SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRFThe National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.
AuctionsSep 23, 2016
Bulgari Flag Ring Goes For $319K at Reagan Auction
The ring, which was only expected to sell for $8,000, was the top lot at the Christie’s New York auction of The Private Collection of President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan.
This Bulgari ring, set with square-cut sapphires, rubies and diamonds in an American flag motif, knocked its pre-sale high estimate of $8,000 out of the park when it garnered $319,500 at Christie’s this week. Nancy Reagan wore it on July 4, 1986, on board the USS Iowa for Liberty Weekend, celebrating the restoration and centenary of the Statue of Liberty.
New York--Very appropriately, a Bulgari ring with an American flag motif finished as the top lot in an auction featured during Christie’s New York’s “Americana Week” series.
The ring, set with square-cut sapphires, rubies and diamonds laid out in the shape of an American flag, was only expected to sell for up to $8,000, but blew away the pre-sale estimate when it garnered $319,500.
The ring was part of the live sale of The Private Collection of President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan held Wednesday and Thursday.
The top lot of the jewelry portion of the live sale was predicted to be a Van Cleef & Arpels suite--a diamond and gold lion pendant-brooch necklace and matching ear clips that the First Lady wore on a state visit to the U.K. in 1988. Those went for $56,250 and $21,250, respectively.
Meanwhile, an 18-karat gold, platinum and diamond Bulgari bracelet, worn by Nancy Reagan at state dinners, and a four-strand cultured pearl necklace with a bezel-set oval onyx cabochon and diamonds in the center both garnered $40,000.
A set of Van Cleef & Arpels rings--two featuring calibré-cut sapphires and one solid 18-karat gold--sold for $16,250.
The matching Van Cleef lion pendant-brooch necklace with 18-karat gold and diamonds, worn on the same occasion, went for $56,250.
This cabochon black star sapphire and diamond brooch in platinum sold for $20,000.
This 18-karat gold, platinum and diamond Bulgari bracelet, worn by Nancy Reagan at state dinners, was only expected to sell for between $5,000 and $7,000, but garnered $40,000.
This necklace from Oscar Heyman & Brothers circa 1976 features a circular-cut diamond, calibré-cut sapphire and ruby “76” in platinum and 18-karat gold, hanging from an 18-karat gold chain. It realized a price of $23,750.
A four-strand cultured pearl necklace centered on a bezel-set oval onyx cabochon, within a 14-karat gold and circular-cut diamond surround, went for $40,000.
This Van Cleef & Arpels set--featuring two calibré-cut sapphire bands, one in 18-karat gold and one in 14-karat gold, and an 18-karat gold band--sold for $16,250.
These earrings worn by Nancy Reagan during a visit with Margaret Thatcher in 1988 were designed as an 18-karat gold lion’s head with circular-cut diamond eyes and a suspended textured gold hoop. They sold for $21,250.
Christie’s sales of the Reagan’s possessions also encompassed furniture, decorative works of art, books, memorabilia, paintings, drawings and prints from their home in Los Angeles, with total sales between the two days realizing more than $5.7 million.
The auction also has an online component, which has 261 lots including items they used to entertain, photographs and books, as well as more jewelry. That runs through Sept. 28.
Proceeds from the sales benefit The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, a nonprofit, non-partisan organization created by Reagan that maintains the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, the Reagan Center for Public Affairs, the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Presidential Learning Center and its Discovery Center, and the Air Force One Pavilion.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With MagicThe 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in MilanThe multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.
Weekly QuizApr 03, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on TariffsThe virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a ZooThe pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For NowParent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C. Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client WorkshopThe educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in FloridaThe debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
