WatchesJun 30, 2026
Pokémon Fans Will Want to Catch This New G-Shock WatchThe new watch commemorates Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.
AuctionsMay 13, 2016
Bonhams Auctioning Gerd Dreher Gemstone Carvings
Works of the fourth-generation animal figure carver, including a gem silica chrysocolla and malachite carving of seahorses, will lead the auction house’s Los Angeles sale this month.
This gem silica chrysocolla and malachite carving of seahorses from master carver Gerd Dreher could sell for as much as $30,000 at Bonhams this month.
Los Angeles--Buyers will get a rare chance to own pieces from master gemstone carver Gerd Dreher this month.
The carvings will be featured as part of the Lapidary Works of Art, Gemstones, Minerals and Natural History auction scheduled to take place at Bonhams Los Angeles on May 17.
Dreher’s carvings are among the most sought-after in the lapidary world, Bonhams said, as he creates fewer than 10 carvings per year.
A gem silica chrysocolla carving of seahorses could sell for between $25,000 and $30,000. In addition to the green malachite and milky quartz that are exposed on the reverse side of the carved seahorses, the dorsal fins of the animals are set with 18-karat gold and small cabochon sapphires for the eyes.
Another Dreher piece featured in the sale is a four-color tourmaline carving of a tropical fish on a rock crystal quartz base. The fish measures eight inches across (roughly the size of a small dinner plate), Bonhams said, and has 18-karat gold fins.
It can be removed from the rock crystal quartz backdrop, which is of near-optical quality and reverse intaglio carved to depict a coral.
In addition to Dreher’s works, there will be a number of other significant gems and mineral in the sale.
The top lot of the auction is expected to be an exceptional pair of large non-nacreous orange pearls from the South China Seas. Weighing approximately 30.75 carats (16.01 by 15.96 mm) and 29.85 carats (15.82 by 15.62 mm), they could garner as much as $130,000.
There also will be a large rubellite tourmaline from Mozambique weighing 116.83 carats that is expected to sell for between $100,000 and $120,000.
Click through the slideshow to see the two Dreher pieces as well as some of the top overall lots of the sale.
The base of the “Freesias with Dragonfly” piece by Manfred Wild is a large single crystal of green-black Brazilian tourmaline weighing nearly 800 carats, supporting three sprays of freesias crafted of frosted rock crystal or rose quartz on 18-karat gold stems. The removable dragonfly brooch features pink and Paraiba-type tourmalines and diamonds. The predicted sale price is $55,000 to $75,000.
The tourmaline fish on this Dreher piece measure eight inches across, around the size of a small dinner plate, and is decorated with 18-karat yellow gold fins atop rock crystal. Bonhams expects it to garner between $20,000 and $30,000.
The gem silica chrysocolla used in this piece from Gerd Dreher has “extraordinary translucency and evenness in color,” Bonhams said. It also features malachite and milky quartz as well as 18-karat yellow gold and cabochon sapphires, and could sell for between $25,000 and $30,000.
This gold nugget from Australia weighs 24.5 ounces and has smoothed surfaces, revealing its “water-worn past.” It’s rare for a piece this size to have survived the smelting process, Bonhams said, and could garner as much as $60,000.
This pair of orange non-nacreous pearls from the South China Seas is predicted to sell in the range of $110,000 to $130,000 at Bonhams this month.
This piece from Luis Alberto Quispe Aparicio is made from white kascholong opal from Siberia, which has a porcelain appearance without a play of color, with the feathers and feet of the peacock rendered in gold vermeil. It could sell for up to $60,000.
The “true distinguishing feature” of this 116.83-carat rubellite is its color, Bonhams said--it has a deep, hot reddish pink hue that appears without any evidence of brown modifying colors, as is prevalent with many tourmalines from Africa. It could sell for as much as $120,000.
More on Auctions
The Latest
MajorsJun 30, 2026
Saks Global Emerges From Bankruptcy With New NameThe luxury retailer is now called Exemplar Luxury Group.
CollectionsJun 30, 2026
Jade Ruzzo’s New Collection Embodies the Art of Being a LadyThe “Lady” collection is a new take on old beauty standards with gemstone-adorned hair pins and combs, a compact mirror necklace, and more.
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.
SourcingJun 30, 2026
Blue Nile Introduces Montana Sapphire CollectionThe new line is included in the e-tailer’s curation of jewelry celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingJun 30, 2026
AGS Opens 2026 Recertification ExamAll active members who earned their credential or designation before Dec. 1, 2025, are required to recertify.
CollectionsJun 29, 2026
Briony Raymond’s New Collection Is a ‘Carousel’ of Hard StonesThe new jewelry collection uses a colorful palette of onyx, malachite, tiger’s eye, mother-of-pearl, lapis, turquoise, and coral.
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.
IndependentsJun 29, 2026
Look Inside Lee Michaels’ Revamped Mississippi FlagshipLee Michaels Fine Jewelry is celebrating 30 years in the Ridgeland, Mississippi community.
GradingJun 29, 2026
National Rarities Announces New Gemology ManagerSean Milliner has joined the company.
GradingJun 29, 2026
GIA to Open New London CampusClasses will begin in August at GIA’s new Canary Wharf location.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
