ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
AuctionsJun 13, 2018
$3.1M Jewelry Auction Caps Record-Breaking Rockefeller Sale
The estate of Peggy and David Rockefeller, which also included art, porcelain and furniture, just became the most expensive private collection sold at auction.
This is the platinum Raymond Yard diamond ring that David Rockefeller used to propose to his wife Peggy in 1940. It sold for $$287,500 at auction Tuesday.
New York--Their family is practically American royalty, and their estate, including a number of jewels, sure sold like they were.
On Tuesday, Christie’s New York auctioned off signed jewelry from the Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller, capping off a series of sales from the estate of the couple that was one of the last links to the Gilded Age.
David Rockefeller was the youngest and last-surviving grandchild of America’s first billionaire, John D. Rockefeller Sr. He died in March 2017 at the age of 101. Peggy died two decades earlier, in 1996.
The couple’s entire estate went up for auction this spring, with proceeds going to philanthropies they supported during their lifetimes, benefitting scientific research, higher education, support for the arts, sustainable economic development, and land conservation initiatives, among others.
There were 19 lots in Tuesday’s Magnificent Jewels sale from the couple, with the most important jewelry pieces from them including Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co., Raymond Yard and Van Cleef & Arpels, among other houses.
All 19 lots sold, with many outperforming their pre-sale estimates. The top lot of the group was a sapphire and diamond ring by Raymond Yard, realizing $372,500.
The jewelry lots also included the platinum Raymond Yard ring with which David proposed to Peggy in 1940. The ring, set with a cut-cornered rectangular step-cut diamond weighing 5.63 carats and epaulet and triangular-cut diamond shoulders, sold for $287,500--more than double its pre-sale estimate high.
All told, the various sales of The Peggy and David Rockefeller Collection resulted in more than $835.1 million in sales, which Christie’s said is the highest total for a private collection at auction.
It spanned a six-month campaign, 10 days of online sales and three days of auctions at Christie’s Rockefeller Center, putting on offer 19th and 20th century art, furniture, porcelain and more.
Also held on Tuesday, concurrent with the Rockefeller auction, was Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale, which was 89 percent sold by volume and 95 percent sold by value.
That portion of the auction was led by a ring set with the 20.47-carat old mine brilliant-cut diamond seen below, which garnered $2.7 million.
The sale also featured an “exceptional” Burmese ruby ring by Tiffany & Co., given by American composer and lyricist Irving Berlin to his wife Ellin for their 40th wedding anniversary, which sold for $1.2 million.
Also featured in the sale were several
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
other notable private collections--including property from the collection of Steve and Peggy Fossett, the estate of Ruth S. Stanton and property formerly from the collection of Mrs. Douglas Fairbanks Jr.--and lots from top houses like Belperron, Bulgari, Hemmerle, Lalique, Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels.
For a full list of results, visit Christies.com.
For a full list of results, visit Christies.com.
More on Auctions
The Latest
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
Weekly QuizMay 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
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.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEOJosé Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.
Events & AwardsMay 07, 2026
JA Accepting Applications for 2026 Scholarship ProgramIt has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.
SourcingMay 06, 2026
Canada’s Oldest Diamond Mine Faces Uncertain FutureThe owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.
FinancialsMay 06, 2026
Pandora to Add Carbon Footprint Info to Lab-Grown DiamondsThe company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.
MajorsMay 06, 2026
Saks Global Begins Layoffs, Reorganization Plans Closer to ApprovalThe retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.
EditorsMay 05, 2026
This Ohio Designer’s Jewelry Made It to the Met GalaMegan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.
SourcingMay 05, 2026
Doug Hucker Returns to His RootsFollowing decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
AMNH to Showcase Famous Jewelry, Trophies in Sports HistoryThe museum’s new exhibition will feature one of Jesse Owen’s Olympic medals, Yogi Berra’s crown, Super Bowl rings, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
JIS Launches Brand Exposure ProgramThe new program provides access to media exposure and editorial opportunities for exhibitors and retailers.
CollectionsMay 04, 2026
Melanie Georgacopoulos Turns Pearls Into Light for ‘Eclipse’ CollectionThe “Eclipse” jewelry collection captures the fleeting moment where light and shadow align though onyx, diamonds, and freshwater pearls.
ColumnistsMay 04, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
