Auction News
Back on the block: JAR topaz earrings
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!One of the JAR jewels made famous at the 2006 sale of Ellen Barkin’s jewelry is up for grabs again – four years later and in the same showroom, Christie’s announced yesterday. Those who didn’t make the winning bid... »
Abandoned jewels and vintage nature at Doyle New York
What happens to jewelry abandoned in safety deposit boxes? Apparently, some of it ends up at auction. A portion of the 1,000 or so lots going on the block Thursday at Doyle New York come from the Puerto Rico-based Banco Popular. Most of the interesting stuff appears to come from more conventional sources, however, including a... »
In the pink: Fancy pink diamonds bring big prices
Pink diamonds were among the five top sellers at Christie's today. Now that's unusual - in more ways than one - and a real feast for the eyes. »
Flights of fancy: Bakelite bangles
Bakelite jewelry can look a lot like modern resin, but the earliest attempts at plastic didn’t look so plastic. Celluloid was invented, in 1868, with the greenest of intentions – to replace ivory and tortoiseshell. And it had to be hand-carved because it didn’t take a mold well. Bakelite, the first entirely synthetic plastic, came... »
Jade bracelet sells for $266,500 at Christie’s
Carved stone from China inspired mad bidding wars at Christie's this week. An ancient jade bracelet went for thirty times its estimate value and a bejeweled Bodhisattva carved from limestone sold to a new collector for almost a million dollars. »
Antique Chinese hair ornaments at Christie’s
Carved jade and elaborate hair ornaments have been part of Chinese culture since the beginning of civilization - and they weren't just for women. Men wore some of the biggest and flashiest. This week, Christie's has some beautiful examples on the block. »
Snuff bottles on the block at Bonhams
Asian Week is in full swing in New York City. Here's a a taste of what's on view at Bonhams until tomorrow's sale. »
Pink diamond sets auction record
A fabulous five-carat pink diamond sold today at Christie's Hong Kong for $10,776,660, the highest per-carat price ever paid for a diamond. No doubt about it: fancy-colored diamonds are hot - and Hong Kong has become a major market for gemstones. »
Bernie Madoff’s bling sold
Bernie and Ruth Madoff's jewels were auctioned off this weekend. His 17 Rolexes disappointed but Ruth's baubles were snatched up by buyers eagers to help pay off Madoff's victims - or so they said. Best excuse for a spending spree we've had all year. »
Jeweled objets d’art at Christie’s NYC
In the 1930s, Van Cleef & Arpels was commissioned by a Maharajah to create an aquarium for his pet tree frog. “La Maison d’Hortense” was outfitted with a tiny gold ladder for the frog to ascend or descend, according to the weather. The aquarium was later transformed into its present state, a birdcage housing... »