Blog
Expert insights on jewelry, watches, estate auctions, and the luxury market.
Paraíba Tourmaline: The Neon Gem That Rewrote the Rules of Rarity
Discover why Paraíba tourmaline commands record auction prices. Learn about its origins, what makes its electric blue-green glow unique, and how to evaluate these extraordinary gems.
Alexandrite: The Color-Change Gemstone That Captivates Collectors
Discover alexandrite, the rare color-change gemstone prized by collectors. Learn how it shifts from emerald green to ruby red, what drives its value, and how to evaluate quality.
The Art of Collecting Vintage Brooches: A Forgotten Treasure
Vintage brooches are among the most undervalued categories in estate jewelry. Learn why seasoned collectors are rediscovering these wearable works of art and how to build a meaningful collection.
Kashmir Sapphires: The World's Most Coveted Blue Gem
Discover why Kashmir sapphires command record prices at auction, how to identify their legendary velvety blue, and what collectors should know before bidding.
Proxy Bidding Explained: How to Win at Auction Without Overpaying
Learn how proxy bidding works at Alighieri's, set smarter maximum bids, and win luxury jewelry and handbags at auction without the stress of last-second bidding wars.
The Art of Reading Auction Catalogs: A Collector's Decoder Ring
Auction catalogs are dense with coded language. Learn to decode condition notes, provenance shorthand, and estimate ranges so you can bid with confidence at your next luxury auction.
The Collector's Guide to Colored Gemstones at Auction
From Burmese rubies to Colombian emeralds, learn how origin, treatment, and certification shape the value of colored gemstones — and how to bid with confidence at Alighieri's.
Alexandrite: The Color-Change Phenomenon That Captivates Collectors
Discover why alexandrite—the chameleon of gemstones—commands extraordinary prices at auction. Learn how color change works, what to look for, and why collectors covet this rare chrysoberyl.
Kashmir Sapphires: The World's Most Coveted Blue Gem
Discover why Kashmir sapphires command record auction prices, how to identify their legendary velvety blue, and what collectors should know before bidding.
Alexandrite: The Color-Change Gemstone That Defies Explanation
Discover alexandrite, the rare color-change gemstone that shifts from emerald green to ruby red. Learn what drives its extraordinary value at auction.
Paraíba Tourmaline: The Neon Gem That Redefined Rarity
Discover the extraordinary story of Paraíba tourmaline — from its 1989 discovery in Brazil to its status as one of the world's most sought-after colored gemstones.
A Journey Through Jewelry Eras: Georgian to Mid-Century Modern
Trace the evolution of fine jewelry across six defining periods — from Georgian grandeur to Mid-Century boldness — and learn to identify each era's hallmarks at auction.
Decoding Jewelry Hallmarks: A Collector's Guide to Maker's Marks, Purity Stamps & Hidden Signatures
Learn how to read jewelry hallmarks, purity stamps, and maker's marks like a seasoned collector. From gold karat stamps to iconic house signatures, these tiny engravings reveal provenance, value, and authenticity.
Alexandrite: The Color-Change Gemstone That Captivates Collectors
Discover why alexandrite — the mesmerizing color-change gemstone — commands extraordinary prices at auction and how to evaluate quality specimens.
Paraíba Tourmaline: The Neon Gem That Captivated the Luxury World
Discover Paraíba tourmaline — the electric blue-green gemstone commanding record auction prices. Learn what makes it rare, how to identify it, and why collectors covet it.
The Enduring Allure of Art Deco Jewelry: A Collector's Primer
Discover what makes Art Deco jewelry one of the most sought-after collecting categories, from geometric diamond designs to bold color contrasts and the master houses that defined an era.
Alexandrite: The Color-Change Gemstone That Captivates Collectors
Discover why alexandrite is one of the world's rarest and most fascinating gemstones, prized for its dramatic color change from emerald green to ruby red.
The Hidden Value of Signed Jewelry: Why Maker's Marks Matter at Auction
Discover how hallmarks, maker's marks, and signatures on fine jewelry can dramatically impact value at auction — and how to read them like a seasoned collector.
Alexandrite: The Chameleon Gemstone That Captivates Collectors
Discover why alexandrite's mesmerizing color-change phenomenon makes it one of the rarest and most sought-after gemstones at auction.
Why Collectors Are Choosing Colored Gemstones Over Diamonds in 2026
Sapphires, emeralds, and rubies are commanding record auction prices as collectors shift away from diamonds. Here's what's driving the colored gemstone renaissance and how to buy wisely at auction.
Investment Handbags: Which Luxury Bags Actually Appreciate Over Time
Discover which designer handbags consistently appreciate at auction — from Hermès Birkins to Chanel classics — and how to build a portfolio of wearable investments.
Beyond Diamonds: Why Colored Gemstones Are Commanding Record Prices at Auction
From Burmese rubies to Colombian emeralds and Kashmir sapphires, colored gemstones are experiencing a renaissance at auction. Learn what drives their value and how to evaluate them with confidence.
The Art of Reading Jewelry Hallmarks and Maker's Marks
Learn to decode the tiny stamps on fine jewelry that reveal metal purity, origin, age, and the master craftsmen behind your most treasured pieces.
The Collector's Rosetta Stone — How to Read Hallmarks on Fine Jewelry
Every stamp on a piece of fine jewelry is a tiny letter from the past. Learn how to decode hallmarks and uncover the stories hidden inside estate and vintage jewelry.
The Collector's Divine Comedy: Three Stages of Building a Jewelry Collection
From first impulse to curated legacy, every collector's journey mirrors Dante's ascent. Discover the three stages of building a fine jewelry collection at auction.
The Four Cs Are Only the Beginning: A Collector's Guide to Colored Gemstones
Go beyond diamonds. Learn how origin, treatment, and rarity shape the value of sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and other colored gemstones at auction.
The Collector's Guide to Sapphires: Origins, Quality, and What to Look For at Auction
Learn how to evaluate sapphires like a seasoned collector — from Kashmir blues to padparadscha rarities, understand origins, treatments, and what drives value at auction.
The Enduring Allure of Art Deco Jewelry: A Collector's Guide
Discover the bold geometry, vibrant gemstones, and masterful craftsmanship that define Art Deco jewelry — and how to build a discerning collection at auction.
The Connoisseur's Guide to Kashmir Sapphires: Why Origin Matters
Discover why Kashmir sapphires command record prices at auction. Learn to identify their signature velvety blue, understand origin certification, and what collectors should know before bidding.
Top Fine Jewelry Trends for 2026
From bold colored gemstones to vintage-inspired settings, discover the fine jewelry trends shaping the luxury market in 2026.
Consigning with Alighieri's: A Step-by-Step Guide
Everything you need to know about consigning fine jewelry, watches, and luxury goods with Alighieri's auction house, from initial consultation to final payout.
Investing in Luxury Watches: A Beginner's Guide
Discover which luxury watch brands hold their value, how to evaluate pre-owned timepieces, and what to consider when buying watches at auction.
Estate Jewelry Buying Guide: What to Look For
Learn how to evaluate estate jewelry at auction, from understanding hallmarks and gemstone quality to assessing condition and value.
How to Authenticate a Designer Handbag Before Buying at Auction
Expert guidance on verifying the authenticity of luxury handbags from brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes when purchasing through estate auctions.