The inaugural event for the Friends’ Education lectures, “Welcome to the Wonderful World of Auction!” was a fabulous and well-attended event at The Virginia Robinson Gardens on November 19, 2024, thanks to our terrific co-chairs Susan Finkelman and Andrea Layne. The charming and vivacious Doyle Auctions’ Senior Vice Presidents Emily Marchick, Director of West Coast Operations and Nan Summerfield, California Senior Jewelry specialist, enthralled the audience with their fascinating anecdotes.
Family-owned and women-run, Doyle Auctioneering and Appraisers has been on the Upper East Side of Manhattan for 65+ years. The Beverly Hills branch is on Camden Drive, which is considered “Auction Drive West,” with Sotheby’s and Christie’s located on the same street. Doyle hosts monthly previews of jewelry, watches, sterling silver, and art with the actual auctions taking place in New York City.
Emily and Nan explained that they love auctions because “it is a treasure hunter’s dream” and “the ultimate recycler, keeping history alive.” The company has had a long history of estate sales from Caroline Astor’s jewels of the Gilded Age to Hollywood stars such as Gloria Swanson, Betty Davis, Rex Harrison, and Rock Hudson.
Nan and Emily shared many stories. One spectacular sale featured a pearl and diamond pendant that the client thought was unimportant because it was appraised for $500 in her list of jewelry. Going over her list, a specialist decided to investigate further. They went to the bank to retrieve the pendant which was in an antique box. Behind a ribbon, tucked into the box, was a piece of paper detailing its provenance. The pendant belonged to the Empress Eugenie of France (wife of Emperor Napoleon III), and the Crockers (from the Crocker Bank family) bought it at an auction of the French Crown Jewels in the1880s. The paper listed the chain of descendants who owned the pendant up to the 1920s. The current descendant had not seen the note and had no idea of its history; the family lore had been lost over the generations. Eugenie’s pearl pendant set a world record at auction of $3.3 million.

Emily and Nan detailed the process of consigning items and buying objects at auction. These days, the most popular way of bidding is online, which you can do from the comfort of your home.
Nan and Emily then explored current trends. One is the advent of lab-grown diamonds. Emily said, “They have the same chemical, optical, and physical characteristics as a natural diamond found in the earth. Without a lab report, one cannot tell the difference.” This phenomenon is softening the natural diamond market, especially for diamonds under three carats. The lab-grown diamonds are popular among the young. Although they are far less expensive to buy, they resell for very little because they are not rare like natural diamonds.
Also trending is a premium for signed pieces of jewelry. Brands such as Van Cleef and Arpels, Bulgari, and Cartier are at the top of the list. Very popular are textured yellow gold; diamond and colorful jewelry from the 1960s and 1970s; colored stones; and hard stones such as coral, turquoise and lapis. Long necklaces like the Alhambra Van Cleef and Arpels motifs are in vogue as well.
Men have always worn jewelry such as cufflinks and signet rings. But now, as one can see at Award shows and at black tie events, men are wearing brooches worn on the lapels of their tuxedos. Some are even wearing pearls around their neck, such as the baseball player Joc Pederson, and the musicians Harry Styles and the Jonas Brothers. (In the past, men have worn pearls such as the Indian Maharajas who wore multiple strands.)
In Los Angeles, contemporary art is a big trend, especially art by women, such as Helen Frankenthaler. African American art is having a big resurgence as well.
Emily and Nan warmly and enthusiastically encouraged the group to come and peruse the jewelry and other items in person at the gallery.
After this captivating lecture, guests sat at beautifully decorated tables with pink and green tropical tablecloths and white orchids that they were invited to take home. The sun streaming into the Pool Pavilion and a Christmas tree added to the festiveness of the cheerful scene.

The attendees enjoyed an appetizing luncheon of Cobb salad, olive bread and cheese toast, and cookies with sorbet and berries, catered by John Robinson of JR Party Planning.
Emily and Nan graciously gifted each guest with a goodie bag containing auction catalogs, a pen and notepad of paper, and a chocolate bar!

A big thank you to Curator April Walton, Recreation Service Leader Pam Davis, Member Relations and Administrative Manager Barbara Remedios, and Susan Finkelman for decorating the tables!
The Friends are so grateful to Susan and Andrea for organizing such a delightful, fascinating, and beautiful event! Don’t miss these unique and inspiring lectures in the glorious setting of the historical Robinson Gardens.
Post and photos by Linda Meadows
Friends of Robinson Gardens Board Member
Editor of the Happenings
Clare Wagner
Terrific program and lunch. Thanks Susan and Andrea.
Emily Marchick
What a wonderful time. Thank you Robinson Gardens and friends! A true highlight of our 2024 season. To more great times ahead….
Nan Summerfield
Thank you so much for a lovely article! We very much enjoyed meeting everyone and were enchanted by the beautiful Robinson Gardens – what a heavenly oasis tucked away in our hills! Many thanks for inviting us to speak. We hope you will visit our Doyle Gallery when we have previews or just stop by and say hello!
Kerstin Royce
Great event. We will stop by for sure to say hello to Emily and Nan. 🌺