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How to participate in Artistar Jewels

Published on December 6, 2022

Anello di Inna Vlasikhina. Courtesy: Artistar

In view of the appointment for next year (19 to 22 October 2023) the organizing company of the Artistar Jewels competition reopens the selections for the participants. Artistar Jewels (next year will be the ninth edition) involves about 200 artists and designers with the aim of enhancing the culture of jewelery and, essentially, offering visibility to those who participate. Also next year the exhibition-competition will be held in Milan, at Palazzo Bovara, in conjunction with the Jewelery Week. Furthermore, the works in the competition are published in an illustrated book sent to 5,000 buyers, gallery owners, luxury boutiques and fashion stylists.

Edizione di primavera di Artistar Jewels 2019

A jury selects the artists who have stood out for their originality and design. To participate in the selections for Artistar Jewels 2023 it is necessary to send your application by 20 February 2023 at the following link: www.artistarjewels.com/aj/form-application.html. The selection criteria include unique pieces or small series, jewels with a recognizable style and a strong communicative impact, creations made with traditional materials and/or reinterpreted in an original way or research jewels designed with innovative and/or recycled materials.

John Farris, Visionary-Arts Vogel's Aqua Aura Dream Brooch — John Farris, Visionary-Arts Vogel’s Aqua Aura Dream Brooch

Giorgia Ionita, Artistar Jewels 2019, Palazzo Bovara

How to participate in an online auction

Published on November 20, 2022

Campus

Do you know how to participate in an online jewelry auction? Here’s what you need to know to shop at an online auction ♦

There are diamonds sold at auction at stratospheric figures. But they are exceptions: in reality, at jewelry auctions there are also relatively affordable pieces, excellent jewels, even of major brands in the order of a few thousand euros or dollars. Of course, most of the big auctions take place in London, Geneva or New York, not to mention Hong Kong. But for this very reason many auction houses now also offer online auctions, as they do, for example Christie’s or Sotheby’s, with very interesting pieces. The images relate to a selection of the highest estimates. For example, you can find Art Deco jewels for sale, modern and vintage pieces, but also from large Maison as David Webb, Bulgari, Chanel, Van Cleef & Arpels … And often the prices are interesting.

L'asta Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence organizzata da Christie’s a New York — L’asta Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence organizzata da Christie’s a New York

But how do you participate in an auction? Here are the rules

First of all, you need to register on the site where the auction takes place. You will get a username and password. All simple, just fill out the form on the site. After obtaining an account, you must register for the auction.

Before making an offer from your computer or tablet, read well the conditions of sale, to avoid surprises. In fact, every offer that is made has the value of a binding contract for the purchase at the predetermined sales conditions.

Attention: it is not possible to cancel the offer once it has been presented. However, you can change the maximum bid.

Rossella Novarini, direttrice de Il Ponte Casa d'Aste, durante la battitura del top dell'asta di Gioielli del 26 e 27 maggio 2022, il diamante a goccia di 16,44 carati venduto a 12 milioni di euro. Courtesy Il Ponte Casa d'Aste — Rossella Novarini, direttrice de Il Ponte Casa d’Aste, durante la battitura del top dell’asta di Gioielli del 26 e 27 maggio 2022,
il diamante a goccia di 16,44 carati venduto a 12 milioni di euro. Courtesy Il Ponte Casa d’Aste

On the auction site you will find the images, descriptions and estimated value of the pieces for sale. There is a minimum and a maximum, but it can be exceeded if many potential buyers raise their offer. You can submit an initial offer or a maximum bid. If two equivalent maximum bids have been submitted, the first one will prevail in chronological order.

You can decide in which currency to participate: just click on a small curtain corresponding to the symbol or symbol of the coin and choose, usually euros or dollars, but if it takes place in Geneva or China, even Swiss francs or Hong Kong dollars.

Offers can be submitted at any time during the online auction: therefore, it is not necessary to follow the times of an auctioneer.
When the auction has ended, an email will be sent to inform you if your bid has been successful.

Price: in an auction, even online ones, you need to take into account many factors besides the auction price. For example, you must also add the premium to the buyer (it is an additional percentage cost on the hammer price). In addition, taxes must be added (VAT or equivalent, import tax, customs duties and any local customs clearance fees applicable for your country), shipping costs, insurance coverage for any damage or loss (1% of the purchase price ). The buyer’s premium is usually 25% of the auction price of each lot up to $ 100,000. Payment must be made online by credit card and will be in the currency of the place of sale.
Now you are ready, good auction.

Collier con ametiste e turchesi messo all'asta — Collier con ametiste e turchesi messo all’asta

L'asta di Sotheby's a Hong Kong — Asta di Sotheby’s a Hong Kong

How to buy jewelry at online auctions

Published on December 26, 2020

Campus

Do you want to buy jewelry with an online auction? It can be a good deal, but first read the 9 rules for participating in an online jewelry auction ♦

Making good deals at jewelry auctions can be done. Of course, we usually publish records: diamonds that are sold at a price of millions of dollars or dollars, rings that belonged to actresses or royal families, awarded to collectors willing to pay dizzying figures. Few, however, know that at auctions of jewelry, even those of the big auction houses, you can buy (not always, but often), even high-quality jewelry at a price lower than the market estimates. Of course, to be able to conclude a lucky purchase you have to follow the auctions. Are auctions held in distant cities? Agreed, but for some time you can also buy following the auction live, through the internet. That’s how.

Un momento dell'asta di Christie's — Un momento dell’asta da Christie’s

1 Prepare first
The first rule is very simple: keep an agenda of the auctions proposed by the big specialized houses. Gioiellis.com, for example, anticipates the content of some, larger ones. But just browse the online pages of the major auction houses to know in advance the program and consult the catalog in advance, with the related estimates of price, usually with minimum and a maximum expected. Knowing in advance which pieces will be sold allows you to get an idea and choose in advance which jewel to bet on. Of course it would always be better to see the jewels up close, even if the catalogs often show a good description of the pieces on sale. But, beware: the description is usually flattering.

L'asta di GInevra di Sotheby's — Asta a Ginevra di Sotheby’s

2 Size matters
Take note carefully the size of the jewel that you would like to buy and try to compare it with a piece you have at home. Often the images seen on the screen of a computer, tablet or smartphone are deceiving.

Rahul Kadakia con una selezione di gioielli appartenuti a Elizabeth Taylor venduti in una speciale asta organizzata da Christie’s nel 2011, che ha messo a segno un record di 116 milioni di dollari

3 Register on time
The day of the auction has arrived. One moment: have you registered? In fact, before making an offer, you must explain to the auction house who you are. Better to register first, then. To create an account and participate in an online auction you will need to provide your details, along with a photo ID issued by the government of the country where you have the nationality and a proof of your address. If you are planning to buy very precious jewelry, you will probably also be asked for a financial reference and sometimes even a security deposit. The reason is obvious: for substantial purchases the auction house and the seller do not want to deal with unreliable buyers, who have no established money at the trial of the facts. For purchases of a few thousand euros / dollars, however, just a credit card.

Spilla di Cartier in diamanti e oro rosa. Base d'asta: 10.000 euro — Spilla di Cartier in diamanti e oro rosa. Partita da una base d’asta di 10.000 euro

4 How to buy
Once registered, you can participate in the auction. Each online auction includes how to submit your offer. It is usually also possible to set a maximum bid amount (the highest bid you consider). Just read the instructions on the auction house website: it’s very easy to participate and submit your bid.

Il diamante battuto all'asta a New York — Diamante battuto all’asta a New York

5 No jokes
Participating in an auction is not a sport or a game. Anyone who submits their bid establishes a binding contract with the auction house that cannot be canceled once entered. So before you click you have to be fully convinced. Count to three and then raise. But it is also true that if you wait too long you may miss the opportunity. How to understand how much time you have available for a raise? Simple, carefully follow the times dictated by the auctioneer: after a few pieces sold it will be easy to understand what is the time required to intervene with your offer.

sothebys diamond — Diamante rosa venduto all’asta da Sotheby’s

6 How to buy the jewel
It is not difficult to win a gem at an online auction. After the auctioneer has established that yours is the highest bid, the auction house will provide the necessary sales information. For example, the operation invoice. Confirmation, after your bank transfer (if you have not used a credit card), usually arrives at the time of collection, ie a couple of days later.

7 Other charges
Who does not know the auction mechanism can be surprised: the hammer price is not the final cost. In addition to the price at the time of auction, there are other applicable charges, such as the buyer’s premium, local taxes, shipping charges, insurance costs for liability in case of loss. These fees also vary in relation to the auction house and the place of sale. The auction fees can reach about 15-25% of the price set by the auctioneer and beat at the time of sale.

The Hope Spinel ha stabilito un nuovo record mondiale a un'asta di Bonhams — The Hope Spinel ha stabilito un nuovo record mondiale a un’asta di Bonhams

8 How to get the jewel
You have beaten the competitors, you have won the jewel and you have paid the established price plus the additional charges. And now? Simple: it’s time to make arrangements for shipping. Obviously if you live in the same city or near the place where the auction was held you can personally access the saleroom and collect the jewel. Otherwise, the purchase must be sent. Auction houses usually have agreements with companies specializing in shipments of precious or, as in the case of Christie’s, offer their own service. And this reminds you of another aspect: before buying a jewel, check the shipping cost.

Locandina di una vendita di Faraone Casa d'Aste, a Milano — Locandina di una vendita di Faraone Casa d’Aste, a Milano

9 And if I do not like it then?
Those who live in the countries of the European Union have the right to return purchases, under specific conditions. The rules governing the return of purchased goods and, therefore, also the jewels, can be found here. But don’t be pessimistic: it is much more likely that buying a jewel at an online auction will give you great satisfaction!