Senior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.
Jackie Collins’s Estate Is a White Glove Sale for Bonhams
The top lot of the sale was a ring featuring a 6.04-carat pear-shaped diamond that sold for $187,500.

Los Angeles--Interest in the estate of romance novelist Jackie Collins proved to be huge at Bonhams this week, as the auction house sold everything of hers that it offered.
The British-born writer published her first novel, “The World is Full of Married Men,” in 1968, kicking off a 47-year writing career.
She wrote 32 best-selling novels, and while Bonhams Global CEO and Global Head of Jewelry Matthew Girling acted as one of the auctioneers for the sale, he managed to namecheck every one, to the room’s entertainment, the auction house said.
Collins and her husband, gallery and nightclub owner Oscar Lerman, custom built their nearly 22,000-square-foot Beverly Hills home in the early 1990s, where she grew her collections of fine art, sculpture and jewelry.
Collins, who is the sister of English actress and author Joan Collins, died in September 2015 of breast cancer at the age of 77.
The top lot of the sale of her estate was a ring featuring a 6.04-carat pear-shaped diamond flanked by tapered baguette-cut diamonds totaling 1 carat. It went for $187,500 Wednesday.
There also was a gold and diamond David Yurman collar that sold for $65,000, a Patek Philippe platinum and diamond wristwatch that achieved $31,250, and a platinum Art Deco diamond and emerald necklace that sold for $56,250.
Collins also was a serious collector of fine art and sculpture, with a particular passion for Art Deco sculpture and 20th century American and British painting.
Other notable highlights from the two-day auction include the “Scarf Dancer” bronze by Josef Lorenzl, circa 1925, that sold for $21,250; several works by the English painter Beryl Cook, including “Tango in Bar Sur” that achieved $27,500; and Collins’ bespoke special edition 2002 Jaguar XKR Sportscar finished in metallic gold, which sold for $43,750.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to three organizations supporting the empowerment of women: Malala Fund, Equality Now and WriteGirl.
From today through June 1, other items from Collins’ Beverly Hills home are up for auction online, including Art Deco sculpture, jewelry, watches, fine art, memorabilia and furniture.
The Latest

The first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.

The online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.


Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.

A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.

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

The retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.

The jeweler’s largest store yet is set to open in Little Rock next fall.

Anne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.

Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.

While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.

JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.

The “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.

Creative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.

Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.

“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.

Emmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.

The wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.

As demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.