INTRODUCTION

This retrospective book was begun as a celebration of beautiful and noteworthy jewels, gems, and watches that DUPUIS has been pleased to offer in recent years. However, we soon realized the enormous variety of these objects and their potential to delight and inform our audience.

ABOUT THIS BOOK

This 318-page hardcover book contains high-quality images of over 1,000 beautiful and noteworthy jewels, gems, and watches sold at Dupuis auctions. The treasures are organized into three sections:

Period Jewels — a chronological study of the development of jewellery styles

Important Gems — a consideration of notable gems

Biographies of Jewellers and Watchmakers — a reflection on the work of jewellery designers and watchmakers

Within each theme, the reader will find brief notes offering context for some of the objects chosen: for instance, an explanation for the popularity of Art Deco jewelry, a brief history of Tiffany & Co., or background to Burmese rubies.

Every item is given a short description, including its auction result. For realism, we illustrated the articles in relative size to each other. At the same time, certain pieces have an additional enlargement to feature a different perspective of design or natural beauty. 

The content of this volume reflects the profound message that human beings can extract gems from the earth, and with diligence and skill, fashion them into objects of breathtaking artistry and beauty. In times of duress, it is altogether too easy to forget the natural beauty surrounding us and the boundless imagination and creativity of which human beings are capable. There are objects in these pages that many generations have treasured and handed down over decades and sometimes centuries. We take great pleasure in knowing that we have spent thirty-five years uniting jewels with new owners who will cherish them in turn.  

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Ron Dupuis, President, Dupuis Fine Jewellery Auctioneers Inc.

Ron earned a diploma from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, a Graduate Jeweller degree from the Canadian Jewellers Association and a Diamond Certificate from the Gemological Institute of America. After apprenticing four years as an appraiser, he became the jewellery department director with Sotheby’s Toronto for six years. Then, in 1986, Ron founded his eponymous auction house specializing in fine jewels, gems and watches from estates and private individuals.

Duncan Parker, FGA, FCGmA, CAP (CJA), Vice President

Duncan is a columnist and contributor to industry magazines and journals. He has been an instructor in jewellery and gemstone courses at Ryerson University, George Brown College and the Canadian Gemmological Association, and an instructor in the Master Valuer Program with the Canadian Jewellers Association. Duncan has served as President of the Canadian Gemmological Association (1997–2014). He is a renowned expert and regularly speaks at international gem, jewellery, and appraising conferences and symposiums.

Patricia C. Kidd, MA, FRSA

Patricia is a cultural historian who holds professional certification in Cultural Resources Management, a BA in Art History, an MA in History, and is a doctoral candidate in the same field. She served for many years as the Adjunct Curator of Decorative Arts at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, and has taught extensively over three decades at universities and at the community level.