CrimeDec 24, 2025
LA Jewelry District Couple Pleads Guilty to Hiding Millions from IRSThe couple pleaded guilty to concealing at least $127 million in cash transactions at its precious metals businesses.
AuctionsJan 11, 2017
In NYC, An Auction That’s Bound to Delight Rock Hounds
In 2017, Guernsey’s will offer a collection of Muzo Colombian emeralds and star rubies in two separate events.
The Mountain Star Ruby Collection, discovered in western North Carolina in 1990, will be sold as one lot in April at Guernsey’s auction house.
New York--The two gem auctions scheduled for this year at New York City auction house Guernsey’s are the stuff of a gem hound’s dreams.
On April 25, the company will offer the Marcial de Gomar Collection, comprised of more than 20 loose emeralds--both cut and rough--plus 13 pieces of emerald jewelry.
The emeralds in this collection come from the personal collection of Manuel Marcial de Gomar, the founder of Emeralds International LLC, who spent more than five decades in the gemstone business. This includes years working in the Muzo mines in Colombia, known to supply some of the best emeralds in the world.
His knowledge of the South American emeralds also has led him to become an author, lecturer and consultant. His family still is involved in the rare emerald business.
On April 25, the company will offer the Marcial de Gomar Collection, comprised of more than 20 loose emeralds--both cut and rough--plus 13 pieces of emerald jewelry.
The emeralds in this collection come from the personal collection of Manuel Marcial de Gomar, the founder of Emeralds International LLC, who spent more than five decades in the gemstone business. This includes years working in the Muzo mines in Colombia, known to supply some of the best emeralds in the world.
His knowledge of the South American emeralds also has led him to become an author, lecturer and consultant. His family still is involved in the rare emerald business.
La Gloria
A notable lot in the collection is the 887-carat La Gloria, the largest Muzo rough emerald in North America, according to the auction house.
There also is the Marcial de Gomar star emerald. At 25.86 carats it is the largest of only 11 star emeralds known to exist, according to the Gemological Institute of America. It also is rare in that it is a double-sided star emerald, meaning it exhibits the phenomenon on both sides.
Marcial de Gomar knew famed American treasure hunter Mel Fisher, who brought him in for his expertise after he discovered the wreck of the Spanish ship Nuestra Señora de Atocha off the coast of Florida in 1985. Muzo emeralds were part of the haul that surfaced from that shipwreck.
A few gold coins, such as the one pictured here, from the wreck of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha in the Florida Keys will be included in the April auction.
A few of the stones, as well as some rare gold coins from the discovery, eventually came to be in Marcial de Gomar’s collection and are included in the April auction.
Then in June, Guernsey’s will auction off the Mountain Star Ruby Collection. This is comprised of four “extraordinary” star rubies weighing 342 carats total, which will be sold together as one lot.
“It was suggested to us that part of the extraordinary nature of them is where they were found and their individual brilliance, but also the fact that they are four matching stones and it would be crazy, almost criminal, to destroy the collection and the set,” Guernsey’s President Arlan Ettinger told National Jeweler.
Jarvis Wayne Messer found the stones in western North Carolina in 1990.
Although Messer made his living as a fishing guide in the area, he was a self-described rock hound who made a number of interesting discoveries that ended up in museums across the country.
When he first found the star rubies, he was lacking the necessary funds to prove the importance of his discovery, so he got a friend to cut the stones into their cabochon shapes to reveal the stars.
He then enlisted friends to put forward money to have the stones looked at it, giving them a share in the stones and the results from the findings in exchange.
The 139-carat Appalachian Star Ruby
After being examined by a number of gemological labs, including the GIA, the largest of the four, the 139.43-carat Appalachian Star Ruby, went on display at the Natural History Museum in London, where it drew more than 150,000 visitors in just a few weeks, Ettinger said.
Shortly after the exhibit, Messer died and the collection went to his family, with whom it has remained since. A friend of Messer’s, who also was one of the original “investors” in the find, is the one who reached out to the auction house.
Guernsey’s did not provide any pre-sale estimates on the gemstones.
Ettinger said that the Mountain Star Ruby Collection will be offered without a minimum reserve, while about half of the Manuel Marcial de Gomar Collection will be offered without a reserve price.
“These are wonderful and important stones,” he said. “The world will determine what they’re worth.”
Ettinger also noted that a number of experts who have examined the Appalachian Star Ruby throughout its history have compared it to the 138-carat Rosser Reeves Star Ruby, which is one carat smaller and actually has only a five-sided star as one line is broken.
The Rosser Reeves was appraised at $25 million in the early 1980s and about 20 years later at $40 million, according to Guernsey’s.
“By comparing Rosser Reeves to the Appalachian Star, the Appalachian Star, by every account, seems to come out ahead,” he said. “That’s not condemning Rosser Reeves at all; it’s simply saying that may be great, but so is this one. In fact, this one may even be slightly greater.”
Sales of the two family-owned collections will be held live at the Americas Society on Park Avenue in Manhattan, with online bidding held at LiveAuctioneers.com.
Though Guernsey’s has only sold jewelry only once before--a diamond and South Sea pearl necklace and matching earrings worn by the late Princess Diana--the auction house is not unused to holding auctions of rare and valuable items.
Notable past auctions have included a collection covering all eras of the life of John F. Kennedy, the contents of the S.S. United States and, most recently, the complete archives of Rosa Parks.
But within the past 10 days, the auction house has been offered another opportunity to auction off an exceptional mineral piece.
“If this is a new direction for Guernsey’s, I’m thinking of it like a surf board and I’m riding the waves,” Ettinger said.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated on February 14, 2017, to reflect a change in the dates of the auctions made by Guernsey’s.
More on Auctions
The Latest
SurveysDec 24, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls Again in DecemberConsumers shared concerns about prices, inflation, tariffs, trade, and politics in the survey’s write-in response section.
Events & AwardsDec 24, 2025
NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Announces Winter EventThe new show will take place Jan. 23-25, 2026.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
SourcingDec 23, 2025
Mining Titan Brian Gilbertson Dies at 82The former BHP Billiton leader and Gemfields chairman is remembered for his influential leadership throughout his 50-year mining career.
Weekly QuizDec 23, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsDec 23, 2025
Bulgari Reimagines Costume Designers Guild AwardThe LVMH-owned brand has partnered with the costume design union to revamp its award for 2026.
MajorsDec 23, 2025
Kering to Acquire Stake in Raselli Franco GroupThe luxury titan inked a deal to acquire an initial minority stake in the jewelry manufacturer with a pathway to full ownership by 2032.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
MajorsDec 23, 2025
For Future Reference Vintage Enters Bloomingdale’sThe company’s curation of unsigned vintage and estate jewelry debuted at the Bloomingdale’s in Costa Mesa, California.
CrimeDec 22, 2025
Customs Seizes Hundreds of Fake Rolex, Cartier WatchesIn the recent multi-shipment seizure, CBP also found counterfeit Audemars Piguet, Moncler, and Chrome Hearts items.
EditorsDec 22, 2025
How Helzberg Is Reimagining Its StoresHelzberg’s Chief Retail Officer Mitch Maggart shared details about its tests of a new store concept rooted in an elevated luxury experience.
Recorded WebinarsDec 22, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: Looking Back on an Eventful Year Jewelers of America execs and National Jeweler editors discuss tariffs, the sky-high gold price, and the engagement that broke the internet.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
EditorsDec 19, 2025
2025 Jewelry Superlatives: A Yearbook-Style Year in Review The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
EditorsDec 18, 2025
Terry Chandler Looks Back on 40 Years of Opportunity, Change, and FriendsChandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.
WatchesDec 18, 2025
Bob’s Watches to Open Store in New York’s JFK AirportThe boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat ThemSponsored by Digital Monitoring Products
CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
