CrimeMay 03, 2024
Second Suspect Arrested in Murder of Colorado JewelerWheat Ridge, Colorado police took a 50-year-old man into custody Wednesday following a two-month search.
AuctionsJan 04, 2019
Christie’s, Sotheby’s Jewelry Sales Down in 2018
Christie’s total dropped 12 percent, while Sotheby’s declined 25 percent compared with 2017.
At Christie’s Geneva’s Magnificent Jewels sale, the 19-carat “Winston Pink Legacy” broke an auction world record for price per carat for a pink diamond when it sold for $50.4 million.
New York—In 2017, Christie’s and Sotheby’s jewelry auction sales earned them more than a combined $1 billion, but in 2018 they missed that mark.
Christie’s has reported $492.3 million in worldwide jewelry auction sales in 2018, down from $556.7 million in 2017, a drop of nearly 12 percent. Sotheby’s total jewelry sales, meanwhile, totaled $414 million in 2018 after hitting $551.3 million in 2017, representing about a 25 percent decline.
Of Christie’s 2018 sales, $484.5 million—or about 98 percent of the total—was garnered at live auction and $7.8 million online (down from $8.9 million in online sales in 2017).
Both auction houses, however, sold some important pieces, with several setting records.
Christie’s largest jewelry sale of the year happened in November in Geneva. A 18.95-carat pink diamond ring dubbed “The Winston Pink Legacy” after its purchase by Harry Winston sold for $50.4 million, or $2.7 million per carat, a record per-carat price for a pink diamond sold at auction.
The Winston Pink Legacy actually topped all of Christie’s 2017 jewelry sales as well.
As that sale demonstrated, color was the theme of the auction house’s top jewelry lots in 2018.
The second largest sale was $20.5 million, or $2.6 million per carat, for an 8.01-carat pear-shaped fancy vivid blue IF diamond necklace by Moussaeieff that sold in Hong Kong in May, followed by the $18.3 million, or $2.3 million per carat, fetched by a Bulgari 8.08-carat cushion-cut fancy vivid blue diamond ring in New York last month.
The No. 4 selling lot for Christie’s last year was “The Peacock Necklace,” pictured above. The necklace features 109.08 carats of Kashmir sapphires and set a world auction record for a Kashmir sapphire necklace, garnering almost $15 million in Hong Kong in November.
The fifth highest-selling piece was a 15.56-carat heart-shaped fancy intense pink diamond pendant necklace that went for $9.5 million, or $612,950 per carat.
Christie’s noted that 2018 marked its 25th consecutive year as the leading global jewelry auction house by sales.
Sotheby’s also facilitated purchases of some extravagant jewels in 2018, but couldn’t match the extraordinary 2017 sale of the “The CTF Pink” (formerly called “The Pink Star), purchased by Chow Tai Fook for $71.2 million.
The auction house did, however, set a record for highest overall sale of royal jewels when it garnered a total of $53.1 million—more than seven times the pre-sale total estimate—for its “Royal
Jewels from the Bourbon-Parma Family” auction.
The white-glove sale, in which 90 percent of lots sold above their high estimates, surpassed the total of $50.3 million that the Duchess of Windsor’s jewelry garnered in 1987.
The highlight of the Bourbon-Parma auction was a natural pearl and diamond pendant from Marie Antoinette’s personal collection (seen above), which earned $36.2 million, setting a record for a natural pearl.
And just as they did at Christie’s, colorful stones also made an impact for Sotheby’s in 2018, most notably the Ai Diamond, a 5-carat fancy vivid blue diamond ring that garnered $13.8 million in Hong Kong in early October.
Though jewelry was down for Sotheby’s in 2018, the auction house did note that watch sales were up 60 percent year-over-year, totaling $88.5 million.
More on Auctions
The Latest
CollectionsMay 03, 2024
A Sneak Peek Into PGI’s Couture Platinum Spotlight ProgramPGI partnered with four new and seven returning designers for its annual platinum capsule collection.
MajorsMay 03, 2024
Kristie Nicolosi Joins WJA Board AgainNicolosi, president and CEO of The Kingswood Company, previously sat on WJA’s board from 2011 to 2018.
Brought to you by
Rio’s Reimagined Podcast: For the Love of JewelersMeet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
CollectionsMay 03, 2024
Piece of the Week: A “Bit of LUV” for the DerbyKarina Brez’s race-ready piece is a sophisticated nod to the horse-rider relationship.
Weekly QuizMay 02, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
CrimeMay 02, 2024
4 Indicted in Burglary Ring Targeting Indian, South Asian FamiliesThe men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
CollectionsMay 02, 2024
Foundrae Launches ‘Horizon’ Collection“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry RetailWith Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
FinancialsMay 02, 2024
Pandora Raises Guidance After Strong Q1The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
IndependentsMay 02, 2024
Oklahoma Jeweler Glenn Lewis Dies at 68The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.
SurveysMay 01, 2024
Consumer Confidence Falls in AprilConcerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
TrendsMay 01, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: All Eyes on EmeraldsMay’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
SourcingMay 01, 2024
Opsydia Names New Sales and Marketing Director Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
CrimeMay 01, 2024
Grand Jury to Hear Case Against Jeweler Charged in Fatal Shove Following IJO ShowLast month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
CollectionsApr 30, 2024
12 Otherworldly Pieces From Tiffany & Co.’s 2024 Blue BookThe “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
MajorsApr 30, 2024
Zales Celebrates 100 Years With New CampaignThe brand also created a 100-carat lab-grown diamond necklace in honor of its centennial.
MajorsApr 30, 2024
Platinum Guild International Appoints New CEOTim Schlick has been promoted from his previous position as COO.
Events & AwardsApr 30, 2024
Canadian Jewellers Association Brings Back the Summit It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Recorded WebinarsApr 29, 2024
Watch: Diamond Identification and Evaluation - How to Protect your BusinessSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingApr 29, 2024
De Beers to Move Auction HQ from Singapore to BotswanaSales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
CollectionsApr 29, 2024
Simone I. Smith Mixes Denim and Diamonds in New Collection“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
IndependentsApr 29, 2024
Venus Jewelers Relocating After 45 YearsThe retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
SurveysApr 29, 2024
Mother’s Day Jewelry Spending to Reach $7B, Says NRFGifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
CollectionsApr 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Jacquie Aiche’s Starry Galaxy NecklaceThe necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
Events & AwardsApr 26, 2024
AGS Conclave and GIA Symposium Are ConvergingThe two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
SourcingApr 26, 2024
Anglo American Reportedly Shopping De Beers as BHP Eyes Anglo Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
