From a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
51-carat fancy vivid yellow to lead Sotheby’s sale
A 51.75-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond flanked by two 6.15-carat triangle-shaped diamonds set in a platinum ring is expected to sell for as much as $3.5 million at Sotheby’s Dec. 11 auction.
New York--A 51.75-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond flanked by two 6.15-carat triangle-shaped diamonds set in a platinum ring is expected to sell for as much as $3.5 million at Sotheby’s Dec. 11 auction.
The cut-cornered square-shaped yellow diamond is VS1 clarity and is the “property of a distinguished lady,” Sotheby’s said.
The Magnificent Jewels auction will take place in New York and offer, in addition to the yellow diamond, rare Egyptian jewels by Cartier and additional diamond lots.
An Egyptian-revival faience and jeweled brooch, made by Cartier London circa 1923, is in the shape of a fan with an ancient green-glazed bust of the goddess Sekhmet at the center. The bust is set against a lapis lazuli sky with diamond stars, and is one of only two fan-shaped brooches ever made by Cartier London.
The piece was exhibited in 1924 at the French Industrial Exposition at Grand Central Palace in New York. It is expected to sell for up to $500,000.
Another diamond lot, a 24.48-carat emerald-cut D color, VS1 clarity diamond set in a platinum ring has a pre-sale high estimate of $2.5 million.
A platinum and 18-karat gold bracelet boasting eight cushion-cut emeralds weighing between 5.73 and 14.72 carats and spaced by round, marquise and pear-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 15.72 carats is expected to sell for up to $1.5 million.
“Sotheby’s has broken world auction record after world auction record in our jewelry sales this fall in both Hong Kong and Geneva, establishing new benchmark prices for any diamond, any jewel and any jewelry auction. Our December sale in New York is distinguished by a number of true masterpieces,” said Lisa Hubbard, chairman of Sotheby’s North and South America and Sotheby’s international jewelry division.
Also included in the Magnificent Jewels auction will be Bulgari’s 18-karat gold, spinel, turquoise and diamond earrings, inspired by the late actress Elizabeth Taylor and her 1963 film Cleopatra. As a tribute to Taylor, Bulgari will donate 100 percent of the sale’s proceeds to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
The earrings are expected to garner up to $22,000.
The Latest

Groundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.

Jost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.

With customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine


From shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.

The designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.

A Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.

Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.

“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.

The lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.

A Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.

New collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.

The citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.

Lanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.

Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.

To enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.

The grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.

The winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.

It is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.

Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.

The jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.

Spectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.

Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.

Alexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.

The Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.

Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.























