CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
AuctionsMar 15, 2021
19 Hemmerle Pieces From a Private Collection Head to Auction
It will be the largest single-owner collection of the German brand’s jewels to appear at auction, Sotheby’s said.
Sotheby’s New York will have 19 Hemmerle jewels from one collection up on the block next month, which it said is the brand’s largest private collection to appear at auction.
New York—Hemmerle lovers are in for a treat with one upcoming jewelry auction at Sotheby’s.
The auction house will offer what it says is the largest single-owner collection of the German brand’s jewels to appear at auction next month.
Nineteen Hemmerle jewels will appear in “A Vision: Property from the Collection of Michelle Smith” at Sotheby’s New York.
This is seven more than were featured at a 2019 Sotheby’s auction—at the time the largest private collection to go up for sale—where all but one lot exceeded its pre-sale estimate and some went for five times those amounts.
Next month, the jewels will be at the center of the Sotheby’s New York auction comprising 400 lots across two auctions—20th and 21st century design, fine art, jewelry, and handbags from the collection of the late philanthropist and art patron Michelle Smith.
The auction house will offer what it says is the largest single-owner collection of the German brand’s jewels to appear at auction next month.
Nineteen Hemmerle jewels will appear in “A Vision: Property from the Collection of Michelle Smith” at Sotheby’s New York.
This is seven more than were featured at a 2019 Sotheby’s auction—at the time the largest private collection to go up for sale—where all but one lot exceeded its pre-sale estimate and some went for five times those amounts.
Next month, the jewels will be at the center of the Sotheby’s New York auction comprising 400 lots across two auctions—20th and 21st century design, fine art, jewelry, and handbags from the collection of the late philanthropist and art patron Michelle Smith.
A Hemmerle peridot, tourmaline, brass and wood cuff bracelet ($40,000-$60,000)
A Hemmerle bronze and sea urchin necklace ($15,000-$25,000)
Hemmerle diamond and copper stud earrings ($100,000-$150,000)
She was the daughter of the late renowned businessman, real estate developer, and philanthropist Robert Smith—who developed large parts of the Crystal City outside of Washington, D.C.—and artist Clarice Smith.
She served as vice president of product design and development for Charles E. Smith Residential Realty and its successor, Archstone-Smith, becoming one of D.C.’s most respected figures, known for her exacting eye, kindness, and championing of various organizations and educational institutions.
Among those she supported are the Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies, the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian Institute, the Aspen Institute, the New York Historical Society, and many others.
Smith died in September.
The Hemmerle pieces in her collection that are heading to auction were gathered over the course of decades, offering a look at the brand’s distinct style, using innovative combinations of colors, textures, and stones.
Highlights include a pair of diamond and copper stud earrings, a bronze and sea urchin necklace, and a peridot, tourmaline, brass, and wood cuff bracelet.
Smith’s jewelry collection also features several pieces from iconic jewelry houses, including a “Ludo Hexagone” bracelet ($60,000-$80,000) and a “Chevalerie” demi-parure ($40,000-$60,000) from Van Cleef & Arpels, and a selection of diamonds and pearls from Graff.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The Hemmerle collection will be part of the live auction on April 22 at Sotheby’s New York, alongside a selection of Smith’s artwork.
An online sale of jewelry, design and Hermes handbags will complement the live component, running from April 16-27.
Lots will travel to Sotheby’s Paris from March 11-15 before returning to New York for exhibition at Sotheby’s York Ave galleries starting April 16.
An online sale of jewelry, design and Hermes handbags will complement the live component, running from April 16-27.
Lots will travel to Sotheby’s Paris from March 11-15 before returning to New York for exhibition at Sotheby’s York Ave galleries starting April 16.
More on Auctions
The Latest
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
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.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 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.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
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.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program Certifies First Advanced Apprentice GraduateThe graduate, Grace Barden, credited the program with helping her secure a job as a bench jeweler.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
Jewelers of Louisiana to Host 80th ConventionThe event, scheduled for next month in New Orleans, will include dinner, a custom jewelry design contest, and education sessions.
SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in BotswanaThe yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
IndependentsJul 15, 2026
New Jersey Jeweler Barry Berman Dies at 81The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.
FinancialsJul 15, 2026
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Jump 18%, Declines to Comment on Sale Report The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
CollectionsJul 15, 2026
Pomellato’s New High Jewelry Is LiberatingBold color, expressive gem-setting, and sculptural form define the three chapters that make up “Stile Libero.”
IndependentsJul 14, 2026
Foundrae Opens First Standalone Store Outside USThe New York-based jewelry brand has expanded overseas, opening a store in London’s Mayfair district.
ColumnistsJul 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: What Today’s Jewelry Consumer Is Telling Us Rising revenue does not automatically mean a healthy business, particularly in the current economic landscape, Smith writes.
TrendsJul 14, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Shoulder Dusters These long, fluid drop earrings are sure to catch the eye.
CrimeJul 14, 2026
Man Charged in $1M Jewelry Store Heist Lands on FBI Most Wanted ListAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged with robbing a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and is the only one still at large.
Events & AwardsJul 14, 2026
Conference on Mining, Sustainability Kicks Off in NYCInitiatives in Art and Culture is hosting its 16th annual Gold and Diamond Conference, with the theme of “Resilience.”
Lab-GrownJul 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Changes Her Mind on Lab-Grown DiamondsThe designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.
SourcingJul 13, 2026
De Beers Announces Potential Layoffs, 2-Year Production Pause at VenetiaThe diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
Registration Opens for JIS Fall 2026 ShowThe annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026AGTA also has announced the lineup of judges for the colored gemstone cutting and jewelry design contest’s various categories.
TechnologyJul 10, 2026
There’s a New Blind Box for Luxury Watches Collectibles platform Arena Club’s new Time Boxes could contain a Rolex or Patek Philippe watch.
TrendsJul 10, 2026
Jade Trau Creates a Constellation of DiamondsThe “Constellation Plié” collar, our Piece of the Week, features diamonds arranged in a constellation of shining stars.
