FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
AuctionsJun 13, 2018
$3.1M Jewelry Auction Caps Record-Breaking Rockefeller Sale
The estate of Peggy and David Rockefeller, which also included art, porcelain and furniture, just became the most expensive private collection sold at auction.
This is the platinum Raymond Yard diamond ring that David Rockefeller used to propose to his wife Peggy in 1940. It sold for $$287,500 at auction Tuesday.
New York--Their family is practically American royalty, and their estate, including a number of jewels, sure sold like they were.
On Tuesday, Christie’s New York auctioned off signed jewelry from the Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller, capping off a series of sales from the estate of the couple that was one of the last links to the Gilded Age.
David Rockefeller was the youngest and last-surviving grandchild of America’s first billionaire, John D. Rockefeller Sr. He died in March 2017 at the age of 101. Peggy died two decades earlier, in 1996.
The couple’s entire estate went up for auction this spring, with proceeds going to philanthropies they supported during their lifetimes, benefitting scientific research, higher education, support for the arts, sustainable economic development, and land conservation initiatives, among others.
There were 19 lots in Tuesday’s Magnificent Jewels sale from the couple, with the most important jewelry pieces from them including Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co., Raymond Yard and Van Cleef & Arpels, among other houses.
All 19 lots sold, with many outperforming their pre-sale estimates. The top lot of the group was a sapphire and diamond ring by Raymond Yard, realizing $372,500.
The jewelry lots also included the platinum Raymond Yard ring with which David proposed to Peggy in 1940. The ring, set with a cut-cornered rectangular step-cut diamond weighing 5.63 carats and epaulet and triangular-cut diamond shoulders, sold for $287,500--more than double its pre-sale estimate high.
All told, the various sales of The Peggy and David Rockefeller Collection resulted in more than $835.1 million in sales, which Christie’s said is the highest total for a private collection at auction.
It spanned a six-month campaign, 10 days of online sales and three days of auctions at Christie’s Rockefeller Center, putting on offer 19th and 20th century art, furniture, porcelain and more.
Also held on Tuesday, concurrent with the Rockefeller auction, was Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale, which was 89 percent sold by volume and 95 percent sold by value.
That portion of the auction was led by a ring set with the 20.47-carat old mine brilliant-cut diamond seen below, which garnered $2.7 million.
The sale also featured an “exceptional” Burmese ruby ring by Tiffany & Co., given by American composer and lyricist Irving Berlin to his wife Ellin for their 40th wedding anniversary, which sold for $1.2 million.
Also featured in the sale were several
other notable private collections--including property from the collection of Steve and Peggy Fossett, the estate of Ruth S. Stanton and property formerly from the collection of Mrs. Douglas Fairbanks Jr.--and lots from top houses like Belperron, Bulgari, Hemmerle, Lalique, Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels.
For a full list of results, visit Christies.com.
For a full list of results, visit Christies.com.
More on Auctions
The Latest
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
