Turner Auctions + Appraisals is very pleased to present the Gladyne K. Mitchell Collection of Important Estate Jewelry on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 10:30 am PST. Featuring pieces from the personal collection of the San Francisco philanthropist, the auction features sumptuous jewelry for women, including beautiful ear clips, rings, brooches and clip brooches, bracelets, necklaces, and pendants. Most are 18k or 14k gold, richly adorned with jewels such as diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, blue topaz, and/or pearls. Famed creators or sellers include Van Cleef & Arpels, Fred Leighton, Lalaounis, Judith Ripka, Seaman Schepps, Oscar Heyman, Nicolas Varney, Jewel House of Minyon, Shreve, and H. Stern. Several timepieces are also on offer: watches for both women and men made by Breguet and Omega, a pocket watch, and a late 17th-early 18th-century gilt oignon verge fusee keywind watch from Mousset a Paris.
Born and bred in San Francisco, Gladyne Kenderdine Mitchell (1940-2024) was the daughter of Mitchel and Emma Mitchell, a hardworking, industrious, and successful family whose efforts contributed meaningfully to the betterment of San Francisco and beyond. Educated in the United States, Switzerland, and Italy, Gladyne graduated with degrees in art history and music. Returning to the U.S., she taught kindergarten for several years. Subsequently, following in her family’s real estate footsteps, she worked for her father in property management, then managed her properties after her parents’ deaths.
Gladyne enjoyed traveling and learning other languages, fine dining and wine, and helping others. Well-known in San Francisco society, she was a patron of the arts and a generous benefactor of many charities and organizations, saying “I give to things that I love.” Among those in San Francisco who were recipients of her largesse were the symphony, opera, museums, hospitals, historical preservation, educating underprivileged children, and feeding the hungry in San Francisco.
According to her devoted family and friends, Gladyne was a “class act” who loved art, jewelry, antiques, and beautiful things. Her enthusiasm for fine jewelry developed later in her life, acquiring exceptional pieces from visits to the Italy she loved; Las Vegas, where she enjoyed numerous shows; and favorite jewelry shops in San Francisco.
Those who share Gladyne’s refined taste for stunning jewelry are sure to enjoy perusing and acquiring these outstanding items at auction.
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