Fellow's Antique & Modern Jewelry Auction, June 12th

Have you ever bid in a jewelry auction, online or in person? There is one coming up this Thursday, June 12th, that caught my eye. The auction house is Fellows & Sons, a family-owned auctioneers based in the old jewelry quarter of Birmingham, UK. They are a bustling house, presenting nearly 100 auctions a year and (lucky for us!) specializing in antique and modern jewelry. They make it easy to bid online via the-salesroom and they present a sensational full-color catalog. You can download the whole shabang on the Antique & Modern Jewelry auction homepage. I've picked out a few of my favorites here:

a ▴ Lot 105 / mid-century 18k gold, coral and diamond dress ring
b ▴ Lot 385 / Victorian garnet cabochon necklace with enamel hand and woven hair reverse
c ▴ Lot 37 / Victorian 18k gold, pearl and diamond ring
d ▴ Lot 472 / Early 20th century 18k gold diamond and enamel flower brooch
e ▴ Lot 9 / Early 20th century silver, 9 ct gold, sapphire and diamond cluster brooch
f ▴ Lot 87 / Pair of 18k gold ear clips
g ▴ Lot 30 / 1970s 18k gold synthetic color change sapphire ring
h ▴ Lot 81 / Early 20th century gold, diamond and gem-set bird brooch
i ▴ Lot 378 / Late 19th century gold amethyst cameo pendant
j ▴ Lot 287 / Late 19th century 15k gold, turquoise and diamond pendant
k ▴ Lot 361 / Mid 19th century 15k gold, diamond and ruby bangle
l ▴ Lot 11 / Mid 20th century novelty oar pendant
m ▴ Lot 318 / cultured five-row bracelet with ruby clasp

As for me, I'm planning to toss my hat in the ring for one lot on Thursday. If I win, I'll be sure to share a victory photo here and on Instagram!
 
Here's a pro tip: Even if you don't plan to bid this week, I encourage you to check out the catalog. Most of us don't have the opportunity to view such variety and quality of jewelry as this in person but a great catalog is a nice consolation prize. Plus, you can learn a lot from reading item descriptions and it is always interesting to review the hammer/realized prices from past auctions.

This post is part of a collaboration with Fellows & Sons

Jadeite at auction

These are just a few of the hundreds of extraordinary pieces showing later this month at Sotheby's "Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite" auction in Hong Kong (all images linked to full listings). Did you know that in addition to the most recognizable apple green, jadeite can be found in a variety of other colors? Lavender, black, yellow, red and even white are highly desirable and rare color variations for the mineral. I had no idea! Jadeite is one of two types of the gemstone jade (the other is called nephrite) and has been found in only about a dozen places worldwide. The most desirable, translucent jadeite specimens are only found in Central America and Burma.

Images courtesy of Sotheby's

At auction

Egyptian revival brooches ca. 1925 || $1,744

Georgian foiled quartz necklace ca. 1820 || $10,256

Victorian tortoise-shell and citrine bangle ca. 1860 || $3,282

Edwardian diamond and emerald lavalier ca. 1905 || $4,923

Early 20th century diamond ring ca.1915  || $9,641

Here are a few beautiful pieces - Georgian through Art Deco - that sold at a Christie's jewelry auction in London early last year. There is another auction coming up on April 20th that everyone is talking about because one of the world's largest pearls - La Regente - is going up on the block. More about that later!

Photos courtesy of Christie's Inc.