SHOP THE BOUTIQUE FOR STOCKING STUFFERS, BIG-TICKET ITEMS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
By Rhonda Reinhart
When it comes to holiday shopping, auctions can be great places to find one-of-a-kind gifts for the special people on your list. But if you don’t want to risk getting outbid on the items you’ve got your eye on, Heritage Auctions has The Boutique, a buy-now portal populated with fine jewelry, designer handbags and other luxury accessories. To make your gift-giving a little easier this year, we browsed The Boutique for you and picked out some stellar pieces in a wide range of price points. Now all you have to worry about is the wrapping paper.
The Righteous Gemstones
The holidays are meant to sparkle, and there’s no better way to add shine to the season than by filling loved ones’ gift bags with shimmering gemstones. One of The Boutique’s most dazzling options is this Aletto Bros. ruby, diamond and 18k gold ring ($42,500). The bombe-style ring set features six rows of invisibly set rubies bordered by two rows of sparkling circular-cut diamonds. The jewelry lovers on your list would also appreciate this Van Cleef & Arpels 18k gold and diamond bracelet ($16,000) and this pair of 18k gold, amethyst, turquoise and diamond Bulgari ear pendants ($8,400).
In the Bag
The Boutique is brimming with exceptional Hermès handbags at a variety of price points. Leading the pack is a gorgeous 40cm Metallic Bronze Porosus Crocodile Birkin Bag with palladium hardware. Priced at $300,000, the bag features Hermès’ most treasured exotic skin. Other Hermès handbag highlights in a range of prices include an 18cm Ring Lizard Constance Bag with gold hardware ($46,000), a 25cm Rose Tyrien Ostrich Special Order Kelly Sellier with gold hardware ($34,000) and a Blue Brume, Vert Jade & Gold Epsom Leather Mini Kelly with palladium hardware ($34,000).
Totally Charming
Any Hermès fan would be thrilled to find one of the fashion brand’s lovely leather charms in her stocking this year. The Boutique has several of the miniature delights in stock, including a Chai, Black and Nata Agneau Leather Pegase PM Charm, a Gold GeeGee Camail Charm and a Rose Mexico Shopping Bag Charm, priced at $800 each. If Santa is feeling extra generous, there’s also a très chic 6.5cm Black Lizard Kelly Twilly Charm ($6,000) and a so cute So Black Matte Alligator & Agneau Leather Touch Rodeo PM Charm ($2,000).
Off the Cuff
With roots dating back to the 17th century, cuff links are a classic gift item, and The Boutique has several options to choose from. This elegant Art Deco pair from circa 1925 ($3,000) features a cabochon emerald and four diamonds on each platinum disc. The Art Deco influence continues with this pair of sterling silver Tiffany & Co. cuff links by Paloma Picasso ($550). But for something more whimsical, try this owl-themed dress set ($2,000) complete with a pair of 18k white gold, diamond and ruby cuff links and three matching shirt studs.
RHONDA REINHART is editor of Intelligent Collector.