MajorsApr 29, 2026
The Thought Process Behind the Mother's Day Email Opt-OutSome retailers are taking a nuanced approach to marketing what can be a difficult holiday for many.
AuctionsDec 09, 2016
Socialite’s Jewelry a White-Glove Sale at Christie’s
The property of Betsy Bloomingdale was 100 percent sold at the Magnificent Jewels sale, with one piece finishing among the top 10 lots.
This Harry Winston ring, set with a pear brilliant-cut diamond weighing approximately 29.01 carats and flanked by three tapered baguette-cut diamonds, sold for $1.9 million at Christie’s New York Wednesday.
New York--The jewelry of a woman who was married to a member of the Bloomingdale family proved to be very popular when it hit the auction block in New York Wednesday.
The property of Betsy Bloomingdale sold 100 percent by lot and totaled more than $4 million in Christie’s New York Magnificent Jewels sale, with the auction house noting that the collection begat competitive salesroom bidding.
California-born Betty Lee Newling, known as Betsy, married Alfred Bloomingdale, the heir to the Bloomingdale’s department store future, in 1946 and had three children with him.
The couple was influential in business, politics, culture and fashion, and counted some of the country’s most notable families--Forbes, Paley and Reagan among them--as part of their inner circle.
Betsy Bloomingdale was a world traveler and socialite, known for throwing lavish dinner parties and wearing the most fashionable haute couture and fine jewels while entertaining.
She died this summer at the age of 93.
Her 29.01-carat pear brilliant-cut diamond ring flanked by three tapered baguettes sold for $1.9 million, making it the No. 4 lot in the sale, while a Harry Winston graduated diamond cluster necklace went for $1 million.
There also was a pair of diamond ear pendants by Harry Winston, each featuring a suspended cluster of marquise and pear-shaped diamonds attached to a circular and pear-shaped diamond surmount, that sold for $487,500, and a diamond cluster brooch that soared above its highest pre-sale estimate ($150,000) to sell for $223,500.
Bloomingdale’s Harry Winston diamond brooch has a detachable waterfall spray of pear-shaped diamonds, the largest five weighing approximately 3.91, 3.19, 2.99, 2.78 and 2.66 carats, suspended from the scrolling pear-shaped, marquise and baguette-cut diamond surmount. The piece sold for $223,500.
Her Harry Winston ear pendants each feature a suspended cluster of marquise and pear-shaped diamonds, as well as a circular and pear-shaped diamond surmount. Two of the marquise brilliant-cut diamonds weigh approximately 4.06 and 3.64 carats, and two of the pear brilliant-cut diamonds are approximately 2.87 and 2.36 carats. They garnered $487,500, going for slightly more than their $400,000 pre-sale estimate.
Betsy Bloomingdale’s Harry Winston necklace was designed as a graduated pear, circular and marquise-cut diamond cluster necklace, with the largest 12 pear-shaped diamonds weighing 4.10 to 2.17 carats. Predicted to sell for as much as $600,000, it went for $1 million.
Her ruby bead and diamond tassel necklace from Van Cleef & Arpels was estimated to sell for between $30,000 and $50,000 but actually went for $100,000 at Christie’s.
Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale totaled $51.3 million Wednesday.
The top lot overall was a platinum ring set with a rectangular-cut 51.35-carat diamond, which sold for $5.6 million, followed by a 75.41-carat cushion-cut sapphire ring that went for $3.8 million.
Visit Christies.com for the full list of results.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
IndependentsApr 29, 2026
Dick Abbott to Retire From The EdgeThe Edge has announced its new CEO, as well as a new partnership with an investment firm focused on founder-led software businesses.
SourcingApr 29, 2026
De Beers’ Production Rises, Market Remains ‘Challenged’De Beers’ diamond production was up 17 percent in Q1, boosted by increased output at its mines in South Africa and Canada.
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.
Policies & IssuesApr 28, 2026
Tariff Refunds: How to File, What to Expect Importers can submit claims now to receive money back for the IEEPA tariffs they’ve paid, with refunds expected to take up to 90 days.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsApr 28, 2026
This North Carolina Jeweler Is Passing the TorchThe owners of Gregory Jewelers in Morganton, North Carolina, are heading into retirement.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
Doug Hucker Retires From ICAThe colored gemstone industry leader is heading into retirement after four years as the association’s CEO.
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.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
NDC Hires Tapestry Exec to Head Global Marketing Susie Dewey joins the Natural Diamond Council as its new chief marketing officer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
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.
