Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
Christie’s announces record half-year results
Auction house Christie’s is having a record-setting year so far, announcing a 22 percent increase in total sales and noting its 20th consecutive year of auction market leadership in the jewelry sector.

Christie’s luxury category, which includes jewelry, watches and wine sales, have totaled $455.5 million in the six-month period ended June 30, a 20 percent increase as compared with 2013.
Colored diamonds have been instrumental in driving up the totals of Christie’s jewelry sales in the first half of the year.
The largest fancy blue vivid diamond in the world sold for $23.8 million at Christie’s May 14 sale of Magnificent Jewels in Geneva. The diamond’s price brought the auction’s total to more than $150 million and set a new world auction record for a jewelry sale.
RELATED CONTENT: Aided by big blue, Christie’s sale sets new record
Also in May, a 6.13-carat cushion-shaped fancy intense green diamond ring set a world auction word price for a fancy intense green diamond when it sold for $3.6 million. In June, a 5.50-carat fancy vivid pink diamond sold for $9.6 million at Christie’s New York, exceeding its pre-sale high estimate of $7.5 million.
Christie’s total sales, including for categories outside luxury, have increased to $4.47 billion in the first half of the year, driven not only by an increase in the value of artwork but also through digital engagement and new buyers, the auction house said.
Christie’s launched the Watch Shop earlier this year, an online-only retail model that provides e-commerce consumers with a place to buy rare, vintage and luxury timepieces through a retail store format, rather than as an online auction.
RELATED CONTENT: Christie’s enters retail with online watch store
Christie’s said to date, 33 percent of its Watch Shop consumers are new customers. While the average watch price is around $10,000, the highest price achieved on the digital store is $58,000.
The Watch Shop also is the most-viewed sale of any of Christie’s auctions or online sales to date in 2014, aiding in the watch category’s 10 percent growth in the first half of the year.
Online-only auctions also continue to attract new buyers and
Christie’s first introduced online-only jewelry sales in 2013, and has held five of these auctions to date, offering pieces from brands including Chopard, Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier. While the jewelry offered is at relatively lower price points as compared with its regular auctions, generally less than $50,000, the company has said the online-only sales have been instrumental in engaging new collectors from around the world.
The highest-grossing piece sold online this year (though not in an online-only auction) is a Van Cleef & Arpels diamond ring, which went for $2.8 million through Christie’s Live, part of its Magnificent Jewels sale held in Geneva in May.
Geographically, strong results in the first half of the year were recorded by region, with significant activity in the Americas. New York sales are up 31 percent to $1.76 billion, and sales in the EMERI region (Europe, the Middle East, Russia and India) have increased 22 percent to $1.45 billion.
“Christie’s continued position of leadership is evidenced again in our half-year results. Yet more important is that we are meeting our goal of serving more clients than any other art business globally and at all levels of collecting,” said Christie’s CEO Steven Murphy.
The Latest

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

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

The “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.


The event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.

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

Agents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.

The organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.

The “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.

Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

Signatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.

The winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.

The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.

The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.

The Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.

To mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.

The gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.