The Largest Private Collection Of JAR Ear Clips Will Hit Auction Block

By Annie Davidson Watson | April 18, 2022

Once called “the Fabergé of our time” by none other than Diane von Furstenberg, Joel Arthur Rosenthal is a Paris-based American jeweler and founder of the fine jewelry line JAR. (He’s also credited as the first living jeweler to exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as a favorite of celebrities including Gywneth Paltrow and Elle Macpherson). Rosenthal produces around 70 JAR 70 pieces per year, making them both highly coveted and exceptional. And now, 20 pairs of the brand’s brilliant ear clips—most nature-inspired and others more whimsical—will be part of Heritage Auctions’ fine jewelry sale on May 2.

“Heritage is honored to be named as the auction house of choice to offer this impressive and fresh-to-the-market collection of ear clips by the world-renowned jeweler JAR,” Heritage Auctions senior director of private jewelry and timepiece sales, Brett O’Connor, tells JCK. “For those in the know, these 20 pairs of bold, colorful, and fashionable ear clips are instantly recognizable as being designed by this exclusive jeweler. When a collection as diverse and beautiful as this appears at auction, it represents a rare opportunity to acquire a carefully curated group of jewels by one of the most sought-after jewelers of our time.”

In most cases, Rosenthal must personally approve who purchases one of his pieces, making this sale a fantastic opportunity to own a piece that will only get better with time—especially considering that this is the largest private collection of JAR ear clips ever to be offered at auction. Below are a few of the pieces for sale, all with a $5,000–$7,000 estimate and $2,500 reserve.