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.
AuctionsSep 25, 2018
Diamonds, Art Deco Top Auction of Gold Medalist’s Collection
Hungarian swimmer Katherine Domyan’s estate included a Van Cleef & Arpels ruby and diamond bracelet that sold for $504,000 at a jewelry auction in New York.
This Van Cleef & Arpels late Art Deco ruby and diamond bracelet sold for $504,000 at the Bonhams New York Fine Jewelry sale last week, just topping its highest pre-sale estimate of $500,000.
New York—Diamonds and Art Deco shone brightly during the recent auction of an Olympic champion’s expansive jewelry collection.
On Sept. 21, Bonhams New York offered jewelry from the estate of Katherine Domyan, two-time gold medalist, as part of its Fine Jewelry sale.
Domyan was born in Budapest, Hungary, the daughter of two-time Olympic champion water polo player Marton Homonnai and Hungarian swimming champion Katalin Szoke.
She competed in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics at the age of 17, winning two gold medals and setting world records, and won gold again at the 1954 European Aquatics Championships in Turin, Italy.
Domyan and the man who would become her husband, Arpad, also an accomplished athlete, both competed in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.
After the ‘56 Games ended, Domyan and dozens of other Hungarian athletes defected, declining to return home to Soviet rule. They were stranded in Australia until Sports Illustrated magazine stepped in to help, and were granted political asylum in the United States in late 1956.
She moved to the United States in 1957 and married Arpad four years later. In the U.S., the couple built a successful real estate business, building offices and apartment complexes nationwide.
Domyan died in October 2017 at the age of 82.
When her jewelry went up on the block last week in New York, her Art Deco and diamond pieces proved to be the most popular.
Her jewelry lots were led by an Art Deco-era ruby and diamond bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels. The piece featured a geometric openwork design centered on three rectangular-shaped emerald-cut rubies, flanked by half-moon-shaped diamonds and set throughout with baguette and round brilliant-cut diamonds accented by calibré-cut rubies.
It went for $504,500, just topping its pre-sale high estimate of $500,000.
Following that was Domyan’s Harry Winston necklace circa 1984, pictured below, featuring 86.30 carats of diamonds, which went for $492,500, falling within its pre-sale estimate of $350,000- $550,000. 
This was followed by the Harry Winston ring seen below.
The ring, circa 1985, centered on an emerald-cut diamond weighing 23.13 carats flanked by trillion-shaped diamonds and set in platinum. It sold for $444,500, topping a pre-sale estimate of $250,000 -$350,000.
Another of the top lots was a second Harry Winston fringe necklace, this one with a total diamond weight of 66.20 carats, which sold for $ 324,500.
Domyan’s David Webb jewelry also was in high demand at the sale, according to Bonhams.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Top lots included a rock crystal, diamond and ruby bangle that sold for $70,000; an emerald and diamond necklace that garnered $75,000; and a pair of enamel and diamond cuffs, which sold for $56,250, exceeding their pre-sale estimate of $30,000 to $40,000.
The collection ended up selling 59 lots for a total of $2.9 million.
The collection ended up selling 59 lots for a total of $2.9 million.
More on Auctions
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
IndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership TeamAs demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out NowThe “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.
PodcastsApr 15, 2026
Episode 4: The Natural Diamond DilemmaSally Morrison and Mark Klein discuss De Beers’ first beacon in 16 years and the mistake the industry made with lab-grown diamonds.
MajorsApr 15, 2026
Spark Creations’ Randy McKenzie Dies at 72 McKenzie spent 45 years with Spark Creations and is remembered for being kind, dedicated, and hardworking.
WatchesApr 15, 2026
These Are the New Rolex Watches for 2026Rolex focused exclusively on the Oyster Perpetual this year, as the model is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
