National Jeweler reports that Patrizzi and Co.’s April 19 horological auction brought in more than $6.7 million. Three commemorative-edition Patek Philippes earned the top prices.

An 18-karat yellow gold Patek Philippe minute repeater with perpetual calendar and moon phases was the star of the show, selling for about $349,787. The wristwatch was produced in a small series in 1989 to celebrate Patek’s 150th anniversary.

A Patek “Officer’s style” minute repeater chronometer wristwatch, sold for about $332,724. The timepiece was made in 1997 as one of 10 watches in 18-karat yellow gold to commemorate the new company headquarters just outside of Geneva.

Finally, a Patek Philippe minute repeater wristwatch produced in 2004 as one of five to mark the 50th anniversary of George Pragnell Jewellers in London, sold for about $315,718.

Patrizzi and Co. said in a media release that in addition to the enthusiasm for Patek Philippe, bidding was competitive for several Vacheron Constantin and Panerai wristwatches, as well as for a Hublot “Big Bang Tourbillon Solo Bang,” which nearly doubled its estimate.

Also selling well were a Breguet “souscription” watch in 18-karat gold that was originally sold to Prince Ferdinand in 1812; a Louis Audemars No. 12131 circa 1875; and a Patek Philippe and Cie yellow gold keyless “World Time” gentleman’s dress watch with a cloisonne enamel map of North America. The timepieces sold for about $36,142, $77,457 and $79,178, respectively.

Mindful of tighter budgets for consumers this holiday season, the SCAA (Southern California Auctioneers Association) is encouraging San Diego buyers to stretch their dollars at one of its many live auctions throughout Southern California. Although the SCAA specializes in the Southern California marketplace, public demand for live and online auctions has allowed this 50-member association to expand nationally and internationally.

“SCAA’s success on the regional level has helped gain notoriety on a much larger scale. The more people learn about public auctions and experience the thrill of attending one, the greater the demand. During this holiday season, we expect to see record numbers of buyers and sellers looking to reduce or acquire valuable inventory before year’s end,” says SCAA Trustee and Past President Ed Testo.

SCAA Secretary and Past President Rich Wasser says, “SCAA’s auctioneers have a wealth of experience and education, which translates into a comfortable environment for all parties. Present times are stressful, which is why the SCAA always strives to ensure a smooth bidding process for our auctioneers, buyers and sellers. There’s no intimidation factor and there are always plenty of associates on hand to answer questions. So, if looking for a one-of-a-kind gift, watch, or jewelry for that special someone, or needing to cushion your wallet this holiday season, look no further than a SCAA live auction.”

To stretch your dollars this holiday season, visit www.socalauctions.org for a complete listing of free auctions in your area or call (800) 352-5572 for more information.

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If you are an auction shopper in San Diego, don’t forget about police auctions. Every year police departments across the country sell items that they’ve acquired. Read more about it at: Stolen Goods Up For Auction.

CBS News is offering a new tip for how San Diego shoppers can save money this holiday season…buy stolen property! Some people are turning to giving hot gifts (as in stolen property from the police). But not to worry; it’s perfectly legal. A bonanza of fenced goods is now available at PropertyRoom.com–an online auction site where you can buy stolen goods without someone calling 911 on you.

PropertyRoom.com was started by a former police detective in Long Island, New York. The site auctions off items seized by more than 1,500 police departments across the country after their hold period ends, which is usually 90 days.

Have you ever wondered where stolen gold jewelry and Rolexes wind up if they’re not recovered by their rightful owner? Well, now you know. You can by diamond rings, watches, pearl necklaces, and more bling at PropertyRoom.com. Also on the block are designer sunglasses, designer handbags, mountainbikes, art work, computers, and coin collections (some of which dates back centuries).

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Another good place to look for auction items is Michigan’s MiBid. No worry for San Diego residents since you can bid online! Read an article about their auctions at: Unique Items Available at MiBid.

San Diego holiday shoppers should take note that iGavel (a leader in online auctions) is currently hosting an online jewelry auction. As we are now in a buyer’s market, iGavel has worked with many of its consigners to lower estimates and reserves in order to have a successful auction. Therefore, this is a great time to purchase jewelry at prices that are more reasonable than have been seen in years.

The auction includes a varied selection of vintage and designer jewelry. Recent highlights have included a 3 carat sapphire and diamond ring, estimated at $1,200-$1,800 with a starting bid of $800; a Diamond, Gold and Pearl Convertible Brooch or Pendant, estimated at $2,500-$3,500, with a starting bid of $1,800; and an Antique 14K White Gold, Emerald and Diamond Pierced Work Horizontal Brooch, with the emerald under 2 carats, and diamonds totaling close to four carats. This piece is estimated at $3,000-$5,000, with a starting bid of $1,995.

The watches included in the iGavel auction are often exceptional. Over the past ten days, items have included a Bovet, Fleurier, Enamel and Gold Open Face Key-wind Watch for the Chinese Market, 19th Century, estimated at $500-$700, with a starting bid of $250; a Gold and Enamel Keywind Watch, Just & Son, London, 19th Century, Estimated at $800-$1,200, with a starting bid of $500. Also included is a Gold Cartier Ladies Watch, Paris, late 20th century, from a private South American collector. This piece is estimated at $2,000-$3,000, with a starting bid of only $900.

Check out iGavel.com to see if these items are still up for auction, and to discover what other new jewelry and watches have been placed up for bidding.

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Shoppers in San Diego take note that a huge stash of gold coins, jewelry, and other gold items are soon going to be up for sale. Read the details about the auction at: Treasure Trove to be Auctioned.

Are you looking for some great deals on second-hand fine jewelry? Doesn’t matter if you are from San Diego, you can still take part in the Illinois jewelry auction on Ebay. Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giuannoulias’ office has begun auctioning the contents of abandoned safety deposit boxes on eBay to holiday shoppers.

“We have diamonds, pearls, rubies and gold and silver jewelry and coins,” said Giuannoulias spokesmen Scott Burnham, speaking about the upcoming Silver and Gold auction. All available items come from the Illlinois’ unclaimed property vault. “Money and other assets are considered lost or abandoned when the owner cannot be contacted after a period of 10 years,” Burnham said. According to Giuannoulias, the state holds about two billion dollars worth of unclaimed property from about ten million Illinois residents and businesses.

Auction proceeds are used to make payments into unfunded pension liabilities, which Illinois has approximately $43 billion, one of the highest in the nation, Burnham said. “Especially since the economy is tight and budgets are softening, we’re hoping people will take advantage of these jewelry bargains on eBay,” Burnham said.

You can check out the auction by clicking here: jewelry auction.

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Have you been holding on to some platinum jewelry looking for the right time to sell it to a San Diego jewelry buyer or pawn shop? Well, the right time might be here. Check out this article and decide: Increased Demand for Platinum Jewelry?

We reported last month how watch auctions were setting records, but not so with a recent jewelry auction at Sotheby’s in Switzerland. Nearly 150 jewels including the star lot, a huge blue diamond, were left unsold, as nervous buyers held back amid uncertainty in world markets, the auction house said.

“I think had we been having this sale six months ago, it would have been a very different story,” said David Bennett, as quoted by Reuters. “Clearly the market is in transition and like all markets in transition, people stand back to see what is going to happen,” he added. “People aren’t flooding into the stock market because they can’t see a pattern. I think it was the same thing here.”

One of the surprise no-sales was the Lesotho I, a 71.73 carat light brown diamond mounted on a ring by U.S. jewelry Harry Winston. “It has to wait for another year,” Bennett told the crowd after the huge and historic stone, which had been forecast to fetch 3.3 million-5.6 million francs, stalled at 2.5 million.

The best result of the auction was a pink diamond ring of 8.02 carats was bought for nearly $1.33 million. A pearl necklace with a clasp set with a large emerald surrounded by diamonds brought the same price. Another highlight was a round 11.70 carat Golconda diamond, set in a ring by the American Paris-based jeweler known as JAR (Joel Arthur Rosenthal), which sold for 1.2 million francs to a London-based dealer.

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Do you have some silver flatware that you are looking to sell in San Diego? Well, before you head down to that pawn shop be sure to read: Tips for Selling Used Flatware.

Looking further proof that the collectible watch market is going like gangbusters? Here it is: One day after Antiquorum brought in nearly $10 million at its fall clock and watch auction, Sotheby’s hauled in nearly $4.1 million in New York at its Oct. 17th auction of “Important Watches.” Like Antiquorum, Sotheby’s saw strong interest from buyers not only in the United States, but also Europe and Asia.

What were the hot tickets? No wristwatches from Albert Einstein this time. Instead, there was a chronograph pocket watch from the American watchmaker Waltham Watch Co. that went for $266,500. That price was five times the pre-auction estimate and a world record for an American watch, not to mention Waltham itself.

The Swiss were not to be outdone. A Breguet platinum tourbillon which was made to honor the company’s 250th anniversary took in $350,000 at the gavel drop. Looking to get in on the action? The next Sotheby’s watch auction will be the “Fine Watches” sale on December 18th in London. Mark your calendar.

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If you are wanting to read more about red hot the collectible watch market in San Diego and countrywide, then be sure to check out this article: Antiquorum Watch Auction Sees Record Sales.

It is not only jewelry auctions that have been exceeding expectations lately as investors continue to move money into hard assets. Antiquorum reports that its first auction of the fall season brought in $9,892,812 from its sale of collectible clocks, pocket watches, and wristwatches.

In total, 404 pieces were sold. 34 percent of the items were bought via Antiquorum’s online bidding system. Buyers logged in bids from countries around the globe, including China, Germany, and Russia.

The highest sales price went to a Patek Philippe “First Series,” which scored a final bid of $1,514,400. But it was a wristwatch formerly owned by Albert Einstein that sparked the auction’s most intense bidding war. When the gavel dropped the Longines watch from the famed physicist was sold for $596,000, more than 2,000 percent its original estimated value (the highest price ever paid for a Longines wristwatch). Rolex also earned a record amount for its “Platinum Day Date” wristwatch which went for $78,000.

You certainly aren’t going to find those kinds of watches at a San Diego pawn shop, but the these auction results should show you that if you are in need of a good sized cash loan from a pawnbroker, a collectable watch is one of your best items to use as collateral.

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Have you been wondering just what estate jewelry is? Then wonder no longer. We’ve detailed it in this article: What is Estate Jewelry?

The highlight of the sale is a fancy vivid yellow diamond necklace with an estimated value of $7.4 million to $9.5 million, featuring a 102.56-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond (pictured.) It has a flower pendant that can be detached from the necklace and worn as a brooch.

Quek Chin Yeow, deputy chairman and head of jewelry at Sotheby’s Asia, said, “The diamond is the largest fancy vivid yellow diamond ever to be offered at auction anywhere in the world; this extraordinary diamond, with its impressive size and auspicious golden yellow color, will be a major attraction.”

Another highlight of the sale will be a colored diamond butterfly brooch by Carvin French. The center of the brooch is set with one fancy vivid blue diamond and two fancy intense blue diamonds, weighing 5.53 carats in total. Complementing the blue hues are the vibrant yellow and pink diamonds mounted on the wings of the butterfly. (Estimated value $3.8 million to $4.6 million.)

With strong demand for top quality diamonds weighing more than 15 carats, an impressive 34.07 carat cushion-shaped D, IF, diamond ring will undoubtedly attract much attention. (Estimated value $6 million to $7 million.)

Sotheby’s Hong Kong will present a pair of ruby and diamond earrings by James de Givenchy for Taffin. The two unheated, natural rubies, weighing 10.02 and 10.91 carats respectively, are well-matched in both color and shape. Each surrounded by eight rose-cut pink and eight colorless round diamonds, these rubies show a fiery red hue with dazzling brilliance fascinating all connoisseurs. (Estimated value $3.8 million to $4.5 million.)

Also featured among the colored stones is a pair of star rubies, alexandrite and diamond earrings. The rubies, weighing 19.45cts and 22.13cts each, are remarkably matched in both color and shape, and boast intense hues and fine clarity. (Estimated value $666,000 to $871,000.)

A further highlight is a Colombian emerald and diamond ring without any oil treatment. This natural 10.09 carat emerald boasts high clarity and a saturated color. It is embellished by 10 round diamonds, emphasizing the magnificence of the noble green color.

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If you are a San Diego resident who is a collector of fine jewelry from brands like Tiffany and Cartier, then you’ll want to read this article about how Vintage Jewelry is a Popular Investment.