Despite the fact that many folks have had to keep a sharp eye on their budgets when holiday shopping in this uncertain economy, the demand by some for diamonds and other precious stones sent prices soaring at auctions this month.

The 35 pieces of jewelry from the collections of the late Estee Lauder, founder of the cosmetics empire that bears her name, and of her late daughter-in-law Evelyn H. Lauder sold at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels Auction for $22,248,250, which was well above the high estimate of $18 million. The jewelry was sold to benefit The Breast Cancer Foundation, founded by Evelyn Lauder.