Events & AwardsJun 06, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
AuctionsMar 15, 2019
Bonhams Sees White-Glove Sale of Lapidary Masterpieces
The top lot was this musical gemstone carousel, which went for well above its pre-sale estimate when it sold for $262,575.
This musical gemstone carousel, which required 960 hours of stone sculpting and cutting to make, was the top lot in Bonham’s “100 Lapidary Treasures from The Estate of Gerard L. Cafesjian” auction Tuesday.
Los Angeles—Interest in philanthropist and businessman Gerard Cafesjian’s personal lapidary collection proved to be high with Tuesday’s auction in Los Angeles selling 100 percent of the lots.
On March 12, Bonhams Los Angeles hosted “100 Lapidary Treasures from The Estate of Gerard L. Cafesjian,” showcasing a collection that reflects the late Cafesjian’s love of gemology, color, and form.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1925 to Armenian immigrants, Cafesjian served in the Navy during World War II and then went to school to earn degrees in geology, economics and, later, a law degree.
In 1952, he started a decades-long career with West Publishing Company, one of the largest publishers of legal materials, rising through the ranks and eventually amassing personal wealth.
He was known for his philanthropic pursuits, including launching an annual art exhibition called “Art and Law,” founding the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, and establishing the Cafesjian Family Foundation to donate millions to Armenian charities.
Tuesday’s sale of Cafesjian’s personal collection was led by an illuminated musical gemstone and gold carousel by Andreas von Zadora-Gerlof, circa 1991, which went for nearly double its pre-sale estimate when it garnered $262,575.
Cafesjian commissioned the carousel directly from the artist. The piece required 960 hours of stone sculpting and cutting, 3,250 hours of goldsmithing and 210 hours of stone setting to complete, according to Bonhams.
And the carousel wasn’t the only piece to go for well above its estimate.
The No. 2 lot in the sale was the ruby, granite and gold eagle sculpture by Luis Alberto Quispe Aparicio, circa 2007, pictured above.
It sold for $62,575 Tuesday, compared with a pre-sale estimate of $25,000 to $35,000.
It was followed closely by the “Bleeding Hearts” gold flower study (seen above) by renowned lapidary artist Manfred Wild.
It is comprised of 15 ruby flowers, white Cacholong opals from the Caspian Sea, 12 green leaves carved from Brazilian emerald, 109 pave-set diamonds, carved rock crystal with four inset sapphire slabs, two marquise-shaped ruby cabochons, and two triangular-shaped emerald cabochons.
The piece went for above its estimate of $30,000 to $50,000, selling for $56,325.
Rounding out the top lots were a carved agate falcon on a copper base by lapidary artist Gerd Dreher and a natural citrine carving of a lion by Gerhard Becker.
Meanwhile, the two online-only sales—“Gemstones from The Estate of Gerard L. Cafesjian” and“Minerals from The Estate of Gerard L. Cafesjian”—are
still currently open for bidding. They end tomorrow (March 16).
More on Auctions
The Latest
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
