When Dupuis’ beautiful, glossy and expensively produced catalogue arrived in my mailbox about a month ago, my heart rate shot up in a second. I’d been waiting since October 2010 to attend another of their high end auctions ... such a classy, polished and well-organized event where I could at least look like I could afford to be there even if I couldn’t, and where I get to sample delectable caviar canapes and gourmet coffees at no charge!

So when my daughter, looking crestfallen, told me she’d be out of town that weekend and couldn’t come with me, I swallowed my disappointment. It wasn’t just that I’d miss out on free caviar and coffee: it’s just that it’s always more fun ... and safer .. if she’s there to advise me so I didn’t want to go alone. But I consoled myself with the thought that at least by staying home and watching the auction “live” online while I munched on popcorn and crackers would save me a fortune!

Well now that the results are posted on Dupuis’ site, I can see I didn’t have to worry anyway. Most of the items went for dollars way beyond my budget. What was most popular? Yellow diamonds! Ring after ring with one or more yellow diamonds went for $8000, $9000 ... $28,000!

And then there was this diamond and emerald brooch below:

The “intense yellow diamond” in the center weighs 6.2cts. That’s a huge diamond! The estimates prior to the auction were for it to fetch between $60 - $80,000 CAD. Well, the hammer fell at $260,000! Unreal! That’s the price of a nice home in my neighborhood!

The other “hot” items at this auction were anything with platinum in them: rings, brooches, bracelets. I suppose if you’re aware of the value of gold and platinum right now, that won’t surprise you: prices for those precious metals have skyrocketed in past 2 years. But let’s face it: there’s not a lot of those metals in rings and pins. Nonetheless, platinum jewelry with diamonds, like the awesome art deco bracelet below brought fierce bidding and high prices. That 1940’s bracelet sold for a mere $36,000!

Genuine gemstone necklaces are still popular with high end buyers too. A gorgeous sapphire/diamond necklace with matching earrings sold for $12,000 as did just the necklace below with those ever popular aquamarine stones ... always a favorite of mine.

One of the most spectacular items on auction was a magnificent and most unusual parure of necklace, bracelet and earrings in rococo design featuring hand-painted oval cameos surrounded by cannetille ... just a glorious set. If you search for “Dupuis” online you’ll find their site. Locate this set (#240) in their sale results so you can get a good look at it. Quite incredible. It sold for $22,000! To think I even entertained the idea of winning that one. Ha!

One piece I really would have loved to win is the enamel bracelet below. I’ve never seen one quite like this. It was #275 in the auction and dates to 1895. Fashioned from silver and 18k and bearing French assay marks, they estimated this would sell for $700 - $900 CAD. Well, when the hammer fell, that rare piece sold for $4800 CAD. I never had a chance!

Well like I said, it’s a good thing I didn’t attend the auction. It would have been frustrating to watch others win what I wanted and couldn’t afford in a million years. It does restore my faith in investing in jewelry: there are buyers out there who will buy if you have the right stuff: colored diamonds, large diamonds, platinum jewelry, antique jewelry. Even if I don’t sell them in my little online shop at Ruby Lane, maybe one day I’ll consign them to Dupuis or similar. It could be fun sitting in the room watching them bid on my lovely pieces while I sample the caviar and coffee. On the other hand, if the hammer falls and I don’t get my price, that caviar and coffee could bring on a bad case of indigestion!

by Viga Boland

Vianvi Vintage Jewelry Showcase at Ruby Lane

Vianvi Vintage & Contemporary Jewelry at Ruby Plaza