Over the years, Sotheby's has conducted the sales of the most spectacular jewelry collections of all time including The Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor, which at $50.3 million is distinguished as the world record auction total for a single collection of jewelry. In May 2009, Sotheby's achieved the world record price per carat for any gemstone at auction when a rare fancy vivid blue internally flawless diamond of 7.03 carats, now named 'Star of Josephine,' was sold in Geneva for $9.48 million, or $1,349,752 per carat.

The three day intensive course will offer an insider's view of the world of fine jewelry. The course will provide a detailed overview of precious gemstones, colored stones, and brilliant diamonds, and will encourage students to develop a discerning eye. In addition to formal lectures, participants will be accompanied to Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels Auction by the instructor, and experience fine jewels firsthand, during a private visit to an international retail jeweler.

This course is led by Fred Feldmesser, President of Parker-Feldmesser, Inc. who began his career in a gem trading family before joining the venerable houses of Cartier and Harry Winston in New York. Mr. Feldmesser is an internationally renowned gemologist and private jeweler. He has lectured at the Gemological Institute of America, the Smithsonian Institute as well as the Harvard and Yale Mineralogical Museums. He is a consultant to U.S. Customs and the author of Rocks Pebbles and Stones, Confessions of a Private Jeweler.

Course Dates
Dates: Monday, April 19, Tuesday, April 20, Wednesday, April 21
Daily 10:00am - 3:00pm
3 sessions at Sotheby’s Auction House, 1334 York Avenue, New York

Course Fee
$1,200

Download Short Courses Brochure.

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For further information and to reserve a place on a short course, please email: publicprogramsNY@sothebysinstitute.com
Tel: : +1 212.517.3929