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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
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.
CrimeOct 01, 2026
Police Looking for 4 Suspects in $600K Smash-and-Grab RobberyDubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
SourcingOct 01, 2026
Columbia Gem House Opens ‘Cutting Toward Change’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will benefit an organization working in India to combat silicosis, a lung disease affecting stone cutters.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes’ Championship Ring Reveals Hidden Hockey Puck PendantThe rings, crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills, celebrate the hockey team’s Stanley Cup win with design elements that honor its traditions.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Color Range This roundup of birthstone jewelry for October features vibrant tourmalines and opals with personality.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Botswana’s President, De Beers CEO Say Diamond Demand Is RecoveringPresident Duma Boko spoke at back-to-back events in the city last week, touting Botswana’s stability and the diamond “bounceback.”
CollectionsSep 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Book Is ‘A Living Archive’ The catalog showcases 112 new, one-of-a-kind pieces amid highlights from the jeweler’s historic archive.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Gemfields Posts $98.5M Loss, Writes Down Value of Ruby MineIts Montepuez Ruby Mining operation in Mozambique, which is not yielding enough high-quality rubies, has taken a $125 million hit.
SurveysSep 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls to 12-Year Low in SeptemberThose surveyed were worried about the present and the future, with write-in responses mentioning high oil and gas prices.
Events & AwardsSep 30, 2026
Jewelers of America, JA New York to Host Networking EventThe event will take place on the evening of Oct. 26 in New York City.
IndependentsSep 29, 2026
Christy Bromberg, Longtime Gift Buyer for Underwood Jewelers, Dies at 68She is remembered for her joie de vivre, upbeat personality, genuine interest in other people, and love of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Events & AwardsSep 29, 2026
Matt Stuller to Receive 2027 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementThe founder and executive chairman of Stuller Inc. is being honored for his impact on the jewelry industry at the 25th annual Gem Awards.
ColumnistsSep 29, 2026
Your Holiday Marketing Has a Bridal Blind SpotDecember is the most popular month to propose, and jewelers need to keep that in mind when planning their holiday marketing.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
De Beers London Drops Water-Inspired High Jewelry Collection“Vibrations” features several firsts for De Beers’ high jewelry, including the use of chalcedony and diamonds sourced from artisanal miners.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
Jessica McCormack Turns to Classic Motif for New CollectionThe “Bows” collection features three interpretations of the bow motif designed with Georgian and Victorian influences.
Events & AwardsSep 28, 2026
Guy Borenstein, Troy Underwood Among the Professionals Honored at AGS Conclave 2026The American Gem Society recognized industry members, one Guild, and a law enforcement official for their contributions to jewelry.
FinancialsSep 28, 2026
Instappraise, Jewelers Mutual Look to Simplify Jewelry InsuranceThrough a new system integration, customers can now receive instant personal jewelry insurance quotes at the time of appraisal.
WatchesSep 25, 2026
Smaller Rolex Watches Showing Strength on Secondary Market, Data ShowsFive of the 10 fastest-appreciating Rolex models on Bob’s Watches were Datejust 31 or Lady Datejust watches.
MajorsSep 25, 2026
Sherwood Family Buys Back Daniel’s Jewelers from Private EquityThe Sherwood family and AJS Creations CEO Tejas Shah purchased the jewelry chain back from Palladium Equity Partners.
