CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
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.
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
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
