LEGACY

LEGACY
Casual, sophisticated, and always free-minded.

John and Robert Rubel's first workshop opened in 1915, a few steps away from the legendary Place Vendôme. Humble jewellers, their minitious work caught the attention of the most prestigious "Maisons" and they quickly became Van Cleef and Arpels' sole workshop. John Rubel was in fact the one who signed the first Ballerina brooch which became an iconic piece of the Art Deco period.

The two brothers took a chance and moved to New York in the late 1930s where they rose to fame very quickly. Within 3 years they had become as iconic and fashionable as brands like Cartier and Van Cleef. The war in Europe had undermined the family business and the Rubels decided to come back to France. The family then turned to the diamond trade. Today, some of the vintage jewels are on the second market circuit and their prices during auctions rise very high.

After spending quite some time working for prestigious brands such as Cartier, Boucheron and VCA, Sophie Mizrahi-Rubel, heiress of the Rubel family, decided to reboot the iconic brand. She did so with an audacious and avant-garde spirit, while always keeping in mind the heritage of the century-old name.
Multi-gem ballerina brooch, by John Rubel (Christie’s)
Estimate: 30,000-40,000 Swiss francs / Price realized: 87,000 Swiss francs
Sold on November 17th, 2010
Retro gold, diamond and multi-gem vanity case, by John Rubel & Co (Christie’s)
Estimate: 30,000-50,000 U.S. dollars / Price realized: 40,000 U.S. dollars
Sold on October 21st, 2009
Pair of diamond ear clips, by John Rubel (Christie’s)
Estimate: 8,000-12,000 U.S. dollars / Price realized: 25,000 U.S. dollars
Sold on December 11th, 2008
Turquoise, ruby and diamond brooch, by John Rubel (Sotheby’s)
Estimate: 6,000-9,000 Swiss francs / Price realized: 7,500 Swiss francs
Sold on November 15th, 2011
Retro ruby, sapphire and diamond “rouleau” bracelet, by John Rubel (Christie’s)
Estimate: 23,000-30,000 Swiss francs / Price realized: 68,750 Swiss francs
Sold on May 16th, 2012
Platinum, sapphire and diamond ring, by John Rubel (Sotheby’s)
Estimate: 200,000-300,000 U.S. dollars / Price realized: 785,000 U.S. dollars
Sold on April 17th, 2013
Art Deco diamond and multi-gem “wave” bracelet, by Rubel Frères (Christie’s)
Estimate: 500,000-700,000 U.S. dollars / Price realized: 506,500 U.S. dollars
Sold on October 21st, 2009
Diamond bracelet, by John Rubel (Christie’s)
Estimate: 50,000-70,000 U.S. dollars / Price realized: 74,500 U.S. dollars
Sold on April 22nd, 2009
Rare Art Deco emerald and diamond bracelet, by Rubel Frères (Christie’s)
Estimate: 2,400,000-4,000,000 Hong Kong dollars
Sold on November 27th, 2012
Pair of brooches, by John Rubel (Sotheby’s)
Estimate: 6,000-8,000 U.S. dollars / Price Realized: 8,750 U.S. dollars
Sold on September 20th, 2012
Stylish diamond bracelet brooch, by John Rubel (Christie’s)
Estimate: 40,000-60,000 U.S. dollars / Price realized: 67,300 U.S. dollars Sold on December 11th, 2008
Pair of ruby and diamond brooch / pendants, by John Rubel (Sotheby’s)
Estimate: 7,500-11,000 Swiss francs / Price realized: 9,375 Swiss francs
Sold on November 15th, 2011
Coral, Turquoise and diamond brooch, by John Rubel (Sotheby’s)
Estimate: 5,000-7,000 U.S. dollars / Price Realized: 20,400 U.S. dollars
Sold on October 25th, 2006
Retro diamond, sapphire and ruby “rockette” brooch, by John Rubel (Christie’s)
Estimate: 4,000-6,000 U.S. dollars / Price realized: 16,250 U.S. dollars
Sold on December 11th, 2008
Pair of Art Deco diamond bracelet / necklace, by Rubel Frères (Christie’s)
Estimate: 20,000-30,000 Swiss francs / Price realized: 62,400 Swiss francs
Sold on November 16th, 2006