A collection of jewellery once owned by the late Senator Dianne Feinstein has sold for over $500,000 at the 'Legacy of a Stateswoman' auction, held by Bonhams in Los Angeles. The jewellery sale far exceeded expectations, fetching more than three-and-a-half times the pre-sale estimate. The entire auction, which included furniture, design objects from her three homes, and American art, raised nearly $1.9 million.
The standout piece of the jewellery collection was a platinum and diamond ring featuring a 4.14-carat diamond of E colour and VS2 clarity, flanked by tapered baguette diamonds. This piece sold for $108,450, significantly surpassing its estimate of $45,000 to $65,000. Another notable item was a 14k gold and diamond brooch shaped like California's state flower, which sold for $19,200, well beyond its $600 to $800 estimate.
Senator Feinstein, a Democrat, made history as the first woman to serve as a U.S. Senator for California, a position she held from 1992 until her death in September 2023 at the age of 90. Her personal fortune, estimated at $70 million, came largely from her marriage to billionaire investment banker Richard Blum, who founded Blum Capital Partners and held a vast portfolio of assets.
Bonhams reported immense interest in the auction, which lasted nearly 12 hours. Many lots sold far above their estimates, with the entire sale doubling its expected total to reach $1.85 million. The auction also set new records for Bonhams, boasting the highest number of registrations for a U.S. sale in the company's history, as well as for a global sale in the past 15 years.
Feinstein’s legacy as a trailblazing stateswoman and the allure of her personal collection contributed to the auction’s remarkable success.
