CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
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
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnerCole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.
EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
WatchesJun 22, 2026
Snoopy Inspires New ‘Flying Ace’ Ball WatchThe beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.
CollectionsJun 18, 2026
Michelle Obama Wears Almasika Earrings Symbolizing Feminine PowerShe wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.
PodcastsJun 17, 2026
Episode 6: Las Vegas 2026-Trends, Traffic, Broken BathroomsCouture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.
GradingJun 17, 2026
SSEF Issues Warning on Refilled EmeraldsThe lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.
WatchesJun 17, 2026
Patek Philippe’s ‘Visionary’ Leader Philippe Stern Dies at 88 The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.
