AuctionsOct 07, 2022
‘Williamson Pink Star’ Diamond Sets Auction Record at $57.7M AuctionsOct 13, 2022
These 8 Blue Diamonds Worth $70M+ Will Go Up for Auction
“The De Beers Exceptional Blue Collection” will be sold across Sotheby’s jewelry auctions this year and through spring 2023.
These eight blue diamonds, weighing 32.09 carats total and valued at more than $70 million, will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s beginning next month through the winter and spring 2023.
New York—The upcoming auction season is definitely one for blue diamond lovers.
Sotheby’s has announced it will sell a group of eight fancy blue diamonds valued at more than $70 million total across its Magnificent Jewels auctions this year and into the spring.
“The De Beers Exceptional Blue Collection,” sourced and assembled by the diamond company, is appearing at auction for the first time.
The group is comprised of eight blue diamonds of various shapes and weights, ranging in size from a 1.22-carat oval brilliant-cut to an 11.29-carat step-cut diamond, for a total weight of 32.09 carats among them.
Three of the diamonds will be offered this year: the 5.53-carat stone will be a highlight of Sotheby’s Magnificent and Noble Jewels auction in Geneva on Nov. 9, while the 3.24-carat diamond and the 2.08-carat diamond will be offered in New York on Dec. 7.
The full list of the eight diamonds and their estimates are as follows.
--11.29-carat step-cut fancy vivid blue (estimated at $28 million-$50 million)
--5.53-carat cushion brilliant-cut fancy vivid blue (estimated at $11 million-15 million)
--4.13-carat step-cut fancy intense blue (estimated at $2.5 million-$3.5 million)
--3.24-carat cushion brilliant-cut internally flawless fancy vivid blue (estimated at $5 million-$8 million)
--3.10-carat cushion brilliant-cut fancy vivid blue (estimated at $4.5 million-$5 million)
--2.08-carat cushion-cut fancy intense blue (estimated at $1.2 million-$1.5 million)
--1.50-carat round brilliant-cut fancy intense blue (estimated at $750,000-$1 million)
--1.22-carat oval brilliant-cut fancy intense blue (estimated at $600,000-$800,000)
De Beers and Diacore jointly paid $40.36 million for five rough blue diamonds from the Cullinan mine weighing 85.62 carats total in November 2020.
Over almost two years, Diacore cut and polished the five rough stones to create the eight blue diamonds in the collection Sotheby’s is now presenting.
Related stories will be right here …
Sotheby’s has announced it will sell a group of eight fancy blue diamonds valued at more than $70 million total across its Magnificent Jewels auctions this year and into the spring.
“The De Beers Exceptional Blue Collection,” sourced and assembled by the diamond company, is appearing at auction for the first time.
The group is comprised of eight blue diamonds of various shapes and weights, ranging in size from a 1.22-carat oval brilliant-cut to an 11.29-carat step-cut diamond, for a total weight of 32.09 carats among them.
Three of the diamonds will be offered this year: the 5.53-carat stone will be a highlight of Sotheby’s Magnificent and Noble Jewels auction in Geneva on Nov. 9, while the 3.24-carat diamond and the 2.08-carat diamond will be offered in New York on Dec. 7.
The full list of the eight diamonds and their estimates are as follows.
--11.29-carat step-cut fancy vivid blue (estimated at $28 million-$50 million)
--5.53-carat cushion brilliant-cut fancy vivid blue (estimated at $11 million-15 million)
--4.13-carat step-cut fancy intense blue (estimated at $2.5 million-$3.5 million)
--3.24-carat cushion brilliant-cut internally flawless fancy vivid blue (estimated at $5 million-$8 million)
--3.10-carat cushion brilliant-cut fancy vivid blue (estimated at $4.5 million-$5 million)
--2.08-carat cushion-cut fancy intense blue (estimated at $1.2 million-$1.5 million)
--1.50-carat round brilliant-cut fancy intense blue (estimated at $750,000-$1 million)
--1.22-carat oval brilliant-cut fancy intense blue (estimated at $600,000-$800,000)
De Beers and Diacore jointly paid $40.36 million for five rough blue diamonds from the Cullinan mine weighing 85.62 carats total in November 2020.
Over almost two years, Diacore cut and polished the five rough stones to create the eight blue diamonds in the collection Sotheby’s is now presenting.
They will be on display in Hong Kong from Oct. 17-19, followed by Singapore from Oct. 20-21, Taipei from Oct.26-27, and Geneva from Nov. 4-8.
“I have remained in awe of ‘The De Beers Exceptional Blue Collection’ since the first moment I set eyes on it,” said Olivier Wagner, head of Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels Auctions in Geneva.
“The market for colored diamonds and precious gemstones has never been stronger, so we are absolutely thrilled to be offering the first diamond of this superb collection as one of the star highlights of our Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels auction next month in Geneva. This important gem will, I am sure, captivate all collectors of exceptional gemstones.”
News of the diamond collection comes less than a week after the record-breaking sale of the “Williamson Pink Star” at Sotheby’s.
The 11.15-carat fancy vivid pink diamond sold for more than $57 million in Hong Kong last Friday. 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.
Sotheby’s also sold the De Beers Blue in April, a 15.10 carat step-cut fancy vivid blue diamond that went for $57.5 million.
More on Auctions
The Latest
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine JewelryThe Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of MouthLilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth OfficerGCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessThe risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow IndependentThe Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Weekly QuizApr 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsVan Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise StrategyIndustry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host ConventionThe two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ PendantThe Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated StoreThe jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day CampaignThe “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired CollectionInterior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs ImpactDuring a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning CenterThe free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from MembersThe feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.
TechnologyApr 17, 2025
Technology Therapy Group Expands AI Training for Jewelry RetailersThe online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Catbird Expands to ChicagoThe opening marks the jewelry retailer’s first location in the Midwest.
CollectionsApr 16, 2025
Foundrae’s First Commitment Jewelry Collection Unites Through LoveThe “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Indiana Jeweler to Host Black Jewelry Designer Pop-UpRobert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.
MajorsApr 16, 2025
WJA Announces Board Members, New Chicago Chapter PresidentThe announcements follow a tumultuous start to 2025 for WJA, which saw a wave of resignations following controversial statements about DEI.
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Tariffs: What We Know Right Now Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff answers questions about how the new taxes levied on countries like India and China will impact the industry.
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Making Deals, Marketing DiamondsKenewendo, Botswana’s minster of minerals and energy, discusses closing the deal with De Beers and the work that was missed along the way.
FinancialsApr 15, 2025
LVMH’s Q1 Sales Slip 2 PercentLVMH CFO Cécile Cabanis also discussed the effects of tariffs so far.
CrimeApr 15, 2025
Jon Hamm Plays a Jewel Thief on Apple TV+The “Mad Men” and “The Morning Show” star steals jewelry, art, and handbags from his wealthy neighbors in “Your Friends & Neighbors.”
