Fine Jewels & Timepieces

Founded over 40 years ago, Leonard Joel’s Fine Jewels & Timepieces department leads the market in Australia with regular, curated auctions in Melbourne.

These auctions feature diamonds, coloured stones and pearls as well as antique, modern and contemporary jewellery and rare timepieces.

Our highly experienced team of specialists, who are all certified gemmological and diamond technicians, value and offer over 15,000 pieces at auction every year.

Their extensive expertise, combined with a highly personalised client service, provides an unrivalled auction experience for sellers and buyers of jewellery and watches in Australia.

Fine Jewels & Timepieces Auction Highlights

A floral brooch by Cartier

Sold for $11,780

A late Victorian diamond pendant

Sold for $53,680

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak double balance openworked pink gold skeletonised wrist watch with bracelet, circa 2018

Sold for $200,000

Platinum, Colombian emerald and diamond ring

Sold for $125,000
Fine Jewels & Timepieces Specialists
John D’Agata

Head of Jewels & Timepieces

As Head of Jewellery at Leonard Joel, John manages and overseas the identification, valuing, and dispersal of more than 15,000 jewellery items annually. Since his appointment in 2007 his passion for jewellery has seen him transform the department into the success that it is today.
John started his career in Jewellery at the established Melbourne jewellers Kozminsky, 1851 as Executive Manager and, now runs the largest specialist jewellery auction department in Australia. In 2013, John was appointed Head of the Sydney Office. Under his leadership, the Jewels & Objets D’Art category was created in 2014. With a focus on single owner collections, these auctions became immediately popular with Sydney collectors and have since provided them with access to the rich selection of items on offer by Leonard Joel. John was invited to conduct and sell the Kozminsky Collection in 2007 which realised over $1 million, the highest value single-owner jewellery collection ever sold in Australia. Having been in the industry for over two decades, in 2019 John turned his talents to consulting for Leonard Joel, whilst running his own Luxury Lifestyle business in Country Victoria. In 2024 John was invited back to resume the role of Head of Jewellery and Timepieces and remains one of the longest standing members of the Leonard Joel Team.

Patricia Kontos

Senior Jewels & Timepieces Specialist

Patricia Kontos joined Leonard Joel in 2021 and has substantial auction industry experience in Australia and overseas serving as Deputy Director at Sotheby’s and Senior Specialist at Christie’s. Patricia was instrumental in establishing the success of the jewellery and watch department for Sotheby’s in Australia. She has presided over a number of important sales and counts as her consignment highlight a rare Rolex “Pulsometer’ Daytona ref 6239 which sold at Sotheby’s Geneva for in excess of AUD $1 million.

Patricia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Melbourne, is a fellow of the Gemmological Association of Australia, and has a passion for watches.

Lauren Boustridge

Senior Jewels & Timepieces Specialist

Lauren’s experience in the jewellery industry extends from New Zealand to Europe. She has trained and worked with prestigious brands such as Chaumet, Rolex, and Tiffany & Co. She joins Leonard Joel from Webb’s Auctions in New Zealand, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Important Jewels department.

Lauren holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Victoria University of Wellington and completed her Graduate Gemmologist Diploma at the GIA in London. Her personal jewellery style is varied, and she is often found playfully styling mixed metals, eras, and colours harmoniously.

Our Departments

Leonard Joel offers specialist experience and regular, curated auctions across a diverse range of categories.

Important Collections

Over our 100 year history, Leonard Joel has been entrusted with the auction of some of the most interesting and important collections in Australia.

Jewellery

Founded over four decades ago, Leonard Joel’s Jewellery department leads the market in Australia with regular, curated auctions in Melbourne and Sydney.

Art

Leonard Joel’s Art Department offers expertise and extensive market knowledge in traditional, modern, international and contemporary art.

Decorative arts

Leonard Joel presents fine European and Australian interiors in curated collections.

Asian Art

Featuring important Chinese jade, ceramics and textiles, Himalayan, Indian, Japanese and Korean works of art.

Modern Design

Modern Design is one of Leonard Joel’s most dynamic and increasingly popular collecting categories.

Luxury

Unique to the Australian marketplace, Leonard Joel’s Luxury department offers vintage and contemporary handbags and accessories.

Collectables

Leonard Joel provides unrivalled expertise in this eclectic collecting category.