AuctionsSep 30, 2022
Red Diamond Earns $1.8M at AuctionAuctionsOct 07, 2022
‘Williamson Pink Star’ Diamond Sets Auction Record at $57.7M
Purchased by a collector in Florida, the 11.15-carat fancy vivid pink is the second most valuable jewel or gemstone ever sold at auction.
The 11.15-carat “Williamson Pink Star” is current set in a ring with trapeze-cut diamonds and brilliant-cut pink melee. The diamond sold for $57.7 million Friday at Sotheby’s Hong Kong. (Image courtesy of Sotheby’s)
Hong Kong—The “Williamson Pink Star,” an 11.15-carat fancy vivid pink diamond, sold for more than $57 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Friday, exceeding expectations and shattering an auction record.
A private client from Boca Raton, Florida, bought the 11.15-carat internally flawless cushion-cut diamond, paying 453.2 million Hong Kong dollars ($57.7 million), well above its $21 million pre-sale estimate.
Mined at the Williamson mine in Tanzania and cut by Diacore, the Williamson Pink Star is the second largest IF fancy vivid pink diamond ever to appear at auction.
The largest is the 59.6-carat “CTF Pink Star.” Chow Tai Fook paid $71.2 million for the diamond in 2017, and it remains the most expensive gem or jewel ever sold at auction.
The Williamson Pink Star is now No. 2.
The diamond, which Sotheby’s Wenhao Yu described in an interview with National Jeweler as “a true piece of art from Mother Nature,” can also lay claim to another record.
With a per-carat sale price of roughly $5.2 million, it now holds the price-per-carat record for any diamond or gemstone sold at auction, effectively doubling the previous record of $2.7 million per carat set by the 18.96-carat “Winston Pink Legacy” at Christie’s in 2018.
The 32.32-carat piece of rough that Diacore cut to become the “Williamson Pink Star,” now known as “The Rosenberg Williamson Pink Star.” Diacore bough the rough from mining company Petra in December 2021. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)
Diacore crafted the diamond into a cushion-shaped fancy vivid pink stone weighing 11.15 carats. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)
“One of the purest, pinkest of diamonds, The Rosenberg Williamson Pink Star now takes its place in the pantheon of world record-breaking gemstones of the rarest kind, as the second highest price achieved for any jewel or gemstone sold at auction,” Yu said in a statement from Sotheby’s following the sale.
“The result today not only attests to the resilient demand for top quality diamonds in Asia, but a heightened awareness of the great scarcity of pink diamonds driven by an ever-limited supply.”
Sotheby’s auction of the Williamson Pink Star will be followed closely by the sale of another pink diamond with record-setting potential.
On Nov. 8 in Geneva, Christie’s is set to sell the 18.18-carat pear-shaped fancy vivid diamond dubbed “The Fortune Pink.” Christie’s said it is the largest pear-shaped fancy vivid pink ever offered at auction.
Pre-sale estimates have the stone selling for $25 million-$35 million.
Editor’s note: This story was updated on Oct. 12, 2022, to remove information about the stone being renamed, as Sotheby’s originally reported. The diamond has retained the name of the “Williamson Pink Star.”
More on Auctions
The Latest
Policies & IssuesSep 25, 2025
JA CEO Provides Tariff Update Following Annual Fly-InA trade deal with Switzerland seems probable, but reaching an agreement with India remains a challenge, David Bonaparte said.
SourcingSep 25, 2025
2 African Countries Aim to Take Stake in De Beers Botswana’s president said his country wants a controlling share, while Angola envisions multiple countries holding minority stakes.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2025
Kira Jewels Expands Lab-Grown Diamond ProductionThe manufacturer is adding 1,400 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors to its growing facility in India.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
IndependentsSep 25, 2025
Alex Moss’ New Flagship Brings Bold Jewels to SoHoThe jeweler to the stars has worked with Drake, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, and other celebrities.
Weekly QuizSep 25, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesSep 25, 2025
Wilson & Son Jewelers Donates to the Horological Society of New YorkThe Scarsdale, New York-based jeweler donated a professional-grade watch cleaning machine.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
Tariffs Throw Diamond Trade Into DisarrayThe 50 percent tariffs on diamonds shipped from India to the U.S. have pushed midstream manufacturers to the edge.
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.
SourcingSep 24, 2025
De Beers Adopts New Strategies to Drive Natural Diamond Demand in IndiaDe Beers’ refreshed, multipronged approach, which includes generic promotions and retail partnerships, is delivering positive dividends.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
For Jewelry Manufacturers, Higher Tariffs Create Long-Term WorriesThey are trying to balance the need to sustain well-established relationships with the pressure higher tariffs have put on margins.
SourcingSep 24, 2025
A Helping Hand: An Effort to Boost Inclusivity in the IndustryJewelry manufacturer Jewelex has partnered with JOSH, an industry training center, on a program for people with disabilities.
CollectionsSep 24, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Goes Back in Time With First Estate CollectionThe collection includes pieces dating back to the Victorian and Art Deco periods as well as mid-century and late 20th-century designs.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names Marcus ter Haar as President-ElectHe previously served as co-chair of the nonprofit’s beneficiary committee.
CollectionsSep 24, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s New Jane Goodall Collection Calls for PeaceIts second collaboration with the conservationist features jewelry with dove and olive branch motifs.
SourcingSep 24, 2025
SRK Launches Kriam PharmaThe diamond manufacturer’s new company will provide accessible and affordable high-quality medicines across India.
ColumnistsSep 23, 2025
Quiet Luxury: What Fall’s Top Trend Means for JewelersEmmanuel Raheb shares tips on how a jeweler’s showcases, marketing, and social media presence can whisper, instead of shout.
MajorsSep 23, 2025
Ames Watson Completes $140M Acquisition of Claire’sThe private equity firm has a plan to revive the mall staple.
SourcingSep 23, 2025
Super Smalls’ New Book Introduces Kids to Gems, Fine JewelryThe “Super Book of Gems” dives into the Mohs Hardness Scale, the Four C’s, and designs from jewelers like Cartier and Bulgari.
MajorsSep 23, 2025
Mattioli Names Kering Exec as New CEOClaudio Pasta will take the lead at the Italian fine jewelry brand, succeeding company founder Licia Mattioli.
CollectionsSep 23, 2025
Monique Lhuillier Adds Fashion Jewelry to Kay Jewelers LineThe new lab-grown diamond jewelry offering is the latest expansion of the designer’s “Bliss” collection.
SourcingSep 22, 2025
Rio Tinto Announces Final ‘Beyond Rare’ TenderThe miner is honoring the end of an era with an offering of 52 lots from the now-closed Argyle and the soon-to-close Diavik mines.
MajorsSep 22, 2025
Jewelry Manufacturer Vibhor Acquires AlorThe California-based fine jewelry brand will retain its identity post-acquisition, with new collections launching next year.
CollectionsSep 22, 2025
Gurhan's Collection is an 'Untamed' ZooThe “Untamed” collection centers on carved gemstone jewelry depicting a range of animals embodying one of the four elemental forces.
Policies & IssuesSep 22, 2025
Ethical Metalsmiths Has a New Name Founded in 2004, the organization is now called the Community for Ethical Jewelry.
EditorsSep 19, 2025
These Female Athletes Had the Best Jewelry of the SummerFrom Coco Gauff’s hoops to Madison Keys’ diamond medallion, these are Senior Editor Lenore Fedow’s standout jewelry looks of the season.
CollectionsSep 19, 2025
Piece of the Week: Vanessa Fernández Studio’s ‘Curva’ Wrap HoopsThe trendy earrings feature asymmetrical drops, one with a grossular garnet and the other with a diamond.
Recorded WebinarsSep 19, 2025
Watch: A Step-by-Step Guide to Using TikTok and Instagram ReelsFour social media marketing experts discuss their go-to methods and favorite tools for making high-quality short-form video content.
