Strauss & Co fine jewellery auction rakes in over R7 million

Strauss & Co's most recent Fine Jewellery Sale raked in over R7 million rand this week (27 October), showing the appetite of jewellery collectors.

The international auctioneer offered 128 lots on its virtual auction conducted in Cape Town, of which almost 80% was sold.

The sale blended iconic international brands like Bvlgari, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co. with South Africa’s own high-end Browns Jewellers.

The focus is on fine jewellery when Strauss put their sales together, says specialist writer Debbie Hathway.

"The pieces might be handmade by goldsmiths in the 1970s, or they could be manufactured in Italy five years ago... Strauss include a diverse range of luxury jewels, so if a Van Cleef & Arpels or a Cartier piece are a good fit for the theme those will be included, but equally if a piece from South Africa's Browns or Elegance work well with the theme they will consign those for the sale."

Browns made a big impact at Monday's auction - their diamond tennisnecklace design sold for R50,000 over its maximum estimate at R350,000, while many of the big international players' pieces came in within their estimate range.

"When it comes to the local scene, Browns is actually expanding. Kim Goeller, the Strauss jewellery specialist, told me that the brand are looking at Australia and they're already beyond our borders in Dubai and London."

"It's important for Strauss to promote beautiful South African jewellery creations, especially given their large international client base and standing as the leading auction house in Africa."

To hear more from Hathway about fine jewellery auctions, listen to the interview audio at the top of the article