Policies & IssuesFeb 03, 2026
Tariff Relief on Horizon for India as Trump, Modi Make DealPresident Trump said he has reached a trade deal with India, which, when made official, will bring relief to the country’s diamond industry.
AuctionsMay 31, 2016
‘Aurora Green’ Diamond Sells for $16.8M at Christie’s
The 5.03-carat fancy vivid green diamond, purchased by Chow Tai Fook, now is the most expensive green diamond ever sold at auction.
The Aurora Green is a rectangular-cut, fancy vivid green diamond of VS2 clarity surrounded by circular-cut pink diamonds. It is the largest fancy vivid green natural color diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America as of Jan 20.
Hong Kong--A 5.03-carat fancy vivid green diamond is the latest big hulking hunk of carbon to set an auction record.
The “Aurora Green” garnered $16.8 million, or $3.3 million per carat, when it hit the auction block at Christie’s Hong Kong Tuesday, becoming the most expensive green diamond ever sold at auction. Hong Kong-based manufacturer and retailer Chow Tai Fook Jewellery purchased the stone.
The previous auction record for a green diamond was held by the “Ocean Dream,” a 5.5-carat fancy vivid blue-green diamond that sold for $8.6 million at Christie’s Geneva in May 2014.
The Aurora Green led Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale, which totaled $60.7 million. When taking into account the jewels that were offered in the anniversary to celebrate the auction house’s 30th anniversary in Asia, jewelry sales Tuesday were $85 million.
This signed Faidee bracelet features three lines of cushion-shaped Burmese rubies, weighing approximately 4.22 to 1.02 carats, alternating with cushion-shaped diamonds and accented by pear-shaped diamonds. It was the second highest-grossing lot in the Magnificent Jewels sale, selling for $3.5 million to a private buyer.
A second green diamond was at the top of Christie’s Hong Kong sale. This ring, set with a 2.08-carat cushion-shaped fancy vivid bluish-green diamond and circular-cut white and pink diamonds mounted in gold, garnered $2.2 million, or approximately $1 million per carat.
This cylindrical jadeite bangle with a width of approximately 9 mm and thickness of approximately 8.8 mm went for $2 million to a private buyer.
This bracelet featuring six oval jadeite cabochons, alternating with circular-cut diamond collets and mounted in gold, sold for $1.9 million to London-based Moussaieff Jewellers.
Other jewels that topped the auction include a Burmese ruby and diamond bracelet by Faidee that sold under its pre-sale estimate when it garnered $3.5 million from a private buyer and a fancy vivid bluish-green, VS1 diamond weighing 2.08 carats that sold for $2.2 million.
Rounding out the top five lots were a cylindrical jadeite bangle for $2 million and a jadeite and diamond bracelet purchased by London’s Moussaieff Jewellers for $1.9 million.
The full list of results can be found on Christies.com.
More on Auctions
The Latest
CollectionsFeb 03, 2026
Jade Trau Releases New Charms, Introduces RondellesThe designer’s latest collection takes inspiration from her classic designs, reimagining the motifs in new forms.
WatchesFeb 03, 2026
Casio America Calls Jersey City HomeThe watchmaker moved its U.S. headquarters to a space it said fosters creativity and forward-thinking solutions in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
SourcingFeb 03, 2026
Nivoda Reveals Upgraded Gemstone MarketplaceThe company also announced a new partnership with GemGuide and the pending launch of an education-focused membership program.
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingFeb 02, 2026
IGI to Acquire American Gemological Laboratories IGI is buying the colored gemstone grading laboratory through IGI USA, and AGL will continue to operate as its own brand.
CrimeFeb 02, 2026
Ylang 23’s Dallas Store BurglarizedThe Texas jeweler said its team is “incredibly resilient” and thanked its community for showing support.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
EditorsFeb 02, 2026
Stars Choose Chokers, Elongated Earrings at 2026 GrammysFrom cool-toned metal to ring stacks, Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the jewelry trends she spotted at the Grammy Awards.
CollectionsFeb 02, 2026
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the fact that the 2026 Olympics are taking place in two different cities.
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
