Koller Review 2024

13 two with cataloguing and administrative tasks. Our jewellery department organ- ises four auctions a year and has been a mainstay of our company for many dec- ades. What sets our jewellery auctions apart from many others is that each significant gemstone is additionally ex- amined by independent external labo- ratories, providing an additional layer of confidence for buyers. The jewellery and gemstone market, which is of course influenced by fashion, is constantly evolving. Certain prefer- ences change, but classic brands never A natural pearl necklace, circa 1900. Sold for CHF 175 000 A natural pearl and diamond necklace, probably by Cartier, London, circa 1920. Sold for CHF 400 000 A Burma ruby and diamond ring. Cushion-shaped ruby 4.19 ct, pear-shaped diamonds weighing ca. 2.00 ct. Sold for CHF 185 000 really go out of style. Bulgari is very pop- ular at the moment, as are high-quality emeralds. Then there are classics like rubies and sapphires, which, if untreat- ed and from the right origin, can fetch very high prices. Brands like Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Tiffany & Co. are al- ways popular. Products by Hemmerle are increasingly offered at auction and currently fetch very good prices. For some years now, demand has also been growing for historical jewellery and signed vintage items. A fancy intense purplish-pink diamond, 1.21 ct. Sold for CHF 115 000 Nine unmounted diamonds totalling 26.86 ct. Sold for CHF 230 000 In October 2024, we welcomed Jakob Zeijl as the new head of our jewellery department. He completed his studies in art history in Maastricht and London with a master’s degree, then completed his gemologist training in Idar-Ober- stein. From 2021 until last year, he suc- cessfully managed the jewellery and watches department of a large Cologne auction house. Jakob Zeijl works along- side Damian Fürer, who has been with our Jewellery department for almost a decade, for valuations and auction con- signments. Melinda Cusumano, Isabelle Koller and Sonja Portuondo assist the