Emily Barber

Emily Barber is Bonhams Jewellery Director in the UK and widely regarded as one of the industry’s leading experts. She has been instrumental in guiding the Jewellery department to the position of market leader in the UK, as well as consolidating the department’s reputation for academic excellence in the discovery and research of antique jewels and gems of historical significance, from the Renaissance to the 20th century. Emily has presided over numerous record-breaking auctions, including: • The discovery, research and sale of the historic Hope Spinel – a magnificent 50 carat spinel that once sat alongside The Hope Diamond in the great 19th century gem collection belonging to Henry Philip Hope • The white glove sale of the largest private collection of Andrew Grima jewels ever to come to auction. • The White glove sale of The Ceres Collection, the most significant group of cameos and intaglios to be seen on the market for several generations. • The white glove sale of The Hercules Collection, Part I and II, a collection of antique jewels dating from antiquity to the early 20th century. • The sale of a 5.03 carat Fancy Pink diamond, that sold for £2,228,750 and set a new auction record for a Fancy Pink diamond per carat. • The sale of a magnificent 24.31 carat, D color, IF clarity diamond that sold for £1,868,750. • An early 20th century jewel by Hennell, set with a 17th century Mughal emerald crescent, that sold for £1,328,750. Emily has taught and lectured on the history of jewellery and her opinion is regularly sought by museums and institutions. In addition to being a published author, she is often interviewed as an industry commentator. She is a Freeman of the Goldsmiths’ Company of the City of London and an independent valuer for the Treasure Valuation Committee of Great Britain.