Fortuna Fine Jewelry Auction

By Syl Tang

Financial Times

For decades, the only reputable option for watch and jewellery aficionados looking for something vintage or collectable were the big name auction houses such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s, where buyers were assured of authenticity and quality.

But, with global marketing of large auctions leading to record-setting hammer prices, deals have become increasingly difficult for collectors to find, never mind wholesalers hoping to acquire for resale.

Increasingly the answer is smaller, “secret”, boutique houses, those with either highly personalised service, locations outside the big auction cities or those created by former wholesalers.

One such source is Fortuna Auction in New York where last November a Van Cleef & Arpels 1970s “mystery set” ruby ring sold for $36,900. Started just over a year ago by marketing executive Seth Holehouse, his jewellery appraiser wife Anna Lin, and Yoram and Rabin Saidian, two jewellery wholesalers, Fortuna is selling the kinds of pieces one might expect to find at an established auctioneer.

Read the entire story HERE at FT.com

Patricia Field and Fortuna Auction’s co-founder Seth Holehouse (PMc)

By Drew Grant

New York Observer

… Everywhere we looked was gold, rubies, sapphires, and diamonds, diamonds, diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Mauboussin, Tiffany & Co., and David Webb all made appearance in wearable form, as well as several items from Ms. Yarmak’s personal collection. Michele Gerber Klein, Elena Moussa, Mickey Boardman, Cass Almendral, and R. Couri Hay mingled among the champagne and baubles, occasionally trying on an especially transfixing piece before circling its corresponding number in the catalog.

Eventually we found ourselves next to a tall Russian woman as she tried on a large snake bracelet. She turned to us: “Tsss! Tssssst!” She said, pretending to strike us with her gold serpent. “Tssst tssst!”

We looked duly surprised.

“I love these types of toys…but I already have three at home,” she shrugged, handing it back to the small man behind the counter. Next to her, a  socialite and her friend weighed the pros and cons of a particular brooch.

Read the entire story  HERE at Observer.com

ArtInfo.com

Sparkling gems from Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more will be up for sale in Fortuna Auction’s Fine Jewels sale on November 29. A range of antique and contemporary pieces will be available, including cuff links, objets d’art, colored stones, and diamonds. One of the highlights of the sale is a Van Cleef & Arpels “Mystery Set” ruby ring, estimated at $30,000 to $40,000, which has an invisible setting that takes hundreds of hours to craft. Other pieces include a Shreve, Krump & Low 8.94-carat Edwardian diamond engagement ring and a gold, enamel, pearl, ruby, and diamond Indian bangle. Those who won’t be in New York for the sale need not worry – bids will also be taken by phone, absentee, or online.