MajorsJun 09, 2025
RDI Diamonds Partners With LavalierThe diamond wholesaler is working with the insurance provider to seamlessly offer personal jewelry insurance to RDI retailers’ clients.
AuctionsDec 13, 2018
This Ring Belonging to a Klimt Muse Just Sold at Auction
The diamond “toi et moi” ring was owned by the husband of Adele Bloch-Bauer, better known as “The Woman in Gold.”
This diamond and colored diamond “toi et moi” ring was owned by the Bloch-Bauer family for a century before appearing at auction at Sotheby’s London this week.
London—The worlds of fine art and jewelry merged at Sotheby’s London Fine Jewels sale this week.
Headlining the jewelry auction was a “toi et moi” ring from the Art Nouveau period originally belonging to Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer and believed to have been worn by his wife, Adele, the subject of famed painter Gustav Klimt’s “The Woman in Gold.”
wn diamond and a 1.85-carat round near-colorless diamond, the ring was estimated to sell for approximately $6,322 to $8,850, but smashed those figures, garnering $55,318.
Of the piece’s historical significance, the head of Sotheby’s London jewelry department, Kristian Spofforth, said: “The story of this ring intertwines with that of one of the most iconic paintings in the history of art.
“Klimt immortalized Adele Bloch-Bauer in an armor of gold and jewels, demonstrating the rich dialogue between the disciplines in the Art Nouveau movement. The jewel is a glittering fragment of the opulence of early 20th-century Vienna. The simplicity of its design and its beautiful curved lines also make it a jewel of timeless modernity.”
Headlining the jewelry auction was a “toi et moi” ring from the Art Nouveau period originally belonging to Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer and believed to have been worn by his wife, Adele, the subject of famed painter Gustav Klimt’s “The Woman in Gold.”
wn diamond and a 1.85-carat round near-colorless diamond, the ring was estimated to sell for approximately $6,322 to $8,850, but smashed those figures, garnering $55,318.
Of the piece’s historical significance, the head of Sotheby’s London jewelry department, Kristian Spofforth, said: “The story of this ring intertwines with that of one of the most iconic paintings in the history of art.
“Klimt immortalized Adele Bloch-Bauer in an armor of gold and jewels, demonstrating the rich dialogue between the disciplines in the Art Nouveau movement. The jewel is a glittering fragment of the opulence of early 20th-century Vienna. The simplicity of its design and its beautiful curved lines also make it a jewel of timeless modernity.”
Adele Bloch-Bauer was a society figure and patron of the arts in turn-of-the-century Vienna. She was born into a wealthy Jewish Viennese family in 1881, and in 1899 married industrialist Ferdinand Bloch.
Together, Adele and Ferdinand were key players in the burgeoning capital of art, music, architecture, philosophy and literature, hosting creatives like Stefan Zweig and Arthur Schnitzler at their famed weekly salons.
Adele died of meningitis in 1925, at age 43. Klimt’s painting of her cloaked in gold and jewels (which actually was called “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I”) was stolen by the Nazis, and was one of a handful of works belonging to the Bloch-Bauer family that relatives later successfully fought the Austrian government to return. The family's fight was the subject of a 2015 movie starring Helen Mirren called “Woman in Gold.”
As for the toi et moi ring, Ferdinand eventually gave it to his great-niece Helen Marie Stutzova as a wedding present. She in turn bequeathed it to her daughter, Charlotte Mayer.
The ring’s fascinating history doesn’t end there. It made its way to London in 1939 when Stutzova and Mayer fled to the English capital to escape the Nazis. Mayer became an accomplished sculptor in the United Kingdom and the ring remained in the family until its sale Tuesday to a private bidder.
For more sale results, visit Sotheby’s website.
More on Auctions
The Latest
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
