MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
AuctionsAug 20, 2020
Two Senior Jewelry Executives Step Down at Sotheby’s
David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti have presided over important and historical jewelry auctions and written books together during their tenure.
David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti have left Sotheby’s after four decades of working on its jewelry auctions. (Images courtesy of Sotheby’s)
New York—Two leaders of Sotheby’s jewelry department have stepped down.
David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti have departed after four decades with the auction house.
Bennett, its chief auctioneer and worldwide jewelry chairman, retired this summer after 42 years.
Gary Schuler, former jewelry chairman for the Americas, will step in as worldwide chairman for the jewelry division, Sotheby’s told Rapaport.
“While David has officially decided to retire, he assures us his interest in jewelry will never wane, so he will almost certainly remain a presence in our world,” a Sotheby’s spokesperson said in a statement to National Jeweler.
Bennett was appointed to the newly created role of worldwide chairman of Sotheby’s international jewelry division in 2015 but has been at the auction block since 1978, overseeing several record-breaking sales.
Dubbed the “100-Carat Man,” he has presided over the sales of seven 100-carat diamonds during his tenure.
At a recent auction of royal jewels from the Bourbon-Parma family, he oversaw a sale that set a record for royal and antique jewels at $53.1 million and for a natural pearl at $36.2 million.
He was also auctioneering at the sale of three of the five most expensive jewels in auction history, according to his Sotheby’s biography, including the CTF Pink Star, a 59.60-carat fancy vivid pink internally flawless diamond, and the Blue Moon of Josephine, a 12.03-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
Bennett was at the helm when a world record was set for jewelry sales in May 2016, garnering $175.1 million for Sotheby’s sale of Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels in Geneva.
RELATED CONTENT: Up, Up, and Away: The Rise in Natural Colored Diamond PricesThe record price for a ruby and for a ruby per carat with the $30.3 million sale of 25.59-carat “Sunrise Ruby,” and the record for a jewel by Cartier, were also set under Bennett.
Bennett has built a reputation as a trusted source in precious stones and jewelry.
Art + Auction named him one of the top 10 most powerful people in the art world in a December 2013 issue. He was considered one of the top 50 most influential people in Switzerland by magazine Bilan.
He is a co-author of “Celebrating Jewellery” and reference book “Understanding Jewelry,” both written with Daniela Mascetti, Sotheby’s senior director and chairman of jewelry for Europe.
Mascetti will also be retiring after 40 years with the auction house.
She joined the company in 1980, as per her Sotheby’s biography,
opening its jewelry department in Milan.
She is a noted scholar in the history of jewelry, lending her research expertise to the sales of jewelry from the Bourbon-Parma family, including a pendant belonging to Queen Marie Antoinette, the Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor and the collections of Thurn und Taxis, Elton John and Gina Lollobrigida.
In retirement, she will dedicate more time to her scholarly pursuits, a Sotheby’s spokesperson said.
Mascetti graduated with a degree in archaeology from the University of Milan, learning to date, research, and value historical jewels.
She helped research jewelry for the “Castellani & Giuliano: The Judith H. Siegel Collection” in New York, which Sotheby’s described as a “landmark event” that “reinvigorated the interest in and demand for revivalist jewels.”
Mascetti is also the author of “Bulgari, The Necklace from Antiquity to the Present and Earrings from Antiquity to the Present,” alongside jewelry historian Amanda Triossi.
“Having been with us for over 40 years, David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti have decided it’s time for a new chapter,” Sotheby’s said. “We will miss them both and wish them much happiness.”
She is a noted scholar in the history of jewelry, lending her research expertise to the sales of jewelry from the Bourbon-Parma family, including a pendant belonging to Queen Marie Antoinette, the Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor and the collections of Thurn und Taxis, Elton John and Gina Lollobrigida.
In retirement, she will dedicate more time to her scholarly pursuits, a Sotheby’s spokesperson said.
Mascetti graduated with a degree in archaeology from the University of Milan, learning to date, research, and value historical jewels.
She helped research jewelry for the “Castellani & Giuliano: The Judith H. Siegel Collection” in New York, which Sotheby’s described as a “landmark event” that “reinvigorated the interest in and demand for revivalist jewels.”
Mascetti is also the author of “Bulgari, The Necklace from Antiquity to the Present and Earrings from Antiquity to the Present,” alongside jewelry historian Amanda Triossi.
“Having been with us for over 40 years, David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti have decided it’s time for a new chapter,” Sotheby’s said. “We will miss them both and wish them much happiness.”
More on Auctions
The Latest
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
