Three times a year, Claire-Laurence Mestrallet examines and values hundreds of fine jewels and rare gems from consignees, for potential sale in Adam’s Auctioneers Fine Jewellery and Watches auctions.
And she is well placed to guarantee this: having begun her career with Christie’s in New York and Geneva, and later moving to Bonhams in London and valuing pieces for auctions in countless European cities, her expansive network brings an impressive continental mix to each Dublin auction. “People think auctions are intimidating, so I really try to make myself as approachable as possible, so that people understand I can advise them. They can come and just learn about the jewellery, it’s open to everybody,” Mestrallet previously told Irish Tatler.
And while Adam’s may be a smaller auction house than those in the UK or New York, its established reputation and a knowledge bank spanning decades – it has been in business in Stephen’s Green since 1887 – makes it an Irish leader recognised in an international market.