Catriona Nunn In this month’s Alumni Voices, we had the pleasure of chatting with Caroline Morrissey, the Jewellery Director at Bonhams New York. Join us as we delve into her experiences at York, her fascinating journey into the jewellery industry and her current role as an accomplished auctioneer.
“I’ve always been drawn to diamonds. From the moment I finished school, I knew they would play a central role in my life and career. Growing up in Edinburgh, my interest in jewellery was sparked at 15, when one of my good friend’s parents, who owned two jewellery stores, asked if I’d help out during the Christmas season. My job was to pierce ears and sell silver, but as time went on, I started learning about diamonds. It was when they asked me to sell a diamond engagement ring that everything clicked for me. I realised I had a deep fascination with these stones — how they’re valued, their rarity, and their allure.
That early experience solidified my passion, and I made sure to gain as much knowledge and experience as possible. I worked Saturdays during my last two years of school, learning everything I could about jewellery, especially diamonds. By the time I left for university, I had already developed a foundation that would guide the rest of my career.
Choosing the University of York was a strategic decision for me. I didn’t want to stay in Edinburgh, where I felt the social circles were too small, and everyone knew everyone else’s business. York offered me a chance to spread my wings in a new environment, while still being close enough to home that it wasn’t a daunting move. My uncle also lectured in Economics at York, and that added a comforting layer of familiarity. I chose to study Economics and Politics, knowing that these subjects could be applied to almost any career path, including the one I was already set on: diamonds.
Looking back, my time at York was transformative. It wasn’t just about the academics, though I did thoroughly enjoy my studies. The real impact came from the independence I found, the friendships I built, and my involvement in hockey. Playing for the university and my college wasn’t just a hobby; it became a huge part of my social life and my sense of belonging. In fact, I still look back fondly on the Sunday roasts we’d have at the Charles after games, and celebrating at the Derramore after each match.
“It was when they asked me to sell a diamond engagement ring that everything clicked for me. I realised I had a deep fascination with these stones — how they’re valued, their rarity, and their allure.”
I’ll never forget one hockey match where I was carted off in an ambulance after being whacked in the knee. These experiences, as dramatic as they were at the time, are some of my fondest memories. Even being burgled in my second year didn’t dampen my love for my time at York — it just added to the many stories I have from those three years.
In my final year, I had the opportunity to marry my academic interests with my passion for diamonds when I chose to write my thesis on conflict diamonds. Back then, conflict diamonds weren’t widely discussed, and I remember my professors being somewhat unimpressed with my choice of topic at first. But as the research unfolded, it became clear that this was a critical and timely issue. In fact, my thesis ended up being used as an example for many years after I graduated, which is something I’m very proud of. The idea was simple: by choosing a fresh, unexamined topic, I avoided the competition that came with more traditional subjects like “The Rise of the Railways,” which had already been covered by top academics. Conflict diamonds allowed me to explore the political and economic ramifications of the diamond trade, and it gave me a deep understanding of the ethical issues surrounding the industry I was entering.
During my time at York, I also stayed connected to the jewellery world, thanks to a piece of advice from my friend’s father. He encouraged me to get experience with one of the major players in the industry, which led me to send applications to hundreds of companies. To my delight, Cartier in London responded, and I spent an internship there between my first and second year. Working for such a prestigious brand opened my eyes to the broader jewellery market and piqued my curiosity about where these diamonds came from. That curiosity led me to Antwerp.
Antwerp is the heart of the diamond trade, and I was determined to be part of it. I downloaded the Diamond Dealer’s Directory of Antwerp and applied for an internship. That summer, I got a placement that would shape the rest of my career. After graduating from York, I moved straight to Belgium to start my first job in the diamond business, before returning for my graduation ceremony.
My time in Antwerp was eye-opening, and I quickly realised that the diamond trade wasn’t as glamorous as people imagine. It’s a male-dominated industry, and I faced misogyny on a daily basis. The men I dealt with wouldn’t even look at me, let alone shake my hand or return my calls. If I had a client waiting for a stone, they’d ignore my request, but if my male colleague asked for the same thing, they’d bring it immediately. It was a harsh lesson in how tough I’d need to be to survive in this industry.
But I did survive, and eventually, I got an offer to work in New York. It was my mother who pushed me to take the leap, saying, “You can always come home, but you might not get another offer in New York.” I’m so glad I listened to her. From the moment I arrived, I fell in love with the city and the pace of the industry here.
“Jewellery holds memories, and that makes my role as much about understanding people as it is about valuing diamonds.”
Today, I’m the Jewellery Director at Bonhams in New York, where I’ve been for the past two decades. I’ve worked my way up, gaining experience outside of the auction world, which allowed me to join Bonhams as a senior specialist. What I love most about my job is the diversity. No two days are the same, and every sale is different. We deal with a range of jewellery, clients, and situations, which keeps the job exciting and dynamic.
One of the most memorable moments of my career happened in June of this year when I stood on the podium as an auctioneer and sold three magnificent diamonds, with each one making more than $1.5 million. The rush you get when selling seven-figure items, let alone three, is something I will never forget. Becoming an auctioneer has been a huge accomplishment for me, and it’s something I’m incredibly proud of.
But this job isn’t all glitz and glamour. It’s exhausting. In the run-up to a sale, I’m often away from home for weeks at a time, touring pieces to various offices and meeting clients around the world. My team works tirelessly to photograph and catalogue hundreds of items, and everything has to be perfect. There’s a lot of pressure, but I thrive on it.
Jewellery is incredibly emotional for people, and part of my job is to navigate that. Whether it’s someone selling a loved one’s jewellery after they’ve passed away or someone parting with pieces they no longer wear, there’s often a deep connection to the items. I once met a woman who had a diamond bracelet that she never wore, but she couldn’t bring herself to sell it because it had belonged to her grandmother. To her, selling the bracelet would have felt like selling her grandmother. Jewellery holds memories, and that makes my role as much about understanding people as it is about valuing diamonds.
In the auction world, we often joke that we deal with the three Ds: divorce, debt, and death. People come to us when they need to sell, whether it’s for financial reasons or because they’re downsizing their collection. We also see a lot of families trying to avoid conflict after a loved one passes away by selling the jewellery ahead of time. It’s always a delicate situation, and my job is to make sure people feel comfortable and confident in the process.
The auction world has changed a lot since I started, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bonhams, like many other large companies, had to adapt quickly to a digital-first approach. Before the pandemic, we had a few online sales, but within months, we had transformed our entire operation to conduct most of our sales online. Now, we have weekly online auctions, and the majority of our buyers participate digitally. It’s been an exciting evolution for the industry, and it’s allowed us to reach a global audience like never before.
Looking back on my journey, I can say without hesitation that I love what I do. It’s demanding and sometimes overwhelming, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I feel incredibly lucky to have found a career that pushes me to my limits while also bringing me immense satisfaction. The lessons I learned at York — about independence, resilience, and pursuing what you love — have stayed with me throughout my career. It was at York that I first realised I could carve my own path, and that’s exactly what I’ve done.
I’ve come a long way since my days of selling silver and piercing ears, but my passion for diamonds has remained the same. And as long as there are diamonds to be sold and stories to be told, I’ll be right where I am, doing what I love.”
