ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
