TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
AuctionsDec 13, 2018
This Ring Belonging to a Klimt Muse Just Sold at Auction
The diamond “toi et moi” ring was owned by the husband of Adele Bloch-Bauer, better known as “The Woman in Gold.”
This diamond and colored diamond “toi et moi” ring was owned by the Bloch-Bauer family for a century before appearing at auction at Sotheby’s London this week.
London—The worlds of fine art and jewelry merged at Sotheby’s London Fine Jewels sale this week.
Headlining the jewelry auction was a “toi et moi” ring from the Art Nouveau period originally belonging to Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer and believed to have been worn by his wife, Adele, the subject of famed painter Gustav Klimt’s “The Woman in Gold.”
wn diamond and a 1.85-carat round near-colorless diamond, the ring was estimated to sell for approximately $6,322 to $8,850, but smashed those figures, garnering $55,318.
Of the piece’s historical significance, the head of Sotheby’s London jewelry department, Kristian Spofforth, said: “The story of this ring intertwines with that of one of the most iconic paintings in the history of art.
“Klimt immortalized Adele Bloch-Bauer in an armor of gold and jewels, demonstrating the rich dialogue between the disciplines in the Art Nouveau movement. The jewel is a glittering fragment of the opulence of early 20th-century Vienna. The simplicity of its design and its beautiful curved lines also make it a jewel of timeless modernity.”
Headlining the jewelry auction was a “toi et moi” ring from the Art Nouveau period originally belonging to Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer and believed to have been worn by his wife, Adele, the subject of famed painter Gustav Klimt’s “The Woman in Gold.”
wn diamond and a 1.85-carat round near-colorless diamond, the ring was estimated to sell for approximately $6,322 to $8,850, but smashed those figures, garnering $55,318.
Of the piece’s historical significance, the head of Sotheby’s London jewelry department, Kristian Spofforth, said: “The story of this ring intertwines with that of one of the most iconic paintings in the history of art.
“Klimt immortalized Adele Bloch-Bauer in an armor of gold and jewels, demonstrating the rich dialogue between the disciplines in the Art Nouveau movement. The jewel is a glittering fragment of the opulence of early 20th-century Vienna. The simplicity of its design and its beautiful curved lines also make it a jewel of timeless modernity.”
Adele Bloch-Bauer was a society figure and patron of the arts in turn-of-the-century Vienna. She was born into a wealthy Jewish Viennese family in 1881, and in 1899 married industrialist Ferdinand Bloch.
Together, Adele and Ferdinand were key players in the burgeoning capital of art, music, architecture, philosophy and literature, hosting creatives like Stefan Zweig and Arthur Schnitzler at their famed weekly salons.
Adele died of meningitis in 1925, at age 43. Klimt’s painting of her cloaked in gold and jewels (which actually was called “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I”) was stolen by the Nazis, and was one of a handful of works belonging to the Bloch-Bauer family that relatives later successfully fought the Austrian government to return. The family's fight was the subject of a 2015 movie starring Helen Mirren called “Woman in Gold.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
As for the toi et moi ring, Ferdinand eventually gave it to his great-niece Helen Marie Stutzova as a wedding present. She in turn bequeathed it to her daughter, Charlotte Mayer.
The ring’s fascinating history doesn’t end there. It made its way to London in 1939 when Stutzova and Mayer fled to the English capital to escape the Nazis. Mayer became an accomplished sculptor in the United Kingdom and the ring remained in the family until its sale Tuesday to a private bidder.
For more sale results, visit Sotheby’s website.
More on Auctions
The Latest
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
Weekly QuizFeb 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsFeb 11, 2026
TJS Announces Roundtable, Launches New AppRegistration is now open for The Jewelry Symposium, set to take place in Detroit from May 16-19.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
At Meeting in South Africa, Support for Natural Diamonds Picks Up Steam Namibia has formally signed the Luanda Accord, while two key industry organizations pledged to join the Natural Diamond Council.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
TrendsFeb 10, 2026
Bad Bunny Wears Football-Shaped ‘Desert Diamond’ for Halftime PerformanceLady Gaga, Cardi B, and Karol G also went with diamond jewelry for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show honoring Puerto Rico.
SurveysFeb 10, 2026
Shoppers to Spend Big on Jewelry This Valentine’s Day, Says NRFJewelry is expected to be the No. 1 gift this year in terms of dollars spent.
FinancialsFeb 10, 2026
Kering Plans Transformation as 2025 Sales Sink 13%As star brand Gucci continues to struggle, the luxury titan plans to announce a new roadmap to return to growth.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
AGTA To Debut ‘Stuller Color of the Year’ Spectrum Awards CategoryThe new category asks entrants for “exceptional” interpretations of the supplier’s 2026 color of the year, which is “Signature Red.”
Policies & IssuesFeb 09, 2026
U.S., India Trade Deal One Step Closer to Being FinalizedThe White House issued an official statement on the deal, which will eliminate tariffs on loose natural diamonds and gemstones from India.
Events & AwardsFeb 09, 2026
JA Now Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsEntries for the jewelry design competition will be accepted through March 20.
IndependentsFeb 09, 2026
James Free Jewelers Unveils Revamped FlagshipThe Ohio jeweler’s new layout features a curated collection of brand boutiques to promote storytelling and host in-store events.
TrendsFeb 09, 2026
These 14 Jewels Will Melt Your Heart This Valentine’s DayFrom heart motifs to pink pearls, Valentine’s Day is filled with jewelry imbued with love.
CrimeFeb 06, 2026
Florida Man Sentenced After Selling Fake Native American Jewelry for a Decade Prosecutors say the man attended arts and craft fairs claiming he was a third-generation jeweler who was a member of the Pueblo tribe.
FinancialsFeb 06, 2026
Pandora’s North America GM Departs Amid Executive ChangesNew CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier shared her priorities for the Danish jewelry company this year as part of its fourth-quarter results.
TrendsFeb 06, 2026
Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi Wear Matching Cece Jewellery Signet RingsOur Piece of the Week picks are these bespoke rings the “Wuthering Heights” stars have been spotted wearing during the film’s press tour.
MajorsFeb 05, 2026
Pandora to Begin Selling Platinum-Plated JewelryThe introduction of platinum plating will reduce its reliance on silver amid volatile price swings, said Pandora.
SourcingFeb 05, 2026
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2026, Anglo Mulls Another WritedownIt would be the third impairment charge in three years on De Beers Group, which continues to grapple with a “challenging” diamond market.
IndependentsFeb 05, 2026
Borsheims to Undergo Massive Renovation in the Spring The Omaha jewelry store’s multi-million-dollar renovation is scheduled to begin in mid-May and take about six months.
CollectionsFeb 05, 2026
Marco Bicego’s Amethyst Collection Travels to a Purple ParadiseThe “Paradise Amethyst” collection focuses on amethyst, pink tourmaline, garnet, and 18-karat yellow gold beads.
FinancialsFeb 05, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Reports Strong Holiday Results in Q3The retailer credited its Roberto Coin campaign, in part, for boosting its North America sales.
ColumnistsFeb 04, 2026
January Jewelry Sales: More Dollars Spent, Fewer Units Sold Sherry Smith unpacks independent retailers’ January performance and gives tips for navigating the slow-growth year ahead.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
What Designers Should Know About Saks Global’s BankruptcyFrom how to get an invoice paid to getting merchandise returned, JVC’s Sara Yood answers some complex questions.
TrendsFeb 04, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: February Birthstone BlissAmethyst, the birthstone for February, is a gemstone to watch this year with its rich purple hue and affordable price point.
