It is located in Marin County, California.
Rare gray pearl necklace to lead Sotheby’s auction
The auction house will put the Cowdray pearl necklace, a rare gray pearl necklace with historical provenance, up for sale in October in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong--A single-strand of natural gray pearls with historical provenance could fetch up to $7 million when it goes up on the auction block in October.
The Cowdray pearl necklace, strung and mounted by Cartier, features 42 extremely rare natural gray saltwater pearls that are “well matched” in luster, shape and size, Sotheby’s said, noting that it could be the most important single strand of gray natural pearls ever to appear at auction. The color of the pearls varies subtly in different shades of gray and brown, combined in part with rose, purple and green overtones.
The strand, which and first appeared at auction at Sotheby’s London in 1937, belonged to English noble Viscountess Cowdray Lady Pearson, a connoisseur and collector who lived from 1860 to 1932.
It is accompanied by a pair of natural gray pearl earrings with mounts by Cartier London.
Sotheby’s upcoming Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite fall sale is scheduled to take place on Oct. 7 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The auction house will put the Cowdray pearls on display in Singapore, Taipei, New York, London, Geneva and the Middle East prior to the Hong Kong auction.
Sotheby’s believes a buyer will pay between $4.5 and $7 million for the strand, not an unreasonable estimate at a time when the price of natural pearls at auction continues to rise.
Arguably the most famous and celebrated single strand of natural pearls, according to Sotheby’s, is the Kelly and Calvin Klein pearl necklace. It was gifted by Queen Mary to King Edward, who later became the Duke of Windsor and gave it to the Duchess of Windsor to add to her personal collection. It was first sold in Geneva in 1987 and again at Sotheby’s New York in 2007 for $3.6 million.
A more recent example of gray pearls at auction is the Wrightsman pearl brooch featuring one fine single gray pearl from the collection of American philanthropist Mrs. Charles Wrightsman. It sold at Sotheby’s New York in December 2012 for $1.9 million, setting a world record for a single natural gray pearl at auction.
The Latest
Concerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
May’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
Meet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
The brand also created a 100-carat lab-grown diamond necklace in honor of its centennial.
Tim Schlick has been promoted from his previous position as COO.
It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
Sales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
The retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
Gifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
The necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
The two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
The three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
A double-digit drop in the number of in-store crimes was offset by a jump in off-premises attacks, JSA’s 2023 crime report shows.
Inspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.