32ct ‘Desert Rose’ Diamond Sets Auction Record in Abu Dhabi

A remarkable 32-carat fancy vivid orangy-pink diamond has achieved a new auction record at Sotheby’s inaugural Collectors’ Week in Abu Dhabi. The stone, known as the Desert Rose, sold for $8.8 million, exceeding its high estimate of $7 million.

The pear-shaped, 31.68-carat, VVS1-clarity diamond presented unmounted headlined the Precision & Brilliance: Prestigious Jewels & Watches from an Important Private Collection sale on 5 December. Sotheby’s confirmed it is now the most valuable orangy-pink diamond ever sold at auction.

Collectors’ Week featured five curated sales spanning luxury categories including automobiles, real estate, handbags, watches, and high jewellery, marking a major milestone for Sotheby’s presence in the UAE.

The remaining top jewellery lots included:

• Tiffany & Co. Kashmir Sapphire Ring
  A 5.61-carat cushion-shaped Kashmir sapphire with round-diamond accents achieved $596,900, above its $550,000 high estimate.
• Boucheron Colombian Emerald Ring
  Featuring a 7.88-carat emerald framed by 14 pear- and marquise-shaped diamonds, this piece sold for $508,000, slightly above expectations.
• Cartier Colombian Emerald Ring
  Centred with a 4-carat step-cut emerald and flanked by pear-shaped diamonds, the ring reached $495,300, well beyond its $350,000 upper estimate.
• Fancy Colour Diamond Ear Clips
  Set with 14 pear-shaped diamonds including D- to F-colour stones and fancy pink and fancy green gems the pair fetched $215,900, surpassing its $200,000 high estimate.

Other Top Jewellery Highlights

Patek Philippe Star Caliber 2000 Set
A complete set of four double-dialled clock watches in yellow gold, white gold, pink gold and platinum realised $11.9 million, achieving expectations.

Rolex Daytona “Albino” (circa 1971)
An exceptionally rare model sold for $952,500, narrowly missing its upper estimate.

Source: DCLA

$20m Pink Diamond Pulled from Sotheby’s Sale

The Glowing Rose, a 10.08-carat vivid pink diamond that was expected to sell for around $20m was pulled from Sotheby’s High Jewelry Sale in Geneva last week.

It was withdrawn prior to the sale on 12 November. A notice on the Sotheby’s website simply says: “This lot is no longer available.”

The cushion-modified brilliant VVS2 stone (pictured), set in a platinum band featuring baguette and brilliant cut white diamonds, would have been only the third vivid pink cushion-cut diamond over 10 carats to come to auction in the last 10 years.

It was cut from a 21-carat Type IIa rough stone recovered in 2023, from a mine in Angola and was due to appear at auction for the first time.

Two days earlier (10 November) another pink diamond pulled from another sale, The old-cut Golconda 6.95-carat fancy vivid purplish pink diamond was due to lead the sale was withdrawn by Phillips from its Geneva Jewels Auction: V event, in agreement with the consignor.

The Sotheby’s High Jewelry Sale generated around $37m, with 94 per cent of lots sold and 98 per cent of the sold lots exceeding their estimates.

Top lot was a 4.50-carat internally flawless oval mixed-cut fancy vivid blue diamond that achieved more than $5.9m.

Source: DCLA

Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Leads Sotheby’s Sale

Treasures that once belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte are to be offered for sale by Sotheby’s Geneva on 12 November.

Details of the auction were revealed on Friday (24 October), less than a week after the devastating raid on the Louvre, in which items from the French crown jewels, valued at over $100m, were stolen.

Highlight of the Royal & Noble Jewels Sale is Napoleon’s unique brooch featuring old mine and mazarin-cut diamonds that was pinned to his hat during the 1815 Battle of Waterloo.

At its center is a large oval diamond weighing 13.04 carats, surrounded by nearly 100 old mine-cut diamonds arranged in two concentric rows.

The brooch was seized by the victorious Prussian army as the defeated Napoleon fled.

It appears for the first time at auction with an estimate of CHF 120,000 to 200,000 (USD 150,000 to 250,000).

“In his haste to flee Waterloo, where his armies had been overwhelmed by the combined forces of the British and Prussian armies, Napoleon had to abandon some of his carriages when they got stuck in a muddy road a few miles away from the battlefield – including the carriage containing those precious belongings,” Sotheby’s said.

Three days later the brooch was presented to Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III as a battle trophy.

It remained within the House of Hohenzollern for centuries, and passed down to emperors of Germany. It has been part of a different private collection for the last few years.

Source: DCLA

Sotheby’s to Sell 31.86 carat Pink Diamond in Abu Dhabi

Sotheby’s is to offer for sale the largest fancy vivid orangy pink diamond ever graded, at a debut event in Abu Dhabi in December.

The pear-shaped gem, known as the Desert Rose, weighs 31.86 carats and is expected to fetch $5m to $7m.

It is the jewelry highlight of Sotheby’s inaugural Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week of exhibitions, sales, masterclasses and panel discussions.

The Desert Rose is part of a single-owner collection of watches and jewelry, including vintage and contemporary signed pieces, that is estimated to raise more than $20m in total.

Among the watch highlights is an exceptionally rare Rolex “Oyster Albino” Daytona, reference 6263, produced in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with an estimate of $500,000 to $1m.

Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week takes place from 2 – 5 December on Saadiyat Island, just off the Abu Dhabi coast.

It coincides with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and features auctions of collector cars, real estate, and international fine art exhibitions.

Source: DCL

Unique Patek Philippe Sells for $4.3m

A unique Patek Philippe watch sold for $4.3m at Sotheby’s New York – the highest price realized by the auction house for a timepiece this year.

But it was well below the $7.75m achieved by the same watch when it changed hands at Sotheby’s Hong Kong.

The pink gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, was made in 1957 and was sold by the Milan-based retailer Gobbi Milano.

It was one of just nine made and is the only one known to still exist.

A private collector paid $4.3m for the watch, which had a pre-sale estimate of $3m to $5m. It led the Important Watches: Take a Minute sale last Tuesday (10 June).

In 2007 the watch sold for CHF 2.7m ($2,.2m at historic exchange rate) at Christie’s Geneva.

Source: DCLA

Dazzling Diamonds and Storied Provenance Headline Sotheby’s New York High Jewellery Auction

Sotheby’s New York is set to host an extraordinary High Jewellery auction on 13 June, featuring 110 remarkable lots — many of them centred around colourless and fancy coloured diamonds. This exclusive sale not only showcases some of the most important stones on the market today but also brings to light jewellery with historic provenance, including pieces from the Vanderbilt and Wade families, and a private collection chronicling a decades-long romance.

The Crown Jewel: 35.01ct Graff Diamond Ring
Leading the sale is a breathtaking 35.01-carat emerald-cut diamond ring from luxury jeweller Graff. This D-colour, VVS2 clarity diamond is described as “highly important,” and is expected to fetch between USD $2 million and $3 million (approximately AUD $3 million to $4.5 million). It’s one of 13 spectacular jewels from a private collection titled Joie de Vivre: Journey in Jewels — a tribute to a husband’s enduring love, with each piece gifted to his wife throughout a 60-year marriage.

Another standout from the same collection is a pair of emerald and diamond earclips by Graff, boasting four sugarloaf cabochon emeralds weighing a total of approximately 84 carats. These exceptional earrings carry a presale estimate of USD $800,000 – $1.5 million.

Additional highlights from this private collection include:

An aquamarine and diamond bracelet: USD $40,000 – $60,000

A jade and diamond pendant-brooch, circa 1910s: USD $25,000 – $35,000

Fancy Colours Steal the Spotlight
The number two lot of the sale is a striking 5.02-carat fancy pink diamond ring with VS2 clarity, estimated at USD $1.5 million – $2.5 million. Following closely is a 2.02-carat fancy vivid blue diamond ring, cut in a modified rectangular mixed style, with an estimate of USD $1.4 million – $1.8 million.

Also drawing significant attention is a pair of flawless D-colour pear-shaped diamonds weighing 10.32 and 10.11 carats respectively. Both diamonds are rated “excellent” in polish and symmetry, with a combined estimate of USD $1.1 million – $1.5 million.

American Legacy: Vanderbilt and Wade Family Heirlooms
Among the historic highlights is a ruby and diamond sautoir by Marcus & Co., dating back to circa 1915. The centrepiece is a 9.60-carat unheated Burmese ruby, surrounded by old European-cut diamonds and accented with calibre-cut rubies. This important jewel is estimated at USD $1 million – $2 million and once belonged to Emily Vanderbilt Wade, the great-granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt and daughter of Rhode Island Governor William Henry Vanderbilt III.

Three other Vanderbilt Wade jewels will also go under the hammer:

Cartier Art Deco diamond bracelet: Estimated at USD $60,000 – $80,000

Rene Lalique Art Nouveau pendant: Crafted from gold, enamel, emerald and pearl, circa 1900, with an estimate of USD $20,000 – $30,000

Multistone tassel sautoir: Featuring rubies, emeralds, pearls, diamonds and enamel, and possibly designed by Paulding Farnham of Tiffany & Co., with an estimate of USD $40,000 – $60,000

A Rare Opportunity for Collectors and Connoisseurs
This Sotheby’s auction is not only a chance to acquire some of the world’s most exquisite diamonds and gemstones but also to own a piece of history. With provenance linking to America’s most prominent families and jewellery houses such as Graff, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co., the pieces represent both artistic excellence and emotional legacy.

For collectors, investors, and jewellery lovers alike, 13 June will mark a significant date on the global jewellery calendar.

Source: DCLA

Al Capone’s Diamond-Studded Patek Philippe Pocket Watch Heads to Sotheby’s Auction

Al Capone’s Diamond-Encrusted Pocket Watch to Be Auctioned at Sotheby’s

A dazzling piece of underworld history is heading to auction: Al Capone’s custom diamond-studded pocket watch, crafted from platinum and set with 90 diamonds, will go under the hammer at Sotheby’s next month. The extraordinary Patek Philippe timepiece, dripping in gangster-era flair and opulence, is expected to fetch between USD $80,000 and $160,000.

Nearly a century before “bust-down” watches became a mainstay in hip-hop culture, Capone was already setting trends. Dissatisfied with the understated design of his factory-made Patek Philippe, the infamous Chicago mob boss commissioned a local jeweller to completely rework it. The result? A solid platinum case housing the original movement, with a striking caseback spelling out “AC” in 90 single-cut diamonds—a bold, custom feature unheard of at the time.

“This type of gem-setting would have been extremely rare during that period,” says Geoff Hess, Sotheby’s Global Head of Watches. “Capone wasn’t just ahead of his time as a criminal—he was ahead of his time in style.”

This is not the first time Capone’s lavish timepiece has appeared at auction. In 2021, it was sold alongside other personal items—including his diamond tie bar and favourite Colt .45 pistol—by his descendants through Witherells, a California-based auction house. Estimated at $25,000 to $50,000, the watch far exceeded expectations, fetching $229,900.

While the dial shows signs of age and the minute hand is missing, the watch remains a compelling piece of Americana. It’s less a horological grail than a conversation-starting symbol of 20th-century notoriety and excess. Today, collectors tend to frown upon aftermarket diamonds, especially in vintage watches—but this piece is a bold exception. Capone’s customised pocket watch stands as a testament to his legacy: extravagant, defiant, and unmistakably iconic.

10 Carat Burmese Ruby Ring Sells for USD $5.5 Million at Sotheby’s Auction

A stunning 10.33-carat Burmese ruby fetched an impressive $5.5 million at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York, following a heated six-minute bidding battle between two phone bidders and one participant in the saleroom. The final sale price more than doubled its high estimate.

This cushion-shaped, untreated ruby, set in a ring alongside two pear-shaped diamonds, emerged as the highlight of the 96 lot auction, which achieved a total of $30 million. Notably, 92% of the lots were sold, with 70% exceeding their high estimates.

The auction underscored a strong appetite for rare colored gemstones, exceptional white and colored diamonds, and signed pieces from renowned names like Graff, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Boivin.

Red and Pink Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Sale

A 16.73 carat very light pink diamond is expected to sell for CHF 1.1m to CHF 1.8m ($1.3m to $2m) in Sotheby’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels Sale.

Another highlight of the sale, which features many colored diamonds, is a 1.44 carat fancy red diamond (the rarest of all diamond colors) from Australia’s iconic Argyle mine.

They’ll be offered for sale next week (13 November) in a live auction of 88 lots, including pieces by Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany, Bulgari and JAR, spanning 250 years of jewelry history.

The pink diamond is claw-set in a ring, VVS1-clarity, natural color with a brilliant cut. The red diamond is also claw-set in a ring, with a cut-cornered rectangular mixed cut, together with an Argyle mine presentation case.

“The sale is a celebration of exceptional craftsmanship, with signed jewels from the most esteemed makers of the 20th century,” says Sotheby’s. The sale also offers a number of coloured diamonds of outstanding quality and size, within the rarest of colors.”

Source: IDEX

Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond ‘Tie’ Necklace Fetches $3.6 Million

An important and rare Van Cleef & Arpels diamond “Tie” necklace smashed its estimate and blew past other impressive gems and jewels to become the top lot at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction, held Friday in New York.

The necklace, circa 1929, composed of graduated links set with variously cut diamonds with elongated tassels that partially rotate, sold for $3.6 million, triple its high estimate of $1.2 million, after a six-minute battle between seven bidders.

It was one of the few marquee items in the sale of 95 lots, a low number for a major New York auction. However, many of the items offered were highly collectible and wearable as shown by the overall results. For example, the sale achieved $30 million, near its $35 million high estimate, with 90% of lots sold and 62% of sold lots achieving prices above their high estimate. Sotheby’s said persons from 30 countries participated in the auction, placing more than 1,200 bids. In addition, seven out of the 10 most valuable jewels in the sale achieved more than $1 million. Art Deco jewels, Kashmir sapphires and white diamonds all performed well.

Quig Bruning, Sotheby’s Head of Jewels for Americas & EMEA, credits Sotheby’s new lower buying premium, set at 20%, for the strong overall results.

“We’re encouraged to see that two-thirds of jewels have sold above their high estimates since our lower buyer’s premium came into effect on May 20, confirming that a fairer fee structure is the definition of client-first, and not only encourages more buyers to participate at auction, but also reiterates that Sotheby’s is open to all.”

See more: Forbes

Flawless 53 carat Diamond Could Sell for $5m

A 53.04 carat D colour, internally flawless diamond is expected to fetch up to $5m when it is sold a Sotheby’s New York.

The Type IIa pear-shaped lose stone will lead the Magnificent Jewels sale on 7 June.

A GIA report from last November describes the diamond as having very good polish, good symmetry and no fluorescence.

The diamond, which carries an estimate of $3m to $5m, will be among the first items sold under Sotheby’s new price structure (introduced on 20 May) under which buyers pay a reduced premium – down by 26m per cent on their purchases.

Another highlight of the auction, also with a $3m to $5m estimate, is a David Morris necklace of Kashmir sapphires 2.40 cts to 11.37 cts and graduated oval-shaped diamonds.

Source: DCLA

55.55ct. Diamond Steals Spotlight at Sotheby’s Hong Kong

An unmounted 55.55-carat diamond was the top seller at the most recent Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong, bringing in HKD 45.2 million ($5.8 million).

The price for the oval brilliant-cut, D-flawless stone, named the Fortune Five, fell within its HKD 38 million to HKD 50 million ($4.9 million to $6.4 million) presale estimate, Sotheby’s said Saturday. In total, the April 6 Magnificent Jewels sale garnered HKD 285.7 million ($36.5 million), with 76% of items finding buyers.

Colored diamonds and gemstones proved popular choices, comprising half of the best sellers, as were jewels from well-known design houses, including Graff, Harry Winston, & Tiffany & Co.

Here are the rest of the top 10 items at the sale:

This ring, set with a cushion-shaped, 7.01-carat, fancy-vivid-yellowish-orange, VS2-clarity diamond, smashed its $2 million upper estimate to fetch HKD 29.5 million ($3.8 million).

A Harry Winston ring bearing a cushion-shaped, 16.65-carat Kashmir sapphire flanked by two triangular diamonds just missed its high price, bringing in HKD 19.8 million ($2.5 million).

Sotheby’s sold this ring featuring a cushion-shaped, 5.07-carat, pigeon’s blood Burmese ruby surrounded by diamonds for HKD 12.7 million ($1.6 million), just under its lower estimate.

A ring with a cushion-shaped, 66.44-carat, fancy-intense-yellow, VS2-clarity diamond, offered without reserve, went for HKD 11.6 million ($1.5 million), a bit shy of its upper presale price.

A necklace with 29 intense-green jadeite beads secured by a ruby and diamond clasp realized HKD 10.7 million ($1.4 million), within its expected range.

This unmounted emerald-cut, 20.19-carat, D-flawless, type IIa diamond garnered HKD 10.7 million ($1.4 million), within its presale price parameters.

A pair of earrings, each set with a step-cut Colombian emerald — one weighing 10.84 carats and the other 9.79 carats — and diamonds, beat predictions to yield HKD 10.4 million ($1.3 million).

This Harry Winston ring containing a pear-shaped, 15.26-carat, D-color, VVS1-clarity diamond center stone achieved HKD 7.7 million ($989,602), falling slightly below its HKD 7.8 million ($1 million) lower presale price.

A ring by Graff set with an oval-shaped, 10.02-carat, D-flawless diamond, between two heart-shaped diamonds, brought in HKD 7 million ($892,264), within its original range.

Source: DCLA

Colored Diamonds and Jadeite to Shine at Sotheby’s Hong Kong

A ring with a rare fancy-vivid-yellowish-orange diamond is set to lead the upcoming Sotheby’s jewelry sale in Hong Kong, which will take place during its luxury week.

The auction house has not disclosed the estimate for the cushion-shaped, 7.01-carat, VS2-clarity diamond it will offer at the April 6 Magnificent Jewels event.

Along with that stone, Sotheby’s will feature several other colored diamonds in its top 10, as well as jadeite pieces. Jewels from well-known design houses, including Harry Winston, Graff, Chopard, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, and Boucheron, will also take center stage.

Here are the rest of the top 10 jewels Sotheby’s will offer at the auction:

This unmounted oval brilliant-cut, 55.55-carat, D-flawless, type IIa diamond has a presale estimate of HKD 38 million to HKD 50 million ($4.9 million to $6.4 million).

A ring with a heart-shaped, 10.33-carat, fancy-intense-orangey-pink, VVS1-clarity diamond is estimated to fetch HKD 25.3 million to HKD 40 million ($3.2 million to $5.1 million).

Sotheby’s will sell this ring bearing a round-cornered rectangular modified brilliant-cut, 4.01-carat, fancy-intense-purplish-pink, internally flawless diamond for up to HKD 30 million ($3.8 million).

This necklace, containing 18 oval jadeite cabochons with brilliant-cut diamonds, is estimated to bring in up to HKD 28 million ($3.6 million).

A collection featuring a detachable pendant necklace, composed of seven oval jadeite cabochons as well as diamonds, in addition to a pair of earrings and a ring will be offered for HKD 18 million ($2.3 million) to HKD 28 million.

A ring by Jacques Timey for Harry Winston contains a cushion-shaped, 16.65-carat Kashmir sapphire flanked by two triangular-shaped diamonds. It carries a presale estimate of HKD 17 million to HKD 20 million
($2.2 million to $2.6 million).

This jadeite bangle is set to go under the hammer at the Hong Kong auction, where it has a price range of HKD 16.8 million to HKD 22 million
($2.1 million to $2.8 million).

A ring with a cushion-shaped, 5.07-carat, pigeon’s blood Burmese ruby surrounded by epaulette- and marquise-shaped diamonds is due to bring in between HKD 12.8 million ($1.6 million) and HKD 18 million.

Another jadeite collection, comprising a necklace set with 14 oval jadeite cabochons and brilliant-cut, pear- and marquise-shaped diamonds, together with a ring and a pair of earrings, has a price range of HKD 12 million ($1.5 million) to HKD 18 million.

Source: DCLA

Iconic Pieces Loom Large at Sotheby’s Single-Owner Sale

Sotheby’s is set to offer over 180 iconic pieces of jewelry belonging to a single owner, featuring items such as Van Cleef & Arpels’ famous Zip necklace, a Cartier Panthère and a Bulgari Serpenti.

The event, called From the Vault: Exceptional Signed Jewels, will take place on March 7 during the company’s New York Luxury sales, it said Tuesday. The auction house curated the collection with a special focus on iconic motifs, it added.

Prices for the pieces, all signed by well-known design houses, range from $3,000 to $3 million. The top item is a matching necklace and earrings set by Asprey, comprising 50 graduated round, fancy-vivid-yellow diamonds and one round, fancy-intense-yellow diamond weighing a total of 55.26 carats, accented with white diamonds. It is estimated to bring in between $2 million and $3 million.

Here are some of the other pieces that will be offered at the auction:

This Harry Winston necklace was designed by François Tavernier as a line of round diamonds bordered by alternating pear- and marquise-shaped diamonds. The piece, which can be detached into several sections, has a presale range of $1.2 million to $1.8 million.

A Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet set with baguette, tapered baguette, square-cut and round diamonds weighing a total of 27.54 carats, and 47.63 carats of Burmese, Kashmir and Ceylon sapphires, is expected to fetch $1 million to $1.5 million at the auction.

Sotheby’s will sell this cut-cornered rectangular modified brilliant-cut, 41.02-carat, fancy-intense-yellow diamond ring for up to $1.2 million.

A Van Cleef & Arpels Bals de Légende necklace bearing cabochon emeralds and round, baguette, pear, marquise, square and oval diamonds is estimated to fetch $500,000 to $700,000.

This Zip necklace — composed of herringbone links bordered by heart motifs and accented by round diamonds — can be converted into a bracelet. The Van Cleef & Arpels piece, which comes with matching tassel ear clips, has an estimate of $400,000 to $600,000.

A Bulgari Serpenti necklace set with round diamonds and pear-shaped diamond eyes is set to go for $300,000 to $500,000.

A Cartier diamond, emerald and onyx Panthère cuff bracelet will also go up for sale. It carries a price tag of $100,000 to $150,000.

Source: DCLA

21 ct Yellow Harry Winston Diamond Could Fetch $1.4m

A 21.38 carat Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond is to be auctioned tomorrow (31 January) at Sotheby’s Hong Kong with an estimate of HKD 8,000,000 to 11,000,000 HKD ($1m to $1.4m).

The radiant-cut VS1 gem is flanked by two tapered baguette diamonds, mounted in platinum and 18 karat yellow gold, inscribed HW (Harry Winston).

The FCRF (Fancy Color Research Foundation) gives the stone a visual score of 7 out of 12. It says the stone looks slightly larger in relation to its weight, which is an important feature to consider when buying color diamonds.

“A large vivid yellow radiant cut diamond features a low inner grade and prominent colorless patches around the crown area,” it reports. “No significant green or brown undertone is visible in the hue.”

The stone leads the live Important Jewels auction, Sotheby’s first jewelry auction of the year in Hong Kong, comprising a selection of diamonds, colored stones, jadeites and signed jewels.

Source: IDEX

Sotheby’s New York Sale Nabs $13M

Sotheby’s raked in $13.1 million at its most recent jewelry sale in New York, with more than half of the goods surpassing their high estimates.

The lead item at the September 12 Important Jewels sale was a Harry Winston ring set with a round, 15.18-carat, E-color, VS2-clarity diamond, which brought in $69,440 per carat, for a total of $1.1 million, Sotheby’s said Wednesday. That amount was well above its $750,000 upper estimate.

Overall, Sotheby’s sold 84% of jewels on offer at the auction.

Source: rapaport.com

303ct. Golden Canary Sets Sales Soaring at Sotheby’s

                       303ct. Golden Canary

The 303.10-carat Golden Canary fetched $12.4 million at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels in New York on Wednesday, becoming the third most valuable yellow diamond ever sold at auction, the company reported.

The pear-shaped, fancy-deep-brownish-yellow stone is the world’s largest known internally flawless diamond. It is also the largest flawless or internally flawless diamond graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Sotheby’s said Thursday.  The auction house offered the piece without reserve, but predicted it would bring in more than $15 million.

The diamond was initially discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the early 1980s. Originally called the Incomparable Diamond, the stone was recut from its previous 407-carat shield shape to deepen the color and brighten the hue.

“The Golden Canary captivated me from the moment I saw it — with its monumental size, golden hue and impeccable clarity — it is truly an extraordinary diamond with immense presence,” said Quig Bruning, head of jewelry for the Americas at Sotheby’s.

Source: DCLA

11.15-Carat Internally Flawless Pink Diamond Could Fetch $21 Million

 11.15-Carat Internally Flawless Pink Diamond Could Fetch $21 Million

            11.5-carat Williamson Pink Star diamond 

The second largest internally flawless fancy vivid pink diamond to ever appear at auction was unveiled Wednesday in London by Sotheby’s. The 11.15-carat Williamson Pink Star will be sold in a single-lot auction in Hong Kong on October 5. Its estimate is $21 million.

The auction house says it has the potential to set a new per carat price record for a fancy vivid pink diamond.

“We do have the confidence that it will find a great collector and have the interest of multiple parties,” Wenhao Yu, chairman of Jewellery and Watches at Sotheby’s Asia, told Forbes on Tuesday. “It has the potential to reach a very strong price.”

He adds, “This diamond truly checks all the boxes. It has the best qualities you can have in a pink diamond.”

The current price per carat auction record for a fancy vivid pink diamond is $2,656,909 for the 18.96-carat Winston Pink Legacy, sold in 2018 by Christie’s Geneva. The largest internally flawless, fancy vivid pink diamond offered at auction is the 59.60-carat CTF Pink Star. It was sold by Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 2017 for $71.2 million, a world record for any gem or jewel sold at auction.

Yu compares the Williamson Pink Star to an exceptional work of art.

“We timed this lot to be offered between Sotheby’s modern and contemporary art auctions. That’s because instead of offering just another important diamond, we view this diamond as a work of art from mother earth and a wonder of nature,” Yu says. “It’s comparable to a Monet or a Picasso and is even more rare.”

The Williamson Pink Star is the second largest internally flawless fancy vivid pink diamond

The Williamson mine is one of the oldest operating diamond mines in the world, famous for producing what is described as “bubblegum” pink diamonds, according to the auction house. One of the best-known diamonds from the mine is the 23.6-carat Williamson Pink Diamond fashioned into a brooch by Cartier and owned by Queen Elizabeth II.

“We wanted to relate the important provenance of the Williamson mine when naming the diamond,” Yu says. “The unique saturated pink color is one of the important qualities of diamonds from this mine. It is an honor for us that after so many decades another important pink diamond comes from the Williamson mine and we can offer it at auction.”

The cushion-shaped diamond was crafted from a 32.32-carat rough diamond by Diacore, a diamond manufacturer that specializes in crafting rare, exceptional fancy-colored diamonds. The company purchased the gem in late 2021 for $13.8 million. Yu says crafting the diamond is just as important as discovering it, and Diacore is one of the few companies in the world capable of cutting and polishing such an important gem.

The Williamson Pink Star is mounted in an 18k gold ring flanked by trapeze

“Not every rough can yield a diamond of this high quality so we should also give credit to Diacore,” he says. “They really made cutting and polishing into an art. They are very skilled and experienced with the best technology and a lot of courage. It’s rare to have a vivid pink color. It’s rarer when it’s over 10 carats and even more rare if it’s internally flawless. It’s luck to find this kind of diamond that was formed underground for millions of years, and it takes a great amount of art and creativity to fashion it into a gorgeous stone with so many exceptional qualities.”

Pink diamonds are among the rarest colors to occur naturally in diamonds. Of all the diamonds submitted to the Gemological Institute of America (which analyzes and grades diamonds), fewer than 3% are classified as colored diamonds, and fewer than 5% of those are considered predominantly pink.

The Argyle Mine in Australia, before it was retired in 2020 after exhausting its supply of gem-quality diamonds, produced more than 90% of the world’s pink diamonds. The absence of pink diamonds from this mine makes important pink diamonds like the one being offered even more rare, Yu says.

“Pink diamonds are still growing in demand in the market, and this now makes the Williamson Pink Star even more sought after,” he says.

The diamond is being presented in an 18k gold ring flanked by trapeze-cut diamonds and embellished with brilliant-cut diamonds.

London is the first stop where the diamond will be viewed by the public. It will then travel to Dubai, Singapore and Taipei before the final viewing and sale in Hong Kong.

Source: DCLA