AuctionsSep 29, 2026
Dionne Warwick’s Jewelry Goes Up for AuctionAuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner Auction
These jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.
This 18-karat gold Tiffany & Co. cat pendant brooch sold for $8,320 at Bonham’s recent auction featuring cat artwork, decorative objects, jewelry, and other collectibles from the collection of Sandy Lerner.
New York—Bonhams has announced the results of its auctions featuring cat-related art and jewelry that belonged to tech entrepreneur and feline enthusiast Sandy Lerner.
“The Sandy Lerner Cat Collection Part I” took place Sept. 30 at Bonhams New York, while an online sale, “The Sandy Lerner Cat Collection Part II,” was held Sept. 22-Oct. 1.
Together, the sales garnered $1.45 million, with two paintings of cats leading the way.
Lerner, co-founder of Cisco Systems and founder of cosmetics brand Urban Decay, is known for her love of cats.
Bonhams called the offering one of “the most significant private collections of cat-related decorative arts, books, and collectibles ever assembled.”
Of the jewelry offered in the sale, four pieces performed particularly well.
An 18-karat gold Tiffany & Co. cat pendant brooch (pictured at the top of the article) sold for $8,320, within its pre-sale estimate of $8,000 to $12,000.
Another Tiffany & Co. jewel, an 18-karat gold cat brooch with green enamel eyes sold for $5,760, exceeding its estimate of $3,000 to $5,000.
An 18-karat gold cat brooch set with more than 12 carats of round brilliant-cut diamonds also garnered $5,760. Made in France, the brooch was estimated to sell for $5,000 to $7,000.
“The Sandy Lerner Cat Collection Part I” took place Sept. 30 at Bonhams New York, while an online sale, “The Sandy Lerner Cat Collection Part II,” was held Sept. 22-Oct. 1.
Together, the sales garnered $1.45 million, with two paintings of cats leading the way.
Lerner, co-founder of Cisco Systems and founder of cosmetics brand Urban Decay, is known for her love of cats.
Bonhams called the offering one of “the most significant private collections of cat-related decorative arts, books, and collectibles ever assembled.”
This Tiffany & Co. 18-karat gold cat brooch with green enamel eyes sold for $5,760.
Of the jewelry offered in the sale, four pieces performed particularly well.
An 18-karat gold Tiffany & Co. cat pendant brooch (pictured at the top of the article) sold for $8,320, within its pre-sale estimate of $8,000 to $12,000.
Another Tiffany & Co. jewel, an 18-karat gold cat brooch with green enamel eyes sold for $5,760, exceeding its estimate of $3,000 to $5,000.
An 18-karat gold cat brooch set with more than 12 carats of round brilliant-cut diamonds also garnered $5,760. Made in France, the brooch was estimated to sell for $5,000 to $7,000.
A gold and diamond cat brooch made in France that sold for $5,760
A pair of 18-karat white gold cultured pearl earrings featuring cats with sapphire eyes that achieved $3,200
Lerner also had a pair of earrings featuring cats made in 18-karat white gold with sapphire eyes, their tails curled around cultured pearls.
The earrings sold for $3,200, exceeding the pre-sale estimate of $2,000 to $3,000.
The top lot of the live auction was a watercolor painting of a tabby cat by Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita that sold for $140,200 (est. $30,000 to $50,000).
The top lot of the online sale was an oil painting of cats, monkeys and an owl playing music by 17th-century artist Ferdinand van Kessel the Elder. It sold for $28,160 (est. $5,000 to $7,000).
Bonhams will host two more sales of Lerner’s belongings later this month.
“Ayrshire Farm: The Sandy Lerner Collection Parts I & II” will feature a selection of furniture, decorative arts, paintings, lighting, and furnishings from her Georgian Revival-style estate in Upperville, Virginia.
Lerner, who is in her 70s, sold a big chunk of the organic farm, which she has owned since 1996, earlier this year to simplify her life, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The first part of the Ayrshire Farm sale will be a live auction held Oct. 28 in Massachusetts, and the second part will take place online from Oct. 18-29.
More on Auctions
The Latest
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
