Here’s How the Auction Houses Are Responding to Coronavirus

New York—The spread of the coronavirus has forced the closure of businesses worldwide as governments and communities work to curb the number of cases.

For the jewelry industry, this has led to the postponement or cancelation of a growing number of annual events and trade shows as well as retailers, manufacturers and suppliers ceasing operations until further notice.

It has also meant a retooling of calendars for auction houses, most of which had big sales scheduled for the spring.

Here’s what’s happening with seven of the larger auction houses—how scheduled sales have been affected, which offices are closed and more.

Christie’s
Christie’s has rescheduled its sales in Geneva and New York slated for the spring.

The house’s 20th Century Week in New York, planned for May 12 to 15, will now be held from June 23 to 26.

Geneva Luxury Week, scheduled for May 10 to 13, has been postponed until June 29 to July 1, and New York Classic Week has been moved from April 21 to 24 to June 8 to 12.

The following online sales will continue as planned: “Australian Art,” March 12 to 19; “Prints & Multiples,” March 18; and “Chieveley House, Berkshire and Five Private Collections,” March 19.

Meanwhile, all Christie’s offices and sales sites in the Americas, Europe and Middle East are closed with all employee teams working remotely.

Christie’s Hong Kong office has returned to normal open business hours, while Christie’s Beijing and Shanghai offices are operating with reduced staff on-site and remote working arrangements where necessary.

Seoul also is open with reduced hours and continued remote working arrangements for now; Tokyo is open with reduced staff on-site and limited hours.

Christie’s Bangkok and Jakarta offices are open to clients by appointment only.

Sotheby’s
Sotheby’s said it will make final decisions about each spring event approximately 30 days prior to the sale date and then alert all relevant parties.

The auction house has outlined the sales through March 31 on its website that will continue as scheduled, including the Fine Jewels sale in London March 24, though that is restricted to online and telephone bidding only.

It also highlighted events that have been postponed, including the Magnificent Jewels and Important Watches auctions slated for Hong Kong next month.

All online sales will continue as scheduled for now.

Sotheby’s also noted it’s technologically equipped to operate “in a variety of scenarios” and is considering