Caroline Morrissey

What do you do at Bonhams?

I am the Director of the Jewelry Department in New York where we hold five sales a year. Much of my time is spent meeting with clients and valuing jewelry and gemstones, but when I am not doing that I am curating the next jewelry auction!

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

I was born and bred in Edinburgh. From an early age, I always found myself admiring the jewelry both my grandmothers wore and it is this that which inspired me to further my knowledge and pursue a career in the field. Upon graduating from university, I moved to Antwerp to work for a diamond manufacturer and wholesaler and then New York — the rest is history!

What was your first job? 

In high school, I was a Saturday girl at a jewelry store in Edinburgh. That’s where I discovered the magical world of diamonds and gemstones and felt the desire to know more. It’s a passion that has never left me. That knowledge has allowed me to pursue my ambition with total dedication; holding various positions in different areas of the industry and realizing I love it all. As both a woman and someone with no family background in jewelry, I am proud to have carved out a career for myself in what can be a tough industry.

Name one of your triumphs.

I have consigned and sold several 7-figure jewels, but one that really stood out was a 16.90ct emerald cut, D IF Type IIa diamond solitaire ring which sold for $1,807,500. The diamond had so much fire and luster and the fierce bidding made the auction incredibly exciting!

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What has changed in the business since you first started? 

The gemstone and jewelry world has in many ways become much smaller. This is mainly down to vertical integration and the internet which has drastically changed who buys jewelry, what they buy, and how they buy it. Consumers have been empowered to buy jewelry from all sorts of different outlets from all over the world in a way we’ve never seen before.

What is your strength as a specialist? 

What makes me a good specialist goes beyond my knowledge of jewels. Every piece of jewelry has a different story and people have different reasons for buying or selling. My strength I think is being able to listen and understand each personal situation and give advice for the best possible outcome. That’s what makes the job so satisfying – I’m very much a people person.

Do you have a hidden talent?

I am a pretty good baker. Cookies or cake, I love them both, and I’m always up for a themed or decorative challenge. It is a creative and delicious outlet which I much enjoy.

Which piece of jewelry has changed your life?

The day I held a loose 100ct D Flawless emerald-cut diamond I knew I wanted my professional career path to take me somewhere I could hold many, many more.

What is important to know about selling jewelry at auction?

One thing I always tell my clients is that while there are no guarantees, there is no ceiling to how high a price can go. Selling at auction is a unique opportunity to present an individual jewel or entire collection to an international audience of both existing and new jewelry connoisseurs. You never know how high a price might go and the excitement can be exhilarating.

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