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.
Taylor’s jewelry exceeds auction expectations again
Jewelry once worn by the late Elizabeth Taylor soared past its pre-sale estimates at Julien’s Auctions recent Icons & Idols: Hollywood sale, held Saturday and Sunday in Beverly Hills.

Beverly Hills, Calif.--Jewelry once worn by the late Elizabeth Taylor soared past its pre-sale estimates at Julien’s Auctions recent Icons & Idols: Hollywood sale, held Saturday and Sunday in Beverly Hills.
An 18-karat yellow gold and gemstone suite of jewelry by Zorab realized $30,720, more than double its pre-sale high estimate of $15,000. The set consisted of a necklace and earrings featuring citrine, peridot, topaz and diamonds.
A gold-tone metal bangle featuring ribbing and raised details, with scarlet red bands, dangling lotus blossoms and beaded fringes, obliterated its pre-sale estimate of $2,000 to realize $14,080. Taylor wore the piece in the 1963 film Cleopatra.
Also worn by Taylor in the film was a falcon headdress, made of golden hand-etched and painted leather feathers with gold wire spines. The piece sold for $12,800, exceeding its pre-sale estimate of $3,000.
Clothing, furs, accessories and photographs that Taylor once owned and gifted to a former employee also were included in the sale, which offered more than 200 lots of celebrity memorabilia.
This is not the first time pieces worn by the legendary actress and AIDS activist, who died in March 2011, exceeded auction expectations.
In December 2011, Christie’s held a sale of Taylor jewelry in New York and it set a world record for most valuable jewelry auction in history when it garnered a total of $156.8 million. Christie’s Rahul Kadakia said the sale was “magic.”
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.























