Christie’s posts record jewel sales in 2010
February 5, 2011 – Christie’s International has reported a record-breaking result for global jewellery sales in 2010, with US$426.4 million (£275.1 million) – the highest annual total ever achieved for jewellery at the global auction house.
The tally represents a 56 percent increase over Christie’s 2009 total, and beats its previous highest annual jewellery record of US$395 million, set in 2007.
Each one of Christie’s major sales regions experienced significant increases last year, with Christie’s Americas reporting its best total ever for jewellery at US$130.5 million.
Christie’s Asia, with its flagship Hong Kong auctions, led the company’s jewellery sales with US$163 million total.François Curiel, International Head of Jewellery and President of Christie’s Asia, said, “I recall the years when reaching US$200 million, then US$300 million in jewellery sales seemed like insurmountable milestones.
“Our 2010 total moves Christie’s well beyond the US$400 million threshold and onto a whole new level in the global marketplace.
“In this new climate, where large coloured and colourless diamonds, rare gemstones, and signed jewels are attracting an ever-expanding community of collectors and investors from around the world, our team has again demonstrated the resourcefulness and expertise that makes Christie’s the undisputed leader in the global jewellery market.”
