Jewelry

S otheby’s presents the world’s most extraordinary jewels to collectors seeking iconic designs and exceptional craftsmanship from the 19th century to today. Our jewelry auctions regularly feature rare and important creations by Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, Harry Winston, JAR, Graff, David Webb, Verdura, Boucheron, Chaumet, Suzanne Belperron, Boivin, Alexandre Reza, and other renowned maisons. The selection includes top‑quality white and colored diamonds, rare colored gemstones, and natural pearls, with many fresh‑to‑market jewels from distinguished private collections. Among the most historic examples offered is Queen Marie Antoinette’s pearl, sold in Geneva for $36.2 million—setting the world auction record for a natural pearl.

Sotheby’s continues to lead the global jewelry auction market, achieving $270 million in total jewelry sales in 2024, with major results across New York and Geneva. The Magnificent Jewels auction in New York realized $30 million, highlighted by an Art Deco Van Cleef & Arpels diamond “tie” necklace from 1929 that sold for $3.6 million—triple its estimate after competitive bidding. Rare diamonds remained especially strong, including a 53.04‑carat D‑color Internally Flawless diamond that sold for $3.48 million, and a Graff diamond ring of 21.54 carats that achieved $1.44 million.

Sotheby’s has sold four of the five most valuable jewels ever offered at auction, led by the CTF Pink Star, a 59.60‑carat oval Fancy Vivid Pink Internally Flawless diamond that achieved $71.2 million in Hong Kong—the world record price for any diamond or jewel. Our landmark sale of Royal Jewels from the Bourbon Parma Family in 2018 achieved $53.1 million with a 100% sell‑through rate, reinforcing our reputation for representing the world’s most significant private collections.

Our international team of jewelry specialists brings exceptional expertise and a deep understanding that jewelry is one of the most personal decorative arts, often reflecting the lives of remarkable women who once owned them. Sotheby’s has been entrusted with jewels from celebrated figures including the Duchess of Windsor, Brooke Astor, Ava Gardner, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, Maria Callas, Lily Marinho, and Gina Lollobrigida, among many others.

Sotheby’s hosts live and online jewelry auctions throughout the year in New York, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Milan, offering collectors global access to exceptional jewels across every style and era. Ahead of our forthcoming sales, we are pleased to offer free and confidential jewelry valuations to clients considering selling or learning more about the current market.