JEWELRY IS MORE than just a dazzling accessory for one’s outfits—it is also full of stories celebrating important milestones and capturing cherished family memories. So often it is symbolic, acting as a little celebration of who we are. As a specialist in Hindman’s Jewelry & Watches Department, I have the privilege to hear so many clients reminisce as they unveil their jewelry boxes and consider what they might be willing to put “under the hammer.”

I have always loved jewelry for as long as I can remember and have been fascinated by the idea of jewelry as a form of adornment. Growing up in Australia with two sisters, there was great feminine energy in our home, and jewelry and fashion were always keenly discussed topics.

I became increasingly captivated by jewelry when I moved to New York City. I first worked as an assistant to a Broadway director but quickly felt myself being lured into the jewelry industry and all things sparkly. I achieved my GG (Graduate Gemology) diploma from the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), and from there, I found myself on Madison Avenue working alongside renowned diamond houses. It was a magical experience—I was absolutely in my element handling the most extraordinary gemstones.

Now I’ve landed on the North Shore of Chicago and have been living here for almost 10 years. I have found my jewelry niche working as a specialist at Hindman. The auction world is so thrilling—after all my last name is Hammer, so it is absolutely where I am meant to be. In my role as a jewelry specialist, I often get questions about why one would want to buy or sell at auction. Auctions truly give new life to jewelry, offering bidders the rare chance to snag an amazing item that they will not find anywhere else, not even at an established jeweler. In the same vein, when you sell an item at auction, the sky is truly the limit. The excitement of one-of-a-kind pieces being offered drives prices far beyond expectations, as bidders fiercely compete against one another to place that winning bid.

At Hindman, I get to work with so many unique and astonishing jewels, from Burmese ruby bracelets to sapphire and emerald rings. We have some exquisite pieces featured in our upcoming May Important Jewelry sale. I especially love the Art Deco pieces made in platinum with aquamarines and diamonds. Also, with green being my favorite color, I always seem to gravitate toward the “pop” of vivid color when an emerald is nestled between diamonds, and Hindman has some particularly stunning emerald rings on offer. And, a pair of ruby and diamond earrings is striking, perfect for a sophisticated evening out.

Buying at an auction is the optimal route if you want to treat yourself or are looking for a unique gift that is sure to win anyone over. If you love the new trend of yellow gold jewelry with an ’80s flair, we’ll have it. If you love the classics like diamond tennis bracelets and diamond studs, we’ll be offering those too.

Above all, it is truly a special and exciting experience to buy and sell jewelry at auction. I frequently feel like a treasure hunter because something brilliant is always just around the corner ready to be discovered and given new life by the lucky, winning bidder.

The Jewelry & Watches department will present a live and online auction on May 17, with bidding beginning at 10 a.m., hindmanauctions.com/auctions/1029-important-jewelry. Bidding is available via Hindman’s Digital Bid Room, bid.hindmanauctions.com or the Hindman app. The jewelry will be available for preview from May 11 to 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 15 from noon to 3 p.m., and May 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact Karina Hammer, G.G. at 312-280-1212 or [email protected].