Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
AuctionsApr 26, 2017
Historic ‘Stotesbury Emerald’ Sells at Sotheby’s
The top lot of the NY sale, though, was a pair of earrings with emerald-cut diamonds weighing 20.29 and 20.02 carats that went for $5.3 million.
The Stotesbury Emerald, a 34.40-carat hexagonal gemstone, sold for $996,500 at Sotheby’s New York on Tuesday.
New York--The 34.40-carat “Stotesbury Emerald,” which has passed through the hands of three well-known American jewelry collectors in its history, sold for $996,500 Tuesday.
The final hammer price for the stone, which appeared in the Sotheby’s New York Magnificent Jewels sale, fell within its pre-sale estimate of between $800,000 and $1.2 million.
The 34.40-carat hexagonal stone has been in a number of different settings over the years, with the style changing based on its owners’ desires.
According to Sotheby’s, the green gemstone first belonged to American mining heiress and Washington, D.C., socialite Evalyn Walsh McLean, and was set in a Cartier pendant that also featured the 94.80-carat pear-shaped Star of the East diamond.
Just a few years later, after an exchange between her and the jewelry house involving the emerald and the Hope diamond went south and led to a court battle, the emerald ended up back in Cartier’s possession.
The next owner was Eva Stotesbury, the daughter of a well-known lawyer. She acquired many of her great jewels during her second marriage, to prominent financier Edward Stotesbury. She had the emerald, which would thereafter bear her name, set in a pendant with diamonds as part of a Cartier suite.
In 1943, that suite was sold to none other than Harry Winston, who set the emeralds in the suite into more contemporary pieces, according to Sotheby’s. The Stotesbury was set in a ring, the setting it still is in today, and sold to American socialite, philanthropist and jewelry collector May Bonfils Stanton.
The 34-carat emerald next appeared in the 1971 sale of Stanton’s estate by Parke-Bernet Galleries, where it went to a private buyer and has remained until its sale at Sotheby’s this week. 
The emerald was the sixth highest-grossing lot in the sale, which totaled nearly $29 million.
The top lot was a pair of earrings (pictured above) comprised of two square emerald-cut diamonds weighing 20.29 and 20.02 carats, topped by two smaller square emerald-cut diamonds weighing 1.01 carats each and further accented with small round diamonds weighing approximately 0.70 carats. They sold for $5.3 million.
The earrings were followed by a rose gold pendant, set with an 11.19-carat pear-shaped fancy pink diamond that garnered $2.4 million; an emerald-cut fancy gray-blue diamond weighing 5.07 carats, accented on the mounting by baguette, triangle and single-cut diamonds weighing approximately 0.30 carats, which sold for $1.6 million; and a pair of earrings
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
featuring two suspended pear-shaped diamonds weighing 7.36 and 7.03 carats, topped by six round sapphires weighing approximately 1 carat, which went for $1.3 million.
Also topping the $1-million mark was a cut-cornered square mixed-cut fancy vivid green diamond weighing 1.64 carats, flanked by two cut-cornered triangle-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 0.65 carats, which sold for $1.2 million.
Also topping the $1-million mark was a cut-cornered square mixed-cut fancy vivid green diamond weighing 1.64 carats, flanked by two cut-cornered triangle-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 0.65 carats, which sold for $1.2 million.
More on Auctions
The Latest
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
