NEW YORK, NY.- Phillips announced new appointments to the company’s international Jewellery department, with Sara Payne Thomeier joining in New York as Head of Jewels, Americas, SVP, and Cristel Tan joining in Singapore as International Jewellery Specialist, South East Asia. The addition of these well-regarded industry leaders will strengthen Phillips’ team of international specialists and broaden the range of expertise the auction house offers collectors.

Graeme Thompson, Worldwide Head of Jewellery, said, “Over the past few years, our team has established Phillips’ exceptional reputation in the field of 20th century and contemporary jewellery and defined our role in bringing emerging jewellery makers to the fore. With Sara and Cristel joining our dynamic international team, we will continue to provide best-in-class service to our dedicated and expanding community of collectors.”

Sara Payne Thomeier will join the team in New York as Head of Jewels, Americas, SVP. Beginning in her role on Monday, 3 May, she will lead the Jewellery Department in New York with a focus on guiding the specialist team and implementing the company’s international strategy. She will also be committed to deepening client relationships in the region and sourcing material for jewellery auctions in New York and Hong Kong. Ms. Thomeier joins Phillips with nearly two decades of experience, most recently serving as Executive Vice President and Jewellery Specialist at Gurr Johns International. She also spent nine years at Provockative Gems, Inc. and, prior to that, began her career at R.C.M. Gioelli srl.

In Asia, Cristel Tan has been appointed International Jewellery Specialist, South East Asia. Based in Singapore, Cristel will focus on developing Phillips’ client base and profile in Southeast Asia, an important and expansive market which is considered as a key component of the company’s expansion across Asia. She will also work closely with the Hong Kong team on business getting and supporting the jewellery auctions in Hong Kong and New York. Cristel is a Graduate Gemologist from the GIA and brings more than a decade of experience from Christie’s and Sotheby’s. She was most recently Head of Sale, Jewels for Sotheby’s Hong Kong, where she was instrumental in numerous record-breaking and landmark auctions across Hong Kong, Geneva and New York.

The extensive experience of these new appointees in the jewellery market and their understanding of the importance of client relationships will be a tremendous asset to Phillips’ entire international team.