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.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
Weekly QuizAug 29, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry BuyerFormer Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis StudentsThe jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond CutsThe singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income WorriesPlans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil CampaignThe Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-GiftingIn his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a WrapWrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry EmpireThree C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 StoresThe retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.
