WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Medal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
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.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
