Jean Ghika

What is your current position at Bonhams?

Global Head of Jewellery, based in New Bond Street, London. With auctions in Hong Kong, London, New York, Los Angeles and Sydney we have a busy calendar holding over 40 sales globally throughout the year.

Where are you from? And what inspired you to go into the jewellery world?

I grew up in the South East of England in a family with a strong interest in history and the arts. I was always drawn to social history and found that jewellery provided a unique insight beyond what I was able to glean from history books alone. It provided a tangible insight into a past era.

What was your first job?

In my summer vacations while at university I was an intern in the portrait miniature department at Christie's. This only served to strengthen my interest in the auction world.

 Name one of your triumphs

The fact that the jewellery department in the UK has been the market leader for the past 10 years is something I take immense pride in. During that time I have been privileged to handle some truly exceptional jewels, some of which have gone on to achieve world record prices such as a 5.30ct Fancy Deep Blue Diamond which sold for £6,201,250 including premium in 2013.

Bonhams has also been the champion of the work of 1960s artist jeweller, Andrew Grima for nearly two decades. Andrew Grima is often described as the father of modern jewellery in the UK. Bonhams curated the first stand-alone sale entirely dedicated to Grima’s work in 2006. Since then, we have been a leading force in bringing Grima’s work to the attention of a new generation of auction collectors and enthusiasts.

Thinking of selling your jewellery or collection? Submit it online for a free auction estimate.

What has changed in your area of the business since you first started?

30 years ago many jewels sold at auction were judged solely on the value of their component parts. Now there is much more appreciation of the piece as an individual work of art – buyers are interested in the style, design and form of a piece as well as the stones and metal used.

What is your strength as a specialist?

After nearly 30 years in the auction industry, I have developed a diverse knowledge. Personally, I have a particular interest in 18th and 19th century Indian jewellery, art deco jewels and also jewels from the 1960s and 70s.

Do you have a hidden talent?

I love gardening! My endeavours are not always successful, but I enjoy planting and watching fledgling seedlings grow and develop. My next challenge is to establish a vegetable patch. I also bake a mean ginger cake!

Which piece of jewellery has changed your life?

I would say stuck in my mind, rather than changed my life. The exhibition at the Museum of London in 2014 of the Cheapside Hoard was truly extraordinary. This was the first time the whole collection had been amassed in one place since it was buried, most probably during the English Civil War. Composed of more than 400 pieces of 16th and 17th century jewellery, the ‘hoard’ was discovered in 1912 by workmen below a cellar on Cheapside, London. It constitutes the single most important collection of Elizabethan and Stuart jewellery. The new permanent gallery to house the entire collection is scheduled to open in Smithfield this year.

Stay updated with our auctions

Sign up to receive your weekly newsletter of global auctions, stories and more.