The Seven Most Expensive JAR Jewelry Pieces
Discover the seven most expensive JAR jewelry pieces, showcasing Joel Arthur Rosenthal’s unmatched artistry, avant-garde vision, and commitment to creating one-of-a-kind jewels.
Brief Background of JAR Jewelry
Joel Arthur Rosenthal, universally known as JAR, stands among the most elusive, revered, and influential jewelers of the 20th and 21st centuries. Born in New York and based in Paris, Rosenthal founded JAR in 1978 alongside his partner Pierre Jeannet. Working from a discreet Place Vendôme salon with no public storefront, Rosenthal has spent more than four decades producing jewels entirely on his own terms: low-volume, bespoke, imaginative, and uncompromisingly crafted.
JAR pieces are almost exclusively one-of-one creations, conceived with sculptural precision and executed with a painter’s sense of color. Rosenthal is renowned for his daring combinations of gemstones, masterful pavé work, and a distinctive use of patinated metals that blur the line between jewelry and fine art. Unlike major maisons that produce thousands of pieces annually, JAR creates only a few dozen each year—each a singular expression of vision, narrative, and craft.
As collectors increasingly recognize jewelry as a form of wearable sculpture, JAR’s works have achieved a near-mythic status at auction. Below, we explore seven of the most expensive JAR jewelry pieces sold at Sotheby’s since 2023.
Most Expensive JAR Jewelry Pieces
| Rank | Piece | Notable Features | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exceptional Emerald & Diamond Ring (2025) | 8.62-carat Classic Colombian emerald; platinum mounting; signed JAR Paris | $1,608,000 |
| 2 | Fancy Intense Yellowish Green Diamond Ring (2024) | 2.47-carat Fancy Intense Yellowish Green diamond; aristocratic 19th-century provenance | $745,000 |
| 3 | Diamond Ring, 10.03 Carats (2023) | 10.03-carat D color, VVS2 Type IIa diamond; JAR case; French platinum assay | $705,000 |
| 4 | Colour-Change Sapphire Bracelet (2023) | 91.70-carat unheated Ceylon sapphire; platinum setting; signed JAR | $705,000 |
| 5 | Sapphire & Diamond Pendant-Brooch “Moghul” (2022) | 14.77-carat unheated Ceylon sapphire; amethyst and diamond accents; seed-pearl tassel | $650,000 |
| 6 | Sapphire, Tsavorite & Diamond Earclips (2025) | Pavé-set sapphires and tsavorites; one principal sapphire and diamond; signed JAR | $446,000 |
| 7 | Sapphire, Garnet & Diamond Clip-Brooch (2023) | Botanical design with multicolor sapphires, garnets & diamonds; signed JAR Paris | $444,500 |
1. Exceptional Emerald and Diamond Ring, 1,608,000 USD
The most expensive JAR jewel sold at Sotheby’s to date, this Exceptional Emerald and Diamond Ring achieved 1,608,000 USD in June 2025—an extraordinary result that reflects both the rarity of its materials and the unmatched artistry for which JAR is known. At its center sits a square emerald-cut emerald weighing 8.62 carats, a richly saturated medium-green stone of Classic Colombian origin with insignificant clarity enhancement, as confirmed by AGL.
The emerald is framed by a pavé halo of single-cut diamonds set into a platinum mounting, signed JAR Paris with French assay and workshop marks. The ring is accompanied by its original signed box and an additional empty platinum-and-gold mounting with two triangular diamonds, underscoring JAR’s emphasis on bespoke presentation and meticulous craftsmanship.
With its exceptional color, clarity, and sculptural geometry, this ring exemplifies Rosenthal’s ability to elevate classical gemstone formats through refined proportions and painterly precision.
2. Rare Fancy Intense Yellowish Green Diamond Ring, 673,100 CHF
This rare Fancy Intense Yellowish Green diamond ring, set with an old mine brilliant-cut diamond weighing 2.47 carats, sold for 673,100 CHF in Geneva in May 2024. Although unsigned, the mounting and presentation case are stamped JAR, and the jewel’s remarkable history elevates it far beyond its already extraordinary gemological qualities.
The central diamond, certified by GIA as natural color and SI2 clarity, belonged to Countess Eliza Branicka (1820–1876), a Polish aristocrat intertwined with some of the most influential families of the Russian and Polish courts. Originally an engagement gift given in Rome in 1843, the diamond carries nearly two centuries of provenance, familial legacy, and European history.
Subsequently mounted by JAR, the ring marries antique romance with Rosenthal’s contemporary sensibility, transforming a storied heirloom into a modern masterpiece.
3. Diamond Ring, 635,000 CHF
From the Collection of Renate Graf, this 10.03-carat diamond ring sold for 635,000 CHF in May 2023. The cushion-shaped diamond—graded D color, VVS2 clarity, and classified as Type IIa—represents one of the purest and most desirable diamond types in existence.
Mounted in platinum and stamped with French assay marks, the ring carries the iconic JAR case, though the ring itself is unsigned, a subtle hallmark of Rosenthal’s preference for discretion. The diamond’s elongated proportions and exceptional optical performance reflect JAR’s intuitive understanding of how to highlight gemstones without overwhelming them, allowing the stone’s natural brilliance to dominate the composition.
4. Impressive Colour-Change Sapphire Bracelet, 635,000 CHF
Another standout from the Renate Graf Collection, this colour-change sapphire bracelet achieved 635,000 CHF in May 2023. The bracelet is claw-set with an extraordinary 91.70-carat cushion-shaped sapphire originating from Ceylon, with no heat treatment—a rarity for a gemstone of such magnitude.
Signed JAR, the bracelet is mounted in platinum with French maker’s and assay marks. The stone is remarkable not only for its size but for its dramatic color-change effect, shifting under varying light sources—an optical phenomenon that JAR uses to create dynamic, ever-changing jewelry experiences.
The minimalistic yet architectural platinum setting allows the sapphire's sheer presence to take center stage, embodying Rosenthal’s philosophy of letting gemstones speak for themselves.
5. Sapphire and Diamond Pendant-Brooch “Moghul”, 630,000 CHF
Inspired by Indian architectural motifs, this sapphire and diamond pendant-brooch, dating to circa 1999, sold for 630,000 CHF in May 2022. Known as the “Moghul” pendant, the piece centers on a 14.77-carat fancy cushion-shaped sapphire of Ceylon origin with no indications of heating, framed by circular-cut amethysts and single-cut diamonds.
The jewel features a seed-pearl tassel capped in diamonds and detachable chains, characteristic of JAR’s love for movement and transformation. Though unsigned, the piece is accompanied by its original JAR Paris case, confirming its provenance and craftsmanship.
With its blend of historic inspiration, vivid color palette, and intricate detailing, this pendant-brooch exemplifies Rosenthal’s ability to reinterpret global design traditions through a contemporary lens.
6. Pair of Sapphire, Tsavorite Garnet & Diamond Earclips, 406,400 CHF
This striking pair of Sapphire, Tsavorite Garnet and Diamond Earclips sold for 406,400 CHF in November 2025. Signed JAR Paris, the earclips feature two principal stones—a sapphire and an old mine-cut diamond—framed by pavé-set sapphires, tsavorite garnets, and single-cut diamonds.
Measuring approximately 60 × 50 mm each, the earclips showcase JAR’s mastery of scale, color balance, and botanical-inspired form. The subtle patina applied to the metal, combined with the painterly gradation of gemstones, creates a sculptural effect reminiscent of Rosenthal’s most celebrated floral works.
7. Sapphire, Garnet & Diamond Clip-Brooch, 444,500 USD
Designed as a posy of pansies and a rosebud, this Sapphire, Garnet and Diamond Clip-Brooch achieved 444,500 USD in April 2023 as part of The Wolf Family Collection: Exceptional Jewels. The brooch is pavé-set with a vibrant mosaic of blue, pink, and violet sapphires; orange and tsavorite garnets; and brown and black diamonds.
Signed JAR Paris, the piece is accompanied by its original JAR box and even the original purchase invoice from June 23, 2004, offering exceptionally complete provenance. With its painterly use of color and sculptural three-dimensionality, the brooch exemplifies the florals for which JAR is best known, embodying wearable art at its highest level.
From Gemstone Masterpieces to Sculptural Jewels
From historically significant diamonds to color-shifting sapphires and intricately composed botanical motifs, JAR’s jewelry represents some of the most collectible, admired, and technically complex work in contemporary jewelry. Each piece is a singular creation—one that bridges art, sculpture, and high jewelry in ways no other contemporary jeweler has achieved.
As collectors continue to seek rarity, craftsmanship, and artistic integrity, JAR’s jewels stand at the pinnacle of modern collecting, with auction results that testify to their enduring and growing global appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions About JAR Jewelry
Why is JAR jewelry so expensive?
JAR jewelry is extraordinarily expensive because each piece is a unique, handcrafted creation produced in extremely limited quantities. Joel Arthur Rosenthal is known for meticulous craftsmanship, painterly gemstone gradation, and sculptural designs that treat jewelry as fine art. With no mass production and no public retail presence, supply is exceptionally low—driving strong demand from collectors and museums. Rare gemstones, technical mastery, and JAR’s cult-like market reputation further elevate prices at auction.
What makes JAR jewelry unique compared to other high-jewelry maisons?
Unlike major houses, JAR produces only a handful of pieces each year, many of which are completely one-of-one. Rosenthal’s distinctive use of patinated metals, precise pavé settings, bold color combinations, and three-dimensional forms sets his work apart. Each jewel is designed as a sculpture, with the wearer in mind, resulting in creations that feel intimate, expressive, and highly individual. His refusal to follow commercial trends and his atelier’s exclusivity reinforce JAR’s singular position in contemporary jewelry.
Is JAR jewelry signed, and how can collectors authenticate a piece?
Many—but not all—JAR pieces are signed “JAR Paris,” yet some are intentionally unsigned as part of Rosenthal’s discreet, artistic philosophy. Authentication typically relies on original JAR cases, provenance records, workshop marks, and comparison with documented examples. Auction houses like Sotheby’s rely on expert vetting and gemological reports to ensure each piece aligns with JAR’s known materials, construction techniques, and stylistic DNA.
Which types of gemstones does JAR use most frequently?
JAR is renowned for his imaginative use of gemstones, often celebrating unconventional combinations. He frequently employs sapphires, garnets, diamonds, spinels, and colored stones in richly layered pavé compositions. JAR is also drawn to exceptional single stones—such as large unheated sapphires or rare fancy-color diamonds—integrating them into sculptural designs that highlight their natural beauty. Color is central to his work, and gemstones are chosen as much for their hue and emotional impact as their rarity.
Are JAR pieces considered collectible?
Yes. JAR jewelry is among the most collectible contemporary jewelry in the world. Because production is extremely limited, and many pieces remain in private hands, auction appearances are rare—and often headline events. Prices have risen steadily over the last decade, and many JAR jewels are now held in museum collections, including the Met’s landmark 2013 exhibition dedicated solely to his work. Collectors prize JAR for artistic significance, technical innovation, and long-term desirability.
Buy and Sell JAR Jewelry with Sotheby's
Whether you're a seasoned collector or new to the world of fine jewelry, Sotheby’s offers a trusted, seamless way to buy and sell JAR jewelry on the secondary market.
Why Choose Sotheby’s?
- Expertly Vetted Selection: Explore rare and iconic jewelry designs, from botanical brooches to colored gemstones valued over $200,000.
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