The Estate Jewelry Of Joan A. Nitis Comes To Turner Auctions + Appraisals On May 16

135 Lots Feature Fine, Gem-Set Jewelry, Mostly for Women

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA, May 4, 2026 – Turner Auctions + Appraisals is pleased to present the Estate Jewelry of Joan A. Nitis on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 10:30 am PDT. The sale features 135 lots – almost all from the estate of Joan A. Nitis of San Francisco. Offerings include women’s gem-set jewelry, some items for men, several accessories, and numerous groupings.

Jewelry lots include necklaces and chains, rings, bracelets and bangles, pendants, brooches, earrings, pocket watches and chains, wrist watches and straps, and cufflinks. Most are 18k or 14k gold, silver or platinum; many are set with precious stones such as diamond, amethyst, ruby, emerald, pearl, jade, coral, tourmaline, blue topaz, or sapphire. Other pieces include mother-of-pearl, bone, hardstone or rock crystal. Some pieces are antique or vintage. Noted jewelry names include Tiffany, Hermès, Gumps, Alexis Bittar, Christian Dior, and Trifari. There are also many groupings of antique, vintage, fashion, and costume jewelry. Accessories on offer include a Tiffany coin purse, a Montblanc Meisterstück ball point pen, and items by Jay Strongwater. Among the highlights are an antique Tiffany cockerel ring inscribed in 1899 and several gold charm bracelets.

Turner Auctions + Appraisals begins its online auction on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 10:30 am PDT; sale items are available for preview and bidding now. The auction will be featured live on four platforms: LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable, Bidsquare, and Turner Auctions + Appraisals’ free mobile app, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Apps (“Turner Auctions”). Both are easily accessed through ‘Upcoming Auctions’ at the company’s website:  www.turnerauctionsonline.com/upcoming-auctions/.

Here below are some highlights of the upcoming online sale (please see lot details in the online catalog):

LOT 28: Gold Coin and 14k Gold Charm Bracelet. Suspending 17 assorted Middle Eastern gold coins and charms, from 14k to 22k gold; weighing approximately 67.85 grams; length: 7 1/8 in. Estimate $4,000-$6,000. 

LOT 53: Antique Tiffany & Co. 18k Gold Cockerel Signet Ring. Inscribed: May 26, 1899; partial signature only; weighing approximately 11.8 grams; size: 6. Estimate $800-$1,200. 

LOT 18: Herco 14k Gold Hollow Curb Link Bracelet. Weighing approximately 63.27 grams; length: 7 7/8 in., width: 7/8 in. Estimate $3,000-$5,000. 

LOT 6:  18k Gold Pendant. Depicting an Assyrian LaMassa winged bull, protective deity for ancient Mesopotamia; weighing approximately 26.85 grams; length: 1 1/2 in. Estimate $1,500-$2,500. 

LOT 23: Six Alexis Bittar Bangle Bracelets. Of assorted sizes and colors, one hinged. Estimate $2,000-$3,000. 

LOT 49: Antique Gold Locket and Chain. The 14k tri-color gold oval locket featuring a pastoral scene, suspended from a 10k yellow gold link chain; weighing approximately 66.74 grams; locket length: 2 1/2 in., chain: 21 1/2 in. Estimate $2,000-$3,000. 

LOT 50: Diamond, Ruby and 14k Gold Ring. Set with 25 round diamonds and 44 round-cut rubies; estimated total diamond weight: 2.00 carats; estimated total ruby weight: 4.00 carats; weighing approximately 15.0 grams; size: 7 3/4. Estimate $1,500-$2,500. 

LOT 16: Emerald, Diamond and 18k Gold Ring. Bezel-set with a pear and oval-shaped emeralds weighing together an estimated 1.00 carat, accented with 5 round brilliant-cut diamonds; weighing approximately 8.97 grams; size: 7. Estimate $1,000-$1,500. 

LOT 64: Antique Lapel Diamond and Gold Watch and Brooch. The 14k gold lapel brooch of scrolled foliate design, centering a European-cut diamond weighing approximately 0.45 carat, suspending an 18k gold open-face pocket watch, the back cover accented with 6 old European-cut diamonds; estimated total diamond weight: 0.60 carat; gross weight approximately 31.2 grams; length: 2 1/2 in. Note: no crystal, dial with hairline crack, missing second hand. Estimate $1,500-$2,500. 

LOT 51: Antique Ruby, Enamel and 14k Brooch-Pendant. Centering a cushion-shaped ruby weighing approximately 0.85 carat, framed by 13 round rubies weighing in total an estimated 3.15 carats, and accented with black tracery enamel; weighing approximately 27.66 grams; length: 2 1/2 in. Estimate $1,800-$2,200. 

LOT 32:  14k Gold Bracelet, Italy. Weighing approximately 27.27 grams; length: 8 1/4 in., width: 5/8 in. Estimate $1,200-$1,800. 

LOT 17: Pair of Tourmaline, Gem-Set & 14k Gold Clip Earrings. Designed with carved pink tourmaline leaves and jade plaques, accented by two round brilliant-cut diamonds; weighing approximately 13.72 grams; length: 1 3/4 in. Estimate $600-$800. 

LOT 4: Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co. Amethyst Ring. The sterling silver ring with 18k gold accents, centering a hexagonal-shaped buff-top amethyst; with signed box; weighing approximately 9.36 grams; size: 6. Estimate $500-$700. 

LOT 37: Jade, Diamond and 14k Gold Bracelet. Designed with three oval-shaped jade plaques measuring approximately 20.0 x 10.0 mm, accented with four round-cut diamonds; weighing approximately 22.86 grams; length: 7 1/2 in. Estimate $1,200-$1,800. 

LOT 45: Victorian Amethyst, Cultured Pearl and 10k Gold Brooch. Centering a hexagonal amethyst measuring approximately 16.5 x 16.8 x 10.0mm, and weighing an estimated 16.95 carats, accented by four cultured pearls; weighing approximately 13.15 grams. Estimate $600-$800.

LOT 13: Coral and 18k Gold Ring. Featuring a round coral cabochon, measuring approximately 7.5mm; weighing approximately 13.58 grams; size: 6. Estimate $800-$1,200. 

###

ABOUT TURNER AUCTIONS + APPRAISALS

Based in South San Francisco, Turner Auctions + Appraisals was founded by Stephen Turner to expand and complement the capabilities of Stephen G. Turner Associates, an auction and appraisal consulting firm founded in 2004. Turner Auctions + Appraisals presents online auctions in diverse categories of personal property (www.turnerauctionsonline.com). Among them are Fine Arts, Decorative Arts, Asian Arts, Toys, Jewelry, Militaria, Ethnic Arts, and others. The company offers a range of auction and appraisal services for buyers, sellers, and collectors. Online auctions are held several times a month. Working with leading live and online auction houses on the West Coast since 1991, Turner is a professional appraiser of personal property and seasoned auctioneer. His areas of expertise include fine art, decorative arts, antiques & residential contents. The company welcomes consignments and appraisals.

For more information about the company, please contact:

Stephen Turner, President

Turner Auctions + Appraisals, 461 Littlefield Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080

415-964-5250 / [email protected] / www.turnerauctionsonline.com
For media inquiries or photos, please contact:  Jill Turner, Rodin & Shelley Associates / [email protected]