Jewelry Blogs | FORTUNA®

Types of Fancy Color Diamonds

in Discover / Jewelry

Colored diamonds make headlines. These gemological marvels break records at auction houses and can be found in practically every color.

The chance of a diamond displaying unique color is roughly one in 25,000. While orange, purple, green and red are the rarest, yellows and browns are the most common fancy colors.

What Causes the Different Colors?

Each diamond possesses a unique structure of chemical elements that dictate its color, desirability, value and rarity. Most fancy color diamonds derive their color from impurities such as boron and nitrogen.

Some of the rarest—and most expensive—diamond colors include:

Yellow: Trace amounts of nitrogen cause diamonds to appear yellow, with the color’s intensity depending on how much of the element is present in the gemstone. The stronger and more vivid the hue of yellow, the more valuable the yellow diamond. For more on Fancy Yellow diamonds, click here.

GIA-Certified 16.07-Carat Fancy Yellow Rectangular Brilliant-Cut Diamond Ring, Lot 3001 in Fortuna’s upcoming *December Jewels & Watches* auction.

Pink: The color centers of naturally pink diamonds can selectively absorb light in the visible region of the spectrum. Color centers result from anomalies in a crystal’s atom arrangement; a change in the crystal lattice due to intense heat exposure during the stone’s formation can sometimes cause pink graining. Because the pink color comes from atomic-level distortions to the diamond’s crystal structure, pink diamonds cannot be replicated through laboratory treatment in the same way, making these gemstones all the more spectacular. For more on pink diamonds, click here.

Red: The origin of a red diamond’s color is believed to be the same as that of pink diamonds, but in a more concentrated form. This theory of red diamonds being dark pink diamonds is supported by the fact that red diamonds can be only found in a single color intensity. Red is the rarest diamond color. Less than 30 genuine red diamonds have been found and cut, and they can cost up to $1 million per carat.
Blue: Natural blue diamonds derive their color from the presence of boron. Their hue can also be associated with hydrogen or caused by radiation exposure.
Green: Naturally colored green diamonds are scarce. The displacement of carbon atoms from their normal positions causes these diamonds to develop their signature color. This phenomenon can happen artificially due to treatment by radiation or naturally when diamond deposits lie near radioactive rocks.
Black: Black diamonds have many fractures that yield the stone’s distinct dark hue due to graphitization. Most get their color from large quantities of minute mineral inclusions such as hematite, pyrite or graphite that extend throughout the stone.
Brown: A natural brown diamond develops its color due to parallel brown grain lines arising due to molecular arrangement distortion.

1.01-Carat Fancy Deep Pink Diamond Ring (Lot 2099, *November Jewels & Watches*).

Fancy Green-Blue and Fancy Greenish Blue Diamond Drop Earrings (Lot 2100, *November Jewels & Watches*).

The Rarity of Colored Diamonds

Most diamonds mined throughout the world, even if they contain traces of yellow, are considered colorless. Brown and yellow diamonds make up the majority of colored diamonds available today, with most naturally colored diamonds being lighter in saturation or tone.

A Pair of Heart-Shape Fancy Colored Diamond Ear Studs, in Fancy Deep Yellowish Orange and Fancy Intense Purplish Pink (Lot 2098, *November Jewels & Watches* auction).

Yet the rarity of Fancy Color diamonds cannot be overstated; only one true colored diamond is found for every 10,000 carats mined. And mining diamonds with medium to dark tones is an extremely rare occurrence, a phenomenon that drives its market value higher. Furthermore, when especially large Fancy Color diamonds are found, their value reaches an almost legendary status at market. Tiffany’s famous 128-carat Yellow Diamond is considered to be priceless, as it enjoys an unshared status of being unlike any other diamond in the world.

Bid on a Fancy Colored Diamond of Your Own at FORTUNA®

Ready to start shopping for your own colored diamonds? Savvy buyers rely on the expertise of FORTUNA® when searching for the finest property available, and consignors consistently turn to us to realize the highest prices for their exceptional jewelry.

We have a host of fancy colored diamonds in our December sale, and invite you to register to bid at auction for a chance to purchase one of these captivating pieces.

What Are Opals?

One of the oldest and most colorful gems on record, the opal is a beautiful stone for any skin tone, age and style. The gem comes in a range of colors and looks stunning in many different types of jewelry, though it is a favorite in necklaces and earrings. Found in areas within Australia and Ethiopia, the opal makes for a striking centerpiece with color and intensity that even surpass the beauty of a diamond.

Precious opals are known for their play of color or iridescence, as they can flash many different hues within the same stone.

What Is the Origin of Opals?

Antique Opal and Diamond Brooch, achieved $4,063 at FORTUNA’s 2020 *August Jewels & Watches* auction.

Opals are a combination of silica and water. Their formation process began millions of years ago, when rainwater seeped down into areas of the earth filled with silica-rich sandstone. The water mixed with and carried silica particles with it as it traveled down further into the ground, becoming trapped in cracks and crevices. Eventually, the water evaporated, leaving a silica deposit behind.

As rainwater continued to flow down into these crevices, the deposits gradually built up to form beautiful gems. Australia is the world’s leading source of opals, although Ethiopia is a strong competitor.

Do Opals Mean Anything?

Opals have a range of meanings because they come in a range of colors, shapes and sizes. In Greek mythology, opals were thought to be the result of Zeus’s tears falling to the earth. Other cultures believed the rainbow’s virgin goddess turned herself into an opal to escape suitors’ pursuits. As a result, the gem became associated with offering protection.

The colors of the opal itself have symbolized passion, love and spontaneity. Other ideas of happiness, loyalty and confidence are also attached to these vibrant stones, as is the belief that opal can attract money.

How are Opals Valued?

Some famous pieces of opal jewelry have been sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars. The price is determined by a few factors, with the origin being perhaps one of the most important. Australian opals are highly desired because Australia has been history’s longest opal source, creating a reliable and well-respected reputation for the nation. Ethiopia is still new to the market, making their opals a little more affordable.

Once the origin is confirmed, the class and body tone are the next two determining factors in value. The class identifies whether the opal is entirely authentic or is a doublet or triplet. In the latter, the piece is composed of a slice of genuine opal and one or two pieces of another material to give the opal a darker or more full appearance. Body tone is the background or foundational color of the opal, typically ranging from black to light. The darker the background, the more valuable the opal, as a black background displays refracted light more vividly. Genuine solid black opals are quite rare and can command extremely high prices at market. An example can be seen below in a spectacular ring from our September 2018 Important Jewels auction. The ring, a Louis Comfort Tiffany Art Nouveau design with a stunning black opal, achieved $12,5000 at auction. The strong play-of-color and mystique innate to precious opals made them a very popular choice for jewels during the Art Nouveau era.

Buccellati Black Opal and Enamel Earrings, FORTUNA’s 2021 *July Jewels & Watches*.

Louis Comfort Tiffany Art Nouveau Black Opal Diamond and Enamel Ring, FORTUNA’s 2018 September *Important Jewels*.

Visit FORTUNA® to Buy or Sell Opal Jewelry at Auction

If you are looking for opal jewels that can bring life and joy to your favorite looks or if you have opal jewelry to sell, trust FORTUNA for the best possible quality and deal. We host monthly auctions to showcase some of the most beautiful and collectible watches and jewelry in existence. A team of specialists with decades of experience in the jewelry industry carefully inspects each piece for value and authenticity.

Explore FORTUNA’s calendar for upcoming monthly sales and contact us with any questions. Sign up for our mailing list to keep an eye on our offerings!

Oscar Heyman & Bros.

in Designer Spotlight / Discover / Jewelry

Since its inception in 1912, Oscar Heyman & Brothers has remained unmatched in their stunning design, attention to detail, superb craftsmanship and quality of gemstones.

Now in its third generation, the haute joaillerie house remains devoted to developing exquisite designs that have been synonymous with impeccable taste for over 100 years. Heyman’s unmistakable flair can be spotted from time to time in FORTUNA®’s auction offerings, and they are always a delight.

In 1906, after gaining invaluable experience as apprentices in Faberge’ workshop in Latvia, brothers Oscar and Nathan Heyman, immigrated to New York City. Their skills working with platinum, the newest and most in demand metal in the jewelry industry, were in high demand. In 1912, the brothers were joined by their 4 other brothers and 3 sisters and opened a workshop of their own on Maiden Lane in Lower NYC . The firm quickly established itself as the “jeweler’s jeweler,” designing pieces for large jewelry houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier and Tiffany & Co. In 1939, the firm won a gold medal for Best in Show at the New York World’s Fair for its extraordinary collection of unique floral brooches. Indeed, as innovators of their time, the Heyman brothers also patented various jewelry manufacturing techniques.

Oscar Heyman Orchid Diamond and Ruby Brooch — Oscar Heyman Diamond and Ruby Orchid Brooch. *Achieved $43,750 at auction.*

Heyman’s craftsmen proudly devote their time to each component of the manufacturing process, including the creation of their own tools. Pieces signed by Oscar Heyman are kept under their keen eye from inception to completion—an attention to detail that makes them stand out amongst modern jewelry houses.

“Jewelry should never be a candidate for redesign but should transcend time like a fine painting, never losing its appeal.”
—Oscar Heyman

A prime example of the polished elegance created by the jeweler can be seen in Heyman’s classic “entourage” style. The “entourage” ring, pioneered by Heyman in the 1920’s, features an oval-cut center gemstone surrounded by oval-cut diamonds, and is truly a testament to the brand’s understated elegance.

Oscar Heyman Brothers 3.64-Carat Ruby and Diamond Ring, featuring a more elaborate version of the “entourage” style with extra yellow sapphire accents. *Achieved $8,750 at auction.*

It is this timeless design and unique stylishness that has lead their creations to be so coveted for over a century. The firm’s designs continue to reflect Oscar’s belief that “jewelry should never be a candidate for redesign but should transcend time like a fine painting, never losing its appeal.”

Cartier—Timeless Jeweler and Watchmaker

in Designer Spotlight / Jewelry / Watches

You’ve likely heard of Cartier before—especially their well-known pieces like the Cartier Love bracelet or Tank watch. Cartier is a French-based luxury goods company specializing in jewelry and watchmaking. Here, you’ll learn more about the history of Cartier, as well as how to sell and buy coveted Cartier collectibles.

The History Behind Cartier

Cartier’s origin began with Louis-François Cartier, the founder, born in Paris in 1819. He spent most of his early adulthood as an apprentice under a master watchmaker. In 1847, Cartier bought the store from his apprentice—the beginning of Cartier’s successful journey.

Soon, Cartier’s craft extended from watchmaking into jewelry. He bought what he could afford and made the best pieces he could, strengthening his craft with every piece made. Cartier would sell his pieces and invest the profits into buying bigger and better materials, his work building the Cartier business to new levels.

In the late 1800s, Louis-Francois Cartier’s son, Alfred Cartier, took over the business. Around this time, France’s elites were fleeing from France in the heat of a Socialist revolution. They were looking for any way out, including by selling their finest jewelry and watches at a desperately low price. Alfred bought these pieces, and from there, the Cartier business skyrocketed.

With a century of growth throughout the 1900s, Cartier grew to be a well-known jewelry and watchmaking brand. Although Cartier is no longer family-owned, it’s still widely successful, operating more than 200 stores in 125 countries, including London, New York and Paris.

Some of Cartier’s Most Sought-After Pieces

All of Cartier’s pieces are highly sought after. Collectors enjoy the exclusivity of the brand, seeking both antique and new pieces to add to their collection. Some of the most sought-after Cartier pieces are:

1. Cartier Love Bracelet

Perhaps one of the most well-known Cartier jewelry is the Cartier Love bracelet. Aldo Cipullo, who is the only man allowed to have his signature on a Cartier piece, originally designed the unique bracelet.

The bracelet’s design is relatively simple, but its symbolism makes it so popular. The Cartier Love bracelet doesn’t slip onto the wrist like most bracelets. Rather, it’s fixed onto a wearer’s wrist by two screw heads, requiring a special screwdriver to apply and remove the bracelet. The idea is to give the tool to your lover so only they can access your bracelet.

The Cartier Love bracelet is available online in various styles and sizes, and it’s widely popular with collectors and jewelry enthusiasts alike.

2. Cartier Tank Watch

The Cartier Tank watch’s design, crafted in the early 1900s, is inspired by the tracks of the French war tank Renault FT-17. The defining characteristics of the Tank watch are its rectangular face and bold hour markers. The original Tank Watch used silver metal and black leather. But, since its creation, you can find over 50 different models online currently.

3. Trinity De Cartier Ring

The Trinity collection contains many models of earrings, necklaces and bracelets, but the most sought-after Trinity style is the original ring. The ring has three intertwining pieces representing the three stages of romance—friendship, fidelity and love. To further symbolize those stages, each piece is its own metal, including pink, yellow and white gold.

4. Panthère De Cartier Ring

One of Cartier’s most recognized symbols is the panther. It began its association with the brand in 1914 when Louis-Francois Cartier commissioned an artist to paint a bejeweled lady posing with the wild cat. The piece was called “Dame a la Panthère” and was featured in one of Cartier’s most famous advertising campaigns. Admirers received the panther so well, it solidified the piece into the Cartier brand.

Over the century, you can find the Cartier panther integrated into many of the brand’s works, including the Panthère de Cartier ring. There are currently over 40 models of the panther ring, which you can find in different metals and with various adorned gemstones and unique interpretations.

5. Cartier Juste Un Clou Bracelet

The name of the Juste un Clou bracelet directly translates to “just a nail”—and that’s exactly what it is. The original design is a simple, long golden nail, wrapped to form the shape of a bracelet. The style is minimalist, proving Cartier can make anything beautiful. Now, you can find varying styles, including different metals and gemstone adornments.

How to Buy or Sell Cartier Jewelry and Watches

Are you ready to part from your Cartier jewelry to make room for new pieces in your collection? Or are you a collector looking for antique and new Cartier styles to purchase? Consider selling or buying Cartier jewelry at FORTUNA® — a leading auction house serving sellers and buyers across the globe.

How to Buy Cartier Jewelry

Participate in FORTUNA’s monthly sales by registering with us first. Before the bid date, confirm your identity by providing a photo of your ID, as well as your credit card information for billing purposes. Once registered, you’ll be added to FORTUNA’s book of trusted bidders.

You can bid on Cartier jewelry online by downloading the FORTUNA app or using one of our affiliated third-party sites, Live Auctioneers or Invaluable. Or, you can join FORTUNA in-person in New York City. When bidding in-person, our auctioneers will distribute numbers and paddles, which you will use to place bids on items you want, like Cartier jewelry or watches.

How to Sell Cartier Jewelry

Before your piece goes to auction, contact FORTUNA for a free valuation. We can evaluate your Cartier piece online or in-person via appointment. Our experts will give you a reliable estimate based on a set of criteria, including the item’s:

Aesthetic
Materials
Craftsmanship
Condition
Alterations
Rarity

Once you receive your estimate, we request an in-person valuation. To complete this evaluation, FORTUNA will give you an insured shipping label. Using this label, send us your Cartier piece, which we will keep safe and secure in one of our state-of-the-art vaults. Once at our New York City location, we will give you a low and high auction estimate.

If you agree to sign the consignment agreement — stating everything you need to know about our consignment process — we will prepare your item for auction. After the auction, you’ll receive a settlers agreement outlining how much your piece sold for and what you’ll receive for its selling.

Buy or Sell Cartier Jewelry and Watches With FORTUNA

Do you have any questions about how to sell or buy Cartier pieces? Our experts at FORTUNA would love to answer them for you. Learn more about how our process works by contacting us online or giving us a call at 212-389-9040.

What Are Moonstones?

in Discover / Jewelry

With its soft, mysterious milky glow, the moonstone has been a favorite of jewelry lovers for centuries. But what exactly are moonstones?

Often believed to be a gem, the moonstone is actually a natural crystal mineral variety of the feldspar group. It’s made up of potassium aluminum silicate. The moonstone’s ghostly glow is caused by light moving across the stone — much like moonlight gliding through the clouds on a dark night.

Where Did Moonstones Come About?

Moonstones have been a staple of jewelry collections for ages. Ancient Eastern cultures obsessed over the stone, believing that it was created by literal moonbeams. Moonstones are often still used in Sri Lanka and India for spiritual purposes.

The moonstone has found an important place within modern jewelry as well. In the early 1900s, the stone became a focal point of design — often being used as a small accent stone in Art Nouveau-themed statues and art pieces.

The popularity of the moonstone has ebbed and flowed with style and fashion trends. While the Art Nouveau period produced many famous pieces of moonstone jewelry, it was short-lived and was soon replaced by the Art Deco movement, which emphasized diamonds and gemstones. It wasn’t until the 1960s that the moonstone came back into fashion, popular in rings and necklaces of the counterculture movement. In the 1990s, the moonstone once again became a fashion trend with designers incorporating the stone into the New Age movement of design.

Because of their breathtaking appearance, moonstones will continue to remain popular among jewelry collectors for ages to come.

Tiffany & Co. Antique Moonstone and Sapphire Necklace, achieved $30,000 at FORTUNA® *January Jewels & Watches* auction.

Do Moonstones Mean Anything?

One of the main reasons that moonstones have remained so popular is the perceived meaning behind them. In spiritual traditions such as feng shui, the moon represents divine feminine energy. The moonstone is believed by some to balance hormonal and reproductive issues, as the waxing and waning of the moon is connected to fertility cycles.

Additionally, the moonstone is thought to represent compassion and empathy as well as the creative and intuitive power of feminine energy.

Perhaps best known as one of the birthstones for June, moonstone’s connection to both Roman and Greek lunar deities is believed to harness the power of love, passion and great luck.

Are Moonstones Valuable?

The moonstone’s value is based almost entirely on its appearance. The clearer the stone, the more valuable it will be.

One of the most common reasons for the moonstone to be less valuable is tiny tension cracks inside of the stone. These cracks are known as centipedes, and they interfere with the stone’s adularescence, or unique milky-blue luster.

Prices for moonstones can range anywhere from $10 to over $1000. Clear moonstones that are free of cracks and centipedes will command the highest prices on the market.

Where to Buy and Sell Moonstones

Are you interested in selling or purchasing moonstones? FORTUNA® is a no-risk fine jewelry auction house that allows you to buy and sell fine jewelry in a transparent, regulated method. Explore FORTUNA for upcoming monthly sales today!

Pretty in Pink Diamonds

in Discover / Jewelry

Pink diamonds are among the rarest fancy color diamonds. Even the famed Argyle mine in Australia, known for producing over 80% of the world’s pink diamonds, finds them only amongst less than 1% of its stock. The value of diamonds like these is expected to skyrocket after the closure of this mine in 2020. In fact, according to the Fancy Color Research Foundation (FCRF), the value of pink diamonds already rose 116 percent between 2010 and 2020. This rise is greater than that of any other diamond, including the extremely rare blue diamond—making pink diamonds a great investment, as well as a wonderful engagement ring.

Now that the Argyle mine has shut, where else can high-quality pink diamonds be sourced? The stones can also be found in Russia, Tanzania, South Africa, and occasionally Brazil. Yet, there is no reported regular production from any mine. Pink diamonds are also graded for the intensity of the color, which follows an internationally recognized scale of: faint, very light, light, fancy light, fancy, fancy intense, fancy deep, and fancy vivid. And like other diamonds, the stronger the color, the higher the price tag. The price per carat of a natural fancy pink diamond can range anywhere between $100,000 per carat to over $1,000,000 per carat.

“I believe in pink.”
Audrey Hepburn

5.43-Carat Fancy Intense Orangy Pink Marquise Diamond Ring, offered in FORTUNA®’s upcoming *November Jewels & Watches* auction.

Pink diamonds aren’t only special because of their rarity. Part of the allure of pink diamonds is their mystery. To this day, gemologists aren’t entirely sure how the pink diamond obtains its color. Unlike other Fancy Color Diamonds, the pink shade is not caused from chemical impurities that cause some diamonds to appear blue or yellow. Some suspect that the enormous pressure undergone by pink diamonds during formation is a likely cause, though others believe it could be related to a seismic shock that impacted the stone’s molecular structure. As a result, the color and hue of lab-grown pink diamonds cannot be replicated to appear even close to that of a true natural pink diamond.

Pink diamonds became the talk of the town and rose in demand after the engagement of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck in 2002. The star popped the question with an eye-popping fancy pink diamond ring by Harry Winston. The recent rekindling of romance between the two stars has sparked much speculation over whether the return of “Bennifer” would also mean the return of her pink diamond ring. The pink diamond engagement ring craze even spread to other celebrity couples, such as Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, Victoria and David Beckham, and Margot Robbie and Tom Ackerley.

Throughout the eighteenth century, pink was the most fashionable color for both gentlemen and ladies. By the nineteenth century, color was feminized, as Euro-American men adopted black suits. In the 1940’s, pink began to be used to as a gender signifier in babies, a result of clever marketing to sell more baby clothes. Since then, pink has seen huge transformations. From its association with Barbie and femininity, it has now become a powerful, at times, even “punk” color—or so says Dr. Valerie Steele, director of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.

“Pink is the only true rock and roll color.”
Paul Simonon, bass guitarist for The Clash

This 5.43-Carat Fancy Intense Orangy Pink Marquise will be offered this November for an estimated $420,000–$460,000.

While the origin of a pink diamond’s color is still heavily debated by geologists, the color pink has captured people for centuries, inspiring such devotion and iconic phrases as “la vie en rose” and “I believe in pink.” In popular culture, pink has been used to depict an array of moods, from the fun-loving attitude of Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde” to Elvis Presley’s cool pink Cadillac. In Audrey Hepburn’s film, “Funny Face,” women were encouraged to do away with the dull beige and black of everyday life and “Think Pink!”. The color is truly electric and appropriate for all occasions. So whether your style is more “Pretty in Pink” or “Punk Pink,” a pink diamond engagement ring is sure to inspire equal feelings of love, romance, and fortitude in all who wear it.

Rare Muzo Emerald from a Spanish Shipwreck Comes to Auction

in Discover / Jewelry / Media

Imagine seeing hundreds of sparkling green emeralds floating down through the water toward you like raindrops. That is how one former graduate archaeology student, Cris Gober, described his work uncovering ancient treasure. The emeralds were part of the precious cargo from a sunken shipwreck, and they were being sucked up from the seabed by an airlift. The emeralds had spent over 300 years at the bottom of the ocean. FORTUNA® is proud to have had one such rare 9.47-Carat Fine Colombian Muzo Emerald from the Nuestra Señora de Atocha and Diamond Ring in the recent May Jewels and Watches auction.

9.47-Carat Fine Colombian Muzo Emerald from the *Nuestra Señora de Atocha* and Diamond Ring, an exciting lot from FORTUNA’s *May Jewels & Watches* auction

In March of 1622, the Nuestra Señora de Atocha left Spain on a four-month journey across the Atlantic to Cartagena, Colombia. It was there that the sizable Spanish galleon retrieved over 71 pounds of emeralds from its South American colonies. They would take their bounty to Panama City, Florida, where it took two months just to record the vast treasures they had amounted. From Florida, they proceeded onto Havana, to join the rest of the 28-ship Spanish fleet, Tierra Firme (Firm Land) and load the most valuable of their cargo onto the Nuestra Señora de Atocha, which was the largest and most heavily armed ship of them all. The Atocha would trail the rest of the convoy in case of an attack from behind. An attack came, but not from pirates or British naval ships; the Atocha was leaving Havana in the peak of hurricane season and succumbed to nature’s fury. Just four days after departing Cuba, the Atocha sunk—taking with it over 260 lives. The few survivors of the wreckage and the surviving Spanish ships marked the spot where the ship sank, but more hurricanes ruined any attempts to salvage the treasure.

The Atocha alone carried cargo whose estimates range between $250 and $500 million, including silver from Peru and Mexico, gold and emeralds from Colombia, pearls from Venezuela, as well as more common goods including worked silverware, tobacco, and bronze cannons. Muzo emeralds are coveted worldwide for their exceptional quality and richness in color. They are named after a town in the Colombian Andes, known as the emerald capital of the world. In fact, the main economy of Muzo remains to this day, 75% emerald mining.

So how did this 9.47-Carat Fine Colombian Muzo Emerald from the Nuestra Señora de Atocha end up in FORTUNA®’s May Jewels & Watches auction? Over 300 years after the shipwreck, an unlikely hero would discover the treasure. Mel Fisher, a former chicken farmer turned diving shop owner, spent 16 years searching for the famed treasure. While Mel found many clues scattered across the Florida coast, such as copper cannons that were inscribed as belonging to the Atocha, the actual shipwreck continued to elude Mel and his team of divers.

Treasure hunter, Mel Fisher holding a jar of Colombian Emeralds and some Gold recovered from the Nuestra Señora de Atocha. *(Courtesy of Mel Fisher’s Treasures.)*

Mel continued to search for the ship with his children, and world-record-setting diver, his wife, Dolores. On July 20, 1985, his son Kane, radioed into his father to let him know, they had finally “found the motherlode.” They had found the bow of the ship, and with it, over $400 million in goods. After diving for minimum wage for 16 years, this would change the Fisher’s lives forever—if they got to keep it.

The state of Florida attempted to claim the treasure as theirs, but the Supreme Court of Florida ruled in favor of Fisher and his team. The case could easily have gone another way; only a few years later, a judge ruled the finders of another Spanish shipwreck had to return the treasure to Spain.

American singer, Jimmy Buffet celebrating with the crew behind Silver bars recovered from the ship. *(Photo by Don Kincaid via Mel Fisher’s Treasures.)*

The images of Mel smiling with glee rocked the media. Not to mention the images of Jimmy Buffet, singer and Florida Keys local, singing while perched on bars of silver recovered from the ship. Mel went on to become a Florida hero and a pop-culture icon, even appearing on “Late Night with Johnny Carson,” wearing some of his favorite artifacts. Much of the cache of treasure, however, went on permanent display at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West, Florida, which to this day celebrates Mel’s adventures and heroism.

Mel Fisher cheekily posing with his spoils. *(Courtesy of Mel Fisher’s Treasures.)*

The story of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha isn’t over, however. Experts believe the majority of the ship’s emeralds and other important treasures, would have been kept in the stern of the ship, which remains unfound. Yet Mel Fisher’s discovery was still added to 2014’s Guinness Book of World Records as the most valuable shipwreck to be recovered, despite it being incomplete.

9.47-Carat Fine Colombian Muzo Emerald from the Nuestra Señora de Atocha and Diamond Ring, a part of FORTUNA®’s May Jewels & Watches auction

While Colombian emeralds are already prized for their exceptional color and quality, Colombian emeralds verified to originate from the historic Muzo mines are even more desirable within the colored gemstone market. This particular Muzo emerald offered in FORTUNA’s recent May auction is especially significant given its riveting origins. It achieved a final price of $40,625, flying past the starting bid of $9,500. For more details on this historic piece, click here.

FORTUNA®’s May Jewels & Watches auction took place on Thursday, May 13th at 11 AM EDT. For full sale results, click here.

Harry Winston: Jeweler to the Stars

in Jewelry

Founder of Harry Winston, Inc., famous American jeweler Harry Winston left his impression on the jewelry industry with his love for diamonds and other gemstones. Harry Winston’s collections, both antique and newer styles, are staples in many jewelry enthusiasts’ collections.

Are you looking to consign or buy Harry Winston jewelry? Or are you interested in learning more about your collectibles? Here, you’ll discover more about Harry Winston, his life full of diamonds, and why people call him the “King of Diamonds.”

Who Is Harry Winston?

Harry Winston was a well-loved jeweler, businessman and philanthropist. Today, he is widely known as the “King of Diamonds” and “Jeweler to the Stars” for his many accomplishments as a jeweler.

In 1932, Winston founded Harry Winston, Inc. Today, Harry Winston, Inc., serves the elite globally throughout locations like New York City, London, Paris, Geneva, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Born in 1896, Winston began his journey as a jeweler as a young boy. His father, who immigrated to the United States from Ukraine, owned a small jewelry business that Winston happily worked in. There is a famous story in which Winston, at only 12 years old, identified a 2-carat emerald at a pawn shop which he bought for $0.25 and sold for $800 two days later.

As an adult and businessman, Winston branded himself with his adoration of gemstones. In the 1940s, he revolutionized the jewelry industry with his innovative clustering technique. The technique celebrated the stones rather than the metal setting, maximizing the appeal of every piece. The resulting jewelry exuded life with three-dimensional designs.

Vintage Harry Winston Diamond Earrings - Fortuna Important Jewels Auction — Vintage Harry Winston Cluster Diamond Earrings (Achieved $287,500 at FORTUNA’s 2019 *Important Jewels* auction)

In the same decade, Winston earned the title of “Jeweler to the Stars.” He was the first jeweler to lend diamonds to an Academy Awards actress, Jennifer Jones, who won Best Actress in 1944. Winston dressed royalty, too, selling the Duke and Duchess of Windsor his famed McLean Diamond.

By the end of his life in 1978, Winston owned the second largest collection of historical jewels, second to the British royal family. Harry Winston, Inc. lives on and follows Winston’s lifelong style and values.

What Are Some of Harry Winston’s Most Famous Pieces?

Every Harry Winston piece is sought after for unique angles, intriguing dimensions and organic shapes. But some of the most famous stones in the Winston collection are:

Jonker

The Jonker was a raw diamond found in South Africa in 1934. At the time, the Jonker was the fourth-largest uncut gem ever found, measuring 726 carats. News of the diamond excited the nation. And, naturally, Winston strived to add this raw diamond to his collection.

Winston bought the diamond in 1935. He spent several months debating on the perfect way to cut the stone. Ultimately, the raw diamond was cut into 13 pieces, the largest called Jonker I—a 125.35-carat, emerald-shaped diamond.

Hope Diamond

The Hope Diamond is one of the most recognized diamonds in the world. It was found in India, dating back over four centuries. The first trade record dates back to 1666 when purchased by a French gem merchant. From there, the diamond met many owners, including King Louis XIV, Marie Antoinette and Lord Henry Hope.

In 1949, Winston obtained the diamond from mining heiress Evalyn Walsh McLean’s estate. After a decade, Winston donated the Hope Diamond as a “gift to the world” to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. You can see the Hope Diamond for yourself, as it still rests in the Smithsonian today.

President Vargas

The Vargas, a 726.6-carat raw diamond, was discovered in Brazil in 1938. The raw diamond was named after Getúlio Vargas, the president of Brazil at the time. Winston obtained the diamond and cut it into 29 smaller diamonds, including a 48.26-carat, emerald-cut diamond, named President Vargas.

Get Started at FORTUNA® Today

Once you’re ready to buy or sell an alluring Harry Winston piece, contact FORTUNA. We will walk you through both processes and find a solution that works best for you. Learn more by contacting us online or by giving us a call at 212-389-9040.

Art Deco Jewelry

in Jewelry

If you want timeless jewelry that falls on the cusp of vintage and antique, consider Art Deco. With its iconic and recognizable style, Art Deco jewelry has been many collectors’ favorite era for quite some time. Add touches from the Roaring ’20s to your jewelry collection and learn more about this design era below.

What Is Art Deco Jewelry?

The Art Deco era spanned from 1920 to 1945, including creations and art forms from fashion, architecture, interior design and jewelry. Art Deco jewelry was particularly prominent between the ’20s and ’30s. This period was marked with celebration, as the era came after World War I. Designs were bold, fun and unique to celebrate and reflect individuality.

How Can You Tell if a Piece Is Art Deco?

Art Deco has a distinct style that differentiates it from design periods before and after it. Art Deco saw the creation of jewelry in more masculine styles, from the shapes and motifs to gemstones used. Buying from dependable sellers and auction houses can ensure you get genuine Art Deco jewelry. For your own knowledge, you can tell if a piece is Art Deco by looking for these design features:

Motifs: Design trends before the Art Deco period featured feminine, romantic and natural inspiration. The ’20s, ’30s and ’40s broke away from those trends. Instead, motifs were sharp and sought to imagine the future. Sleek lines, triangles, rectangles and geometric shapes graced pieces of jewelry from this era. Sunburst patterns were also popular, mixing the essence of rounded designs with straight features.
Gemstones: Diamonds were the focus in Art Deco styles, but precious gemstones and other stones were also commonly put on display. Rubies, emeralds, sapphires, onyx and carnelian shine within the era’s bold and fun uses of color.
Metals: Art Deco interior design and architecture featured dazzling gold, but jewelry focused on white gold and platinum. White jewelry was popular during this era as designers paired diamonds with white- or silver-toned metals.
Enamel: Along with the traditional jewelry materials came the rise of enamel. The process involved melting powdered glass onto metal. Enameling allowed jewelers to add a variety of fun colors and sophisticated contrast to their pieces.
Jewelry pieces: While just about every type of jewelry made an appearance during this era, it did have popular styles. Long pendants, long earrings, cocktail rings, diamond watches, layered bangles and detailed accessories like brooches appear in the Art Deco era. The jewelry suited the fashion of the time, which featured lower necklines and shorter hairstyles.
Ring settings: If you are looking for Art Deco rings, you’ll want to understand the typical settings you’ll see in this era of jewelry. Cluster settings group a selection of gemstones, often diamonds, into a dazzling design. A prong setting uplifts a gemstone, which makes it appear larger. Those two designs followed a trend of making a gemstone appear larger than it was, giving jewelry buyers the look of more diamond for their money during hard times. Box settings follow the motifs of Art Deco’s geometrical designs with a squared setting.
Worldly inspiration: In this era, jewelry designers gained a more worldly view and translated that into their creations. Japanese, Chinese and Egyptian art inspired unique motifs, materials and processes. Jade and coral make appearances in Art Deco jewelry, as well as dragon and pagoda motifs.
Multi-functional jewelry: Another design trend inspired by hard times was jewelry that served multiple purposes. Items like double-clip brooches, for instance, could be worn as one piece or separated to accent collars, lapels or belts.

Who Are the Most Common Designers of Art Deco?

By the Art Deco era, jewelry was seen as a way to express individuality. Jewelry collectors and everyday people alike wanted accessories that put their one-of-a-kind style on display. Plenty of designers and jewelers sought to meet the Art Deco trends and give people the unique pieces they wanted. If you’re searching for antique or vintage Art Deco jewelry, you’ll come across a variety of designers, many of whom you may recognize. Among the most common and famous designers of Art Deco jewelry are:

Cartier: Though not the oldest, Cartier is among the most renowned jewelry houses in the world and is the most well-known of the Art Deco era. The jewelry house began as a watch company in 1847 with founder Louis-Francois Cartier. His grandsons later transformed the company into a global brand. Cartier designs for Art Deco rings attracted the world’s attention and that of royal families. Maison Cartier pioneered the use of platinum in jewelry, using the innovation to craft rings, tiaras and watches.
Tiffany & Co.: Another recognizable jewelry house, Tiffany & Co. was founded in 1837. This jewelry house embraced the Art Deco style and trends. Tiffany & Co. was known for creating engagement rings, various jewelry pieces and even interior decorations. Many Tiffany & Co. pieces include dazzling diamonds and common geometrical features. You’ll also find emeralds and other precious gemstones.
J.E. Caldwell: This jewelry retailer is well-known for James Emmott Caldwell’s creations during the Art Nouveau era. That period preceded Art Deco, but J.E. Caldwell would become synonymous with the ’20s design era. J.E. Caldwell’s designs are among famous and superior Art Deco pieces. The most common styles included diamond rings, which reflected cluster and box settings of the time. The retailer also created emerald rings, diamond and pearl necklaces and other items coveted for their quality.

What Are the Most Common Pieces of Art Deco?

In recent years, a cultural interest in the Roaring ’20s sparked a desire for antique and vintage Art Deco jewelry. That intrigue has made this style easier to find at vintage jewelry retailers and auction houses.

You’ll often find Art Deco pieces featuring diamonds. In prior eras, diamonds were on the decline, but the post-World War I jewelry scene saw an influx of diamonds to use in unique designs. Common pieces of Art Deco jewelry that hold assortments of the dazzling gemstone and others include:

Brooches: Clip brooches, in particular, created a stunning canvas. Jewelers decorated brooches with geometric details, diamonds and precious gemstones.
Sautoir necklaces: Long necklaces with tassel details were common during this era. Several designers created diamond necklaces that suspended a seed pearl tassel.
Wide bracelets: From flexible options to cuff styles, wide bracelets were common during this period. Among the rare designs are Suzanne Belperron’s chalcedony bracelets and other pieces.
Rings: Styles from cocktail rings to engagement varieties dominated the Art Deco era. These are common pieces to find today, especially if you’re looking for an engagement ring.

Bid on Art Deco Jewelry With FORTUNA®

If you want to expand your Art Deco jewelry collection or begin one, FORTUNA is ready to help. We offer a rare assortment of vintage and antique items in our auctions. Many of these stunning pieces come from the Art Deco period. Bidding on jewelry from decades ago is an exciting endeavor, and we want to make it as transparent and hassle-free as possible. That’s why we provide detailed photos and descriptions of everything up for auction before the bidding begins. You’ll get to browse everything beforehand and read the specifications our specialists verify.

Take a look at our upcoming auctions and get ready to bid on Art Deco jewelry with FORTUNA. Bid in-person at our New York City location, online, over the phone or as an absentee. No matter how you bid, you’ll have the opportunity to add stunning Art Deco pieces to your collection.

Insights into Indicolite

in Discover / Jewelry

Tourmaline stones have a very complex chemical composition, and over a dozen mineral species of tourmaline are recognized. The most common species of tourmaline are Schorl, Dravite, and Elbaite. Elbaites were first discovered on Elba Island in Italy in 1913, and account for nearly all colored varieties of tourmaline gemstones. They are distinguished from other species of tourmaline for their richness in lithium. In fact, elbaites played an important role in the early discovery of the lithium element in Swedish labs in 1818.

Tourmalines are not only found in every hue of the rainbow but in every range of color intensity imaginable. The ranges in color are so abundant that different shades of tourmaline are often better known by their own individual names. You have undoubtedly heard of red-colored tourmalines or Rubellites; then there is Chroites, which is colorless; Paraiba, a neon-blue to green tourmaline variety that is colored by copper; and Indicolite, the rarest of them all, which possesses a very complex blue shade colored by iron. The presence of iron in Indicolites makes it the only blue gemstone of any kind that will show a drag response when a neodymium magnet is applied.

Indicolite’s name originates from the Latin word for a blue-colored plant known as the “Indicum.” This shade of tourmaline is so rare that the gem commands some of the highest prices per carat among gem collectors.

The desirability of indicolites can be attributed to much more than just their chemical rarity; they are among the most beautiful gems in this world. Indicolite stones are strongly pleochroic, meaning they appear to be different colors when being viewed from different angles. When viewed through their vertical axis, indicolites appear darker in color than when seen through their horizontal axis. Certain indicolites can even exhibit a cat’s eye effect when polished into cabochons.

34.29-Carat Indicolite and Diamond Ring (from FORTUNA’s April 2021 Jewels & Watches auction)

« Previous