MajorsJan 02, 2026
Marc Metrick Out as CEO of Saks Global Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over the role as rumors swirl that a bankruptcy filing is imminent for the troubled retailer.
AuctionsOct 13, 2020
Legendary Mineral Dealer’s Collection Goes Up for Auction
Pieces from the late Rock Currier’s collection head to Bonhams, including a 530-carat kunzite and a gold jewelry box decorated with gemstones.
This gold jewelry box is set with 51 gemstones, including amazonite, bloodstone, sapphire, tourmaline, quartz, malachite, agate and opal, among others, and is expected to sell for between $25,000 and $35,000 at Bonhams later this month.
New York—A selection of pieces from a pioneering mineral collector and dealer are heading to auction.
According to a website dedicated to the life and collections of Rock Currier, his early collecting days started in Boron, California, where he became interested in borates.
He then moved to New York, where he began building a photographic library of specimens and expanding his own knowledge of minerals and localities.
He decided to become a mineral dealer in 1972, making his first trip to India that year, and started buying for Jewel Tunnel Imports.
The late pioneering mineral dealer traveled everywhere in his search to source specimens and was pivotal in in developing mineral markets in India, Namibia, Peru, Brazil, Chile, Russia, China, and Mali, among other places.
While he was gathering specimens for sale, Currier also amassed an impressive personal collection. At the 2003 Springfield Show, for example, he displayed more than 50 cases of his own pieces.
He was also a prolific writer, and worked on behalf of online mineralogical database Mindat, sharing his knowledge and documenting what he knew about localities, including posting more than 10,000 messages on the site and sharing more than 10,000 photos.
He died in September 2015.
A selection of Currier’s personal collection is set to go up on the auction block at the upcoming Bonhams Lapidary Arts and Gems auction in Los Angeles on Oct. 26.
Highlights of the sale include a nodule opal from Lightning Ridge, Australia with a black base color and play-of-color dominated by reds and oranges with minor flashes of green and blue, weighing about 41.40 carats and measuring 37.99 x 22.07 x 7.06 mm (estimated to sell between $60,000 and $80,000), and a large chrysoprase specimen from Papua New Guinea (estimated between $3,000 and $5,000).
Both are seen below.
It also will include the 530-carat cushion-cut kunzite from Brazil (estimated from $20,000-30,000) pictured below at left and the 19.11-carat “royal blue” cushion-shaped sapphire ($200,000-$250,000) seen at right.
Rounding out the highlights are a smoky quartz carving depicting dolphins, carved in China ($3,000-4,000), below left, and a large specimen of quartz from Minas Gerais, Brazil with a hexagonal outline with polished faces and at least two distinct stages of phantoming within ($3,000-4,000) at right.
There will also be a rare suite of demantoid garnet from the Ural Mountains of Russia. Featuring 60 circular, brilliant-cut green garnets weighing
a total of 58.87 carats—the largest at 1.66 carats and the smallest at 0.45 carats—the lot is estimated to sell for between $80,000 and $100,000.
“Rock Currier was a remarkable man and a great influence in the world of gemology. He collected whatever caught his fancy, whether it was an agate marble, polished piece of quartz, gemstone, or world caliber mineral specimen, it all went into his collection,” said Bonhams Co-consulting Director of Gemology, Claudia Florian.
“The lapidary items presented in the auction are what caught his fancy over the course of 60 years, and it’s a great privilege to have been entrusted with them.”
To view the full catalog, visit Bonhams.com.
More on Auctions
The Latest
Events & AwardsJan 02, 2026
Jan Mohr, Couture’s ‘North Star,’ Dies at 71Mohr had just retired in June after more than two decades as Couture’s retailer liaison.
SourcingJan 02, 2026
IDCA Elects New President, Board of DirectorsShekhar Shah of Real Gems Inc. will serve as president of the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association in 2026.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
CollectionsJan 02, 2026
Lalaounis’ 2026 Good Luck Charm Speaks to ResilienceThis year’s good luck charm features the mythical horse Pegasus, and is our first Piece of the Week of the new year.
Weekly QuizDec 23, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsDec 31, 2025
The Top 5 Stories of 2025Articles about crime, engagement rings, and a necklace worn in the World Series generated the most interest among readers.
MajorsDec 30, 2025
Becka Johnson Kibby to Lead Edge Retail AcademyAs part of the leadership transition, Sherry Smith will take on the role of vice president of coaching strategy and development.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
SourcingDec 30, 2025
India Chosen as KP Chair for 2026It marks the third time the country has headed the Kimberley Process. Ghana will serve as vice chair.
WatchesDec 30, 2025
Bulova, Stetson Collab on Watches With Western FlairThe new Bulova x Stetson designs highlight two animals often associated with the American West—the bison and the Texas Longhorn.
CollectionsDec 30, 2025
Rahaminov Diamonds Pops Up in FloridaIts residency at Yamron Jewelers will run through May 2026.
IndependentsDec 29, 2025
In Memoriam: Industry Friends We Lost in 2025From influential executives to innovative designers, we pay tribute to the people we said goodbye to this year.
MajorsDec 29, 2025
Tanishq Opens New Stores in Florida, VirginiaThe retailer is expanding into areas with large Indian and South Asian populations.
MajorsDec 29, 2025
Nanis Opens First Flagship Store The Italian brand has opened its first flagship amid the peaks of the Dolomites in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy.
SourcingDec 29, 2025
‘Unearthed: Raw Beauty’ Exhibition Opens at LA MuseumThe new curation at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County showcases rare gem and mineral specimens in their uncut, natural state.
CrimeDec 24, 2025
LA Jewelry District Couple Pleads Guilty to Hiding Millions from IRSThe couple pleaded guilty to concealing at least $127 million in cash transactions at its precious metals businesses.
SurveysDec 24, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls Again in DecemberConsumers shared concerns about prices, inflation, tariffs, trade, and politics in the survey’s write-in response section.
Events & AwardsDec 24, 2025
NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Announces Winter EventThe new show will take place Jan. 23-25, 2026.
SourcingDec 23, 2025
Mining Titan Brian Gilbertson Dies at 82The former BHP Billiton leader and Gemfields chairman is remembered for his influential leadership throughout his 50-year mining career.
Events & AwardsDec 23, 2025
Bulgari Reimagines Costume Designers Guild AwardThe LVMH-owned brand has partnered with the costume design union to revamp its award for 2026.
MajorsDec 23, 2025
Kering to Acquire Stake in Raselli Franco GroupThe luxury titan inked a deal to acquire an initial minority stake in the jewelry manufacturer with a pathway to full ownership by 2032.
MajorsDec 23, 2025
For Future Reference Vintage Enters Bloomingdale’sThe company’s curation of unsigned vintage and estate jewelry debuted at the Bloomingdale’s in Costa Mesa, California.
CrimeDec 22, 2025
Customs Seizes Hundreds of Fake Rolex, Cartier WatchesIn the recent multi-shipment seizure, CBP also found counterfeit Audemars Piguet, Moncler, and Chrome Hearts items.
EditorsDec 22, 2025
How Helzberg Is Reimagining Its StoresHelzberg’s Chief Retail Officer Mitch Maggart shared details about its tests of a new store concept rooted in an elevated luxury experience.
Recorded WebinarsDec 22, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: Looking Back on an Eventful Year Jewelers of America execs and National Jeweler editors discuss tariffs, the sky-high gold price, and the engagement that broke the internet.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
