TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
AuctionsFeb 03, 2021
Buyers Went Crazy for Hester Diamond’s Mineral Collection
Every lot was sold at the Sotheby’s auction, with 98 percent topping their highest pre-sale estimates.
This Colombian emerald specimen shattered its pre-sale estimate high of $5,000, selling for $81,900 at Sotheby’s auction of Hester Diamond’s mineral collection.
London—The late Hester Diamond’s eye for collecting works of art was obvious at the recent auction of her mineral specimens, where almost all lots sold for well above what was expected.
Diamond was a prominent New York interior designer and philanthropist (and mother of Beastie Boy “Mike D”).
She got her start at an antiques gallery before she and her first husband, Harold, became enmeshed in the fine art world and built up quite a collection of their own.
After Harold’s death, Hester began to sell of much of the modern art she had collected to focus on the Old Masters, a passion that blossomed with her second husband, Ralph Kaminsky.
She was also interested in minerals, collecting specimens with aesthetics that appealed to her, and interior design.
Her passion for interior design was reflected in the way she displayed everything in her home, contrasting Old Masters with contemporary furniture and displaying her minerals on colorful, custom-made shelves.
Diamond died in January 2020 at the age of 91.
Diamond was a prominent New York interior designer and philanthropist (and mother of Beastie Boy “Mike D”).
She got her start at an antiques gallery before she and her first husband, Harold, became enmeshed in the fine art world and built up quite a collection of their own.
After Harold’s death, Hester began to sell of much of the modern art she had collected to focus on the Old Masters, a passion that blossomed with her second husband, Ralph Kaminsky.
She was also interested in minerals, collecting specimens with aesthetics that appealed to her, and interior design.
Her passion for interior design was reflected in the way she displayed everything in her home, contrasting Old Masters with contemporary furniture and displaying her minerals on colorful, custom-made shelves.
Diamond died in January 2020 at the age of 91.
Hester Diamond showcased her minerals in a way that balanced function and aesthetic.
Last week, her art collection and her mineral collection went up for sale in a single-owner auction at Sotheby’s.
The auction house confirmed to National Jeweler that all 126 minerals featured in “Fearless: The Collection of Hester Diamond Part II” sold.
The mineral collection totaled $1.5 million, more than tripling its highest estimate of $358,450. Sotheby’s said 98 percent of the auction’s lots sold for more than expected.
The top lot was a Colombian emerald specimen from the Coscuez mine in Boyacá (seen at the top of the article).
It was estimated to sell for between $3000 and $5,000, but ended up garnering $81,900 at the auction.
An azurite with malachite from the Bisbee Mine in Arizona, sold for $52,920, compared with a pre-sale high of $12,000; an anhydrite from Mexico garnered $50,400, compared with a $600-$800 pre-sale range; and a rhodochrosite from the storied Sweet Home Mine in Colorado estimated to sell for $8,000-$12,000 ended up going for $44,100.
The anhydrite from Mexico ($50,400)
The azurite with malachite from Arizona ($52,920)
A kyanite specimen from Bahia, Brazil; estimated to sell for $400-$600, it garnered $37,800 at auction.
A complete slice from the Seymchan meteorite in Russia, with olivine. It went for $35,280 (estimate $4,000-$6,000) at auction.
Rhodochrosite from Colorado ($44,100)
This rhodochrosite stalactite slice from the Capillitas Mine in Argentina was predicted to sell for between $4,000 and $6,000. Its final sale price was $40,320.
This tourmaline from Nagar, Afghanistan went for $35,280, topping a pre-sale high estimate of $8,000.
According to a Sotheby’s spokesperson, there was also a “great depth of bidding” throughout the sale, with many lots pursued by multiple bidders.
A pyrite specimen from Spain, for example, had 16 bidders going after it, and 16 were also going for a hemimorphite specimen from China, while 15 chased after quartz from Arkansas.
Visit Sothebys.com to see all results.
A pyrite specimen from Spain, for example, had 16 bidders going after it, and 16 were also going for a hemimorphite specimen from China, while 15 chased after quartz from Arkansas.
Visit Sothebys.com to see all results.
Part 1 of the Hester Diamond auction, which featured a selection of Old Master paintings and sculpture as well as modernist works of art, totaled $26.8 million.
The top lot was a rare sculpture by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and his father, called “Autumn,” which sold for $8.9 million.
The top lot was a rare sculpture by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and his father, called “Autumn,” which sold for $8.9 million.
More on Auctions
The Latest
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
Weekly QuizJun 26, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.
CollectionsJun 26, 2025
Jam Out With Sorellina’s Jimi Hendrix-Inspired JewelsThe “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.
Events & AwardsJun 26, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Is Looking for Speakers for 2026 EventThe event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.
IndependentsJun 25, 2025
Marissa Collections Opens in Nantucket as Legal Fight ContinuesThe Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef JewelryAgents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus PerformersThe designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund RecipientsThe trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.
SourcingJun 25, 2025
2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for EntriesThe organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.
EditorsJun 24, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 2Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local RetailerLori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.
WatchesJun 24, 2025
Citizen’s New ‘Fantastic Four’ Watch Is Literally Super The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.
MajorsJun 24, 2025
Tacori, QVC to Launch Exclusive Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CollectionThe “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.
GradingJun 23, 2025
GIA Names New President and CEO Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.
SourcingJun 23, 2025
Diamond Producers, Organizations to Kick in Money to Promote Natural DiamondsSignatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Celebrate 6 Jewelry DesignersThe winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
