ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
AuctionsAug 10, 2016
Sotheby’s, eBay partner to offer online auctions
Consumers soon will have the ability to more easily bid on art, antiques and collectibles at Sotheby’s auctions, thanks to a recent partnership between the auction house and e-tailer eBay.
New York--Consumers soon will have the ability to more easily bid on art, antiques and collectibles at Sotheby’s auctions, thanks to a recent partnership between the auction house and e-tailer eBay.
The two companies are developing an online platform that will allow Internet users to browse and bid on a number of Sotheby’s live auctions in New York through a soon-to-be-launched website that will offer real-time bidding from anywhere in the world.
Both eBay and Sotheby’s said collectors increasingly are purchasing high-end items online, including on-the-go from their mobile devices.
By the numbers
According to number provided by Sotheby’s, online bidders competed for 17 percent of the total lots offered in the auction house’s 2013 sales, and the number of lots purchased online last year increased 36 percent versus 2012.
The number of visitors accessing Sotheby’s website via a mobile device, meaning a smartphone or tablet, doubled in 2013 as compared to 2012, and mobile traffic in 2014 now accounts for 25 percent of the auction house’s total website traffic.
In addition, a new record for an online purchase in a live auction at Sotheby’s was set last April when a remote bidder purchased John James Audubon’s elephant-folio (an enormous book of paintings) The Birds of America for $3.5 million.
EBay, which has 145 million global active buyers in 190 countries, closes more than 3,500 auctions on its site daily.
The company brought in $20 billion via mobile devices in 2013 and said 40 percent of its sales volume is “touched” by mobile.
In addition, last year collectibles, which would be the type of items Sotheby’s sells, accounted for nearly $8 billion of its gross merchandise volume through 36 million active buyers.
“The growth of the art market, new generation technology and our shared strengths make this the right time for this exciting new online opportunity,” Sotheby’s Chief Operating Officer Bruno Vinciguerra said. “We are joining with eBay to make our sales more accessible to the broadest possible audience around the world.”
The auctions
Sotheby’s will present 18 collecting categories in the auctions that will be offered on the new online platform, with a plan to explore themed and time-based sales in the future.
Although evening sales will not be included, the auction house said they may consider adding live auctions from its other global salesrooms, in Geneva, Hong Kong, Doha, London, Milan, Paris and Zurich.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Both companies will focus on growing the market at price points where they expect their collectors to converge in the future, particularly in the jewelry, watches, prints, wine, photographs and 20th century design segments.
The global art market currently is estimated at around $65 billion, Sotheby’s said, and projection shows that online art sales could reach $13 billion by 2020.
“A Sotheby’s-eBay partnership is a significant milestone in our efforts to expand the live auction market,” said eBay Marketplaces President Davin Wenig, adding that Sotheby’s is a respected name in the world. “When you combine its inventory with eBay’s technology platform and global reach, we can give people access to the world’s finest, most inspiring items, anytime, anywhere and from any device.”
More on Auctions
The Latest
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
MajorsApr 27, 2026
JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board ChairThe trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
