AuctionsAug 30, 2022
A Rare Red Diamond Is Heading to AuctionAuctionsAug 31, 2022
11-Carat Pink Diamond from Tanzania Expected to Sell for $21M+
Named the “Williamson Pink Star,” it is the second largest internally flawless fancy vivid pink ever to appear at auction.
Sotheby’s will offer the “Williamson Pink Star” diamond as a standalone lot during its Oct. 5 art auction in Hong Kong. The diamond was named in homage to two other famous pink diamonds—the record-setting “CTF Pink Star” and the 23.60-carat brilliant cut “Williamson” gifted to Queen Elizabeth II in 1947. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)
London—Today in London, Sotheby’s unveiled an 11-carat fancy vivid pink diamond expected to sell for upwards of $20 million in a single-lot auction in October.
Dubbed the “Williamson Pink Star,” the diamond is the product of a 32-carat rough stone unearthed at the Williamson mine in Mwadui, Tanzania, the country’s only major diamond mine that is known for its “bubble-gum pink” stones.
Diacore bought the diamond for $13.8 million, or about $427,000 per carat, from mine operator Petra Diamonds in December 2021. At the time, Diacore Chairman Nir Livnat described it as a “rare masterpiece of nature.”
The company, which has cut a number of high-profile blue diamonds including the “CTF Pink Star” and the “De Beers Cullinan Blue Diamond,” was able to craft the 32.32-carat chunk of rough into a 11.15-carat internally flawless cushion-cut diamond that is graded fancy vivid pink.
Sotheby’s said it is the second largest IF fancy vivid pink diamond ever to appear to auction.
The largest is the 59.60-carat CTF Pink Star, so named by its purchaser, Chow Tai Fook. The Chinese jewelry giant paid $71.2 million for the diamond in April 2017, and it remains the most expensive diamond, colored gemstone or jewel ever sold at auction.
The 32.32-carat rough diamond that became the “Williamson Pink Star” diamond. Diacore purchased this stone from mining company Petra in December 2021 at what was the Williamson mine’s first tender following the initial COVID shutdowns.
Diacore crafted the rough into a cushion-cut internally flawless fancy vivid pink diamond weighing 11.15 carats. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)
In its current 18-karat gold setting, the diamond is flanked by trapeze-cut diamonds and brilliant-cut pink melee. It’s estimated to sell for $21 million or more. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)
Sotheby’s estimates the Williamson Pink Star, which is less than a quarter of the size of the CTF Pink Star, will sell for less overall—$21 million—but the auction house says it has the potential to set a new price-per-carat record for a fancy vivid pink.
The “Winston Pink Legacy” currently holds that record at $2.7 million per carat.
Wenhao Yu, chairman of jewelry and watches for Sotheby’s Asia, told National Jeweler in an interview Tuesday that the estimated hammer price for the Williamson Pink Star reflects both the quality of the diamond and the current market, where pink diamonds, particularly larger ones, are sought after.
He said gemstones like the Williamson Pink Star continue to hold their value because of their beauty, rarity and durability, even as NFTs gain steam as alternative investment vehicles and more companies that deal in luxury goods—Sotheby’s included—embrace them.
He pointed to the “great” sale of the De Beers Cullinan Blue Diamond in April, $57.5 million against an estimate of $48 million, and the auction house’s overall growth in jewelry sales as evidence.
“This kind of rarity still holds value, especially the natural pieces from the earth,” Yu said.
Sotheby’s will offer the Williamson Pink Star in a single-lot auction in Hong Kong on Oct. 5. Prior to the sale, the auction house will take the diamond to Dubai, Singapore, Taipei and Hong Kong.
While the nearly 60-carat CTF Pink was snapped up by a large company, the Williamson Pink Star is much more wearable at 11 carats—it is, as Yu put it, a “very nice size to wear as a ring”—and could find a home with a private collector.
“There are a lot of gemstone collectors who are looking for something exceptional, and I think this qualifies.”
He also noted the diamond’s positioning at auction—not as the top lot in a larger jewelry sale but on its own, between Sotheby’s auctions of modern and contemporary art that same day.
“We consider this a true piece of art from Mother Nature,” Yu said. “It could be attractive to collectors of fine art.”
More on Auctions
The Latest
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
