FINE JEWELLERY, WATCHES, SILVER & COINS 25th March 2026 at 12pm

LIVE AUCTION OF FINE JEWELLERY, WATCHES, SILVER & COINS • WEDNESDAY, 25th MARCH 2026 AT 12PM 6 Gold at a record high, lab diamonds on the decline – what does this mean for the jewellery market at auction? The current market is changing so rapidly, with gold on a sharp accent of the price per oz and the gradual decline of lab diamonds in general retail market. The definition of synthetic is a man made, chemically identical to that of its natural counterpar t, and also shares the same optical proper ties. Because of this distinction, lab diamonds have been marketed as a good alternative to natural diamonds under the guise of being both ethically and sustainably better than natural diamonds. The sustainability angle can be debunked when you look at the two main methods of synthesization of lab diamonds, CVD (chemical vapor dispersion) and HPHT (high pressure high temperature) both require the use of fossil fuels either directly or indirectly. The largest producers of lab diamonds are based in countries outside of the EU where the labour and sustainability laws are far from EU standards. N A T U R A L DIAM NDS Lot 281: AN ATTRACTIVE LATE VICTORIAN DIAMOND STAR BROOCH/PENDANT, in the manner of 'Le Jardin Star' brooch, with detachable brooch attachment, 15.19 g. Estimated: total weight of diamonds: 7.36 ct, centre diamond: 0.92 ct €5,000 - €8,000