CollectionsFeb 03, 2023
Chipotle Spices Up Valentine’s Day with Jewelry CollectionThe fast-casual chain partnered with Anna Sheffield’s Bing Bang NYC brand on a capsule collection and it’s a little “extra.”
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
EditorsFeb 03, 2023
Piece of the Week: Gismondi 1754’s ‘Marea’ CuffThe diamond and tanzanite bracelet was inspired by the waves of the Italian gulf near Genoa.
Brought to you by
Bringing Over 130 Years of Diamond Expertise to Modern GradingDe Beers Institute of Diamonds provides the very best in diamond verification, education and diamond services.
CollectionsFeb 02, 2023
Lowe’s Is Now Selling JewelryThe home improvement store’s website features an “Empowerment Tools” demi-fine jewelry collection.
Weekly QuizFeb 02, 2023
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge with this short test.
Events & AwardsFeb 02, 2023
Registration is Now Open for JIS Spring 2023The show will feature a new pavilion of 30 jewelry designers and manufacturers from Surat, India.
Policies & IssuesFeb 02, 2023
Tiny Radioactive Capsule Lost in Australian Outback FoundA government official said search crews “found the needle in the haystack” when they located the capsule belonging to Rio Tinto along an 870-mile stretch of road.
Brought to you by
De Beers Institute of Diamonds Expands to Offer Education De Beers is sharing over 130 years of experience and expertise through the De Beers Institute of Diamonds with a selection of courses.
TrendsFeb 02, 2023
Amanda’s Style File: Purple and Playful Amanda Gizzi welcomes February with a selection of amethyst jewelry, a birthstone that “deserves its own time to shine.”
EditorsFeb 01, 2023
Designers to Watch in 2023: BoochierBehind the playful and nostalgic brand lies deeper meaning.
Events & AwardsFeb 01, 2023
New Miami Jewelry Center Slated to Open in Q1The Time Century Jewelry Center is located in downtown Miami’s jewelry district.
SurveysFeb 01, 2023
Consumer Confidence Falls in JanuaryWariness about the year ahead offset a more positive view of the current economic situation.
MajorsFeb 01, 2023
Six New Retailers Appointed to IJO’s Board of DirectorsThe IJO also welcomed one new vendor member to its 13-member board, Brecken Farnsworth of Parlé Jewelry Designs.
ColumnistsJan 31, 2023
Squirrel Spotting: How About a Word for the New Year?It begins with a “t” and ends with a “c” and is imbued with warmth and positivity, Peter Smith writes.
Policies & IssuesJan 31, 2023
Rio Tinto Issues Apology After Radioactive Capsule Goes Missing The tiny capsule, which is believed to have fallen out of a truck, was lost somewhere along an 870-mile stretch of desert road.
MajorsJan 31, 2023
Indian Jewelry Brand Tanishq Opens First U.S. Store, More on the WayThe jeweler’s expansion plans include 20 to 30 more stores in North America and the Middle East over the next two to three years.
Events & AwardsJan 31, 2023
Gucci Is Getting a Gem AwardThe Italian luxury brand will receive the first Gem Award for High Jewelry Excellence.
MajorsJan 31, 2023
Martin Flyer Names New VP of Business DevelopmentIndustry veteran Kevin Lane has stepped into the role.
MajorsJan 30, 2023
Researchers Uncover Bejeweled ‘Golden Boy’ MummyThe ancient Egyptian teenager was buried 2,300 years ago with 49 amulets to guide him through the afterlife.
SurveysJan 30, 2023
Consumers Embracing Non-Traditional Ways to Mark Valentine’s Day The NRF’s annual survey shows that consumer attitudes about how, or even whether, to celebrate Feb. 14 continue to evolve.
Events & AwardsJan 30, 2023
JA Is Searching for the Next Retail ’20 Under 40’ Nominations are open now through March 24.
MajorsJan 30, 2023
10 Jewelry News Stories You Might Have MissedA column detailing how independent jewelers did last year and the top watch brands of 2022 were among the most-read stories last week.
FinancialsJan 27, 2023
Tiffany & Co. Shines for LVMH in 2022Acquired in 2021, the brand’s high jewelry sales have doubled and its new “Lock” collection was an instant hit.
MajorsJan 27, 2023
Diamond Council of America Appoints Treasurer, Board MemberExecutives from Fred Meyer Jewelers and Riddles Jewelers have filled the roles.
CollectionsJan 27, 2023
Piece of the Week: Heavenly Vices’ Lock NecklaceThe Victorian-inspired design is a functional lock and key.
Supplier BulletinJan 26, 2023
JA New York Spring Brings the Industry TogetherFor over 100 years, JA New York has played an integral role in facilitating the evolution of our industry, while also honoring past traditions.
TrendsJan 26, 2023
At Vicenzaoro, Paola De Luca Gazes Into Jewelry’s FutureThe trend forecaster and her guests explored unconventional jewelry designs, NFTs, AI art, and more during her Trendvision presentation.
