Pharrell’s Joopiter to launch high jewelry auction

By

Jennifer Braun

Published
Mar 2, 2023

Joopiter, the global digital-first auction house founded by Pharrell Williams, announced on Thursday its first dedicated high jewelry auction, launching in partnership with Lorraine Schwartz on Friday, March 17.

Dubbed ‘A Journey Through Gems’, the auction will feature a selection of the world’s rarest stones and iconic, one-of-a-kind creations commissioned throughout Schwartz’s legendary career. 

Schwartz is a world-renowned American high jewelry designer and third-generation diamond dealer. Her bespoke designs have regularly adorned royalty, industry icons, and A-list celebrities alike.

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The selection will span bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings and rare loose stones, both recent and archival. Standout pieces include: a 50 carat D Flawless Type IIa heart-shaped loose diamond; a pair of 18k white gold 4-panel diamond shape earrings with natural purple sapphire, natural paraiba, and diamonds; and an 18k white gold diamond & Colombian emerald bib necklace with matching earrings.

Completing the selection is a select number of designs co-designed with Williams, including a legendary, sought-after 26-carat Asscher-cut canary yellow diamond ring.

Schwartz said: “I was lucky enough to meet Pharrell over 20 years ago, and we’ve built an incredible friendship through a mutual appreciation for the most exquisite and unique gems in the world. To me, A Journey Through Gems is not only a curation of the finest bespoke high jewelry available now, but also the story of our journey and relationship as told through gems. I am excited to partner with Joopiter for this once-in-a-lifetime sale, bringing access to these gems and their provenance to a global audience.”

The high jewelry auction marks Joopiter’s second auction. It follows ‘Son of a Pharaoh’, which featured personal cultural artifacts from across founder Williams’ career. It closed in early November with $5.25M in sales, over the sales high estimate of approximately $3.2M.

Last Month, Louis Vuitton named the singer and performer as its new men’s creative director. He replaces Virgil Abloh, who passed away in November 2021. Williams is set to present his first collection in June, during the next Paris menswear runway season.