iris Apfel,” which is an online-only sale, will be open for bidding from Jan. 28 to Feb. 13.
The full collection is available to preview on Christie’s website and at Christie’s New York from Feb. 8-11.
Select pieces can be viewed in person at Christie’s Miami from Jan. 24-25 and in Palm Beach at The Colony Hotel from Jan 29-31.
The Latest

The middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.

It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.

The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.


Jake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.

The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.

Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.

In addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.

The “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.

The seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.

The New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.

The trade-only event will host its debut fair in the Emerald City later this month.

Its sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.

For its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.

The jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.

Inspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.

The brand is marking its 50th anniversary with a limited-edition bangle, high jewelry suites, new collections, and more.

Goldfarb said changes in the industry, coupled with his age and the updates needed to modernize his business, drove his decision.

Longtime LVMH executive Michael Burke has stepped into the role.

Central topics of next week’s event include climate action, labor rights, artisan preservation, and value retention in producing countries.

Vickie Rokkos has joined the jewelry company as its new national sales director of North America.

Turbulence will be the new baseline for luxury as it faces its biggest potential setbacks in 15 years, a recent report said.

Sponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply

The “For the Love of Fruits” collection features five fruit pendants, each holding a different meaning.