The necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
Olympic Gold Medalist’s Jewels Headed to Auction
Katherine Domyan swam for Hungary in the 1956 Olympics before defecting and seeking asylum in the United States.
New York—The fall jewelry auction season is getting ready to kick off, and Bonhams New York will start with a collection of pieces owned by an Olympic champion.
On Sept. 21, the auction house will offer jewelry from the estate of Katherine Domyan, two-time gold medalist, as part of its Fine Jewelry sale.
Domyan was destined for swimming greatness, it would seem; she was born in Budapest, Hungary, to two-time Olympic champion water polo player Marton Homonnai and Hungarian swimming champion Katalin Szoke.
She competed in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics at the age of 17, winning two gold medals and setting world records in the 100-meter freestyle relay and the 4x100-meter freestyle relay.
She won gold again in the same two events two years later at the 1954 European Aquatics Championships in Turin, Italy.
Domyan and the man who would become her husband, Arpad, also an accomplished athlete, both competed in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia (he played for the Hungarian water polo team.)
That was the same year as the Hungarian Revolution, in which protestors took to the streets to demand freedom from the Soviet Union and a more democratic political system. The Soviets quelled the revolution after just 12 days, according to History.com, leading to thousands of Hungarians being killed and wounded and hundreds of thousands more fleeing the country.
They were granted political asylum in the U.S. in late 1956.
Domyan moved to the United States in 1957 and married Arpad four years later. The two of them would eventually create a successful real estate development company, building office and apartment complexes across the country.
Katherine Domyan was inducted to the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Swimming Hall of Fame also honored her and her three team mates as the relay team of the century.
She died in October 2017 at the age of 82.
Bonhams now will auction off more than 60 pieces of jewelry dating from the
In the fall issue of Bonhams Magazine, author Nicholas Foulkes said the collection “speaks of a unique time in America’s history, a time that took two refugees on a rags-to-riches ride from facing Soviet tanks in war-torn Budapest to presidential inaugurations, fundraising galas, White House dinners, summers on the Côte d’Azur and first nights at the opera—a life that, as Arpad Domyan deftly puts it, ‘involved a lot of black tie.’”
So, not surprisingly, the Domyan collection includes pieces from some of the world’s top jewelry houses.
Highlights include a Van Cleef & Arpels late Art Deco ruby and diamond bracelet; 36 pieces of jewelry from David Webb, including a carved rock crystal chimera bangle and an emerald and diamond necklace; and a number of Harry Winston pieces, including a 23.13-carat emerald-cut diamond ring and an 86.30-carat diamond fringe necklace.
It is estimated the collection will sell for between $2.1 million and $3.2 million in total at the jewelry auction.
The Latest
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.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
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.
For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
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.
The selected nine organizations have outlined their plans for the funds.
The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
The crown introduced a dozen timepieces in Geneva, including a heavy metal version of its deep-sea divers’ watch.
Emmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
Ruser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
The “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff shares the standout moments from the education sessions she attended in Austin last week.
The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
The money will go toward supporting ongoing research and aftercare programs for childhood cancer survivors.
A new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.