Auctions

10.57-Carat Purplish Pink Diamond Expected to Sell for $35M+

AuctionsMar 29, 2023

10.57-Carat Purplish Pink Diamond Expected to Sell for $35M+

Sotheby’s will auction the diamond, which it says is “arguably the most significant pink diamond to ever appear at auction,” in June.

20230329_Sothebys Eternal Pink.jpg
Sotheby’s said “The Eternal Pink” is “the most vivid pink diamond to ever come to market.” The 10.57-carat IF, fancy vivid purplish pink diamond is the highlight of Sotheby’s June 8 jewelry auction.
New York—It’s said that diamonds are forever, and it appears at least one is “Eternal.” 

Today, Sotheby’s announced the auction of a 10.57-carat internally flawless, fancy vivid purplish pink diamond known as “The Eternal Pink” and described as, “arguably the most significant pink diamond to ever appear at auction.” 

The diamond will headline Sotheby’s June 8 jewelry auction in New York and is projected to sell for at least $35 million, or $3.3 million per carat, the highest price-per-carat estimate placed on a diamond or gemstone offered at auction, the auction house said.

It said the diamond will challenge the price-per-carat record for a diamond or gemstone currently held by the 11.15-carat “Williamson Pink Star” (sold for $57.7 million/$5.2 million per carat), noting that $35 million/$3.3 million per carat is the diamond’s low estimate. 

“This color is the most beautiful and concentrated shade of pink in diamonds I have ever seen or has ever come to market,” said Quig Bruning, head of Sotheby’s Jewelry Americas. “The Eternal Pink’s immense presence and great rarity make it comparable to ultimate masterpieces of art—far rarer than a Magritte or a Warhol.”

 Related stories will be right here … 

Debswana, the joint venture between De Beers Group and the government of Botswana, mined the 23.78-carat rough diamond that became The Eternal Pink at its Damtshaa mine in 2019. (Damtshaa currently is on care and maintenance, meaning it is not producing.)

Diacore, which has cut some of the world’s most valuable diamonds, including the rough that became the Williamson Pink Star, took six months to transform the nearly 24-carat pink rough into a cushion-shaped, internally flawless diamond.

20230329_The Eternal Pink ring.jpg
The Eternal Pink in a setting. Debswana mined the diamond in Botswana and fancy diamond specialists Diacore cut the rough over a six-month period.


The Eternal Pink’s appearance at auction this June follows an interesting end of 2022 for natural colored diamonds at auction.

While the Williamson Pink Star exceeded expectations and set a new price-per-carat record when Sotheby’s Hong Kong sold it in October 2022, the final sale price for the “Fortune Pink,” an 18.18-carat fancy vivid pink, was at the low end of its estimated range the following month at Christie’s Geneva.

In December, Christie’s had to pull another fancy vivid pink diamond from auction, this one weighing 13.15 carats. News reports later emerged that the auction house had withdrawn the diamond from its jewelry auction because it allegedly was stolen.

In addition, three blue diamonds from an eight-stone collection titled “The De Beers Exceptional Blue Collection” didn’t sell when Sotheby’s put them up for auction.

A 5.53-carat fancy vivid blue failed to find a buyer at Sotheby’s Geneva in November, and nobody bought the 3.24-carat fancy vivid blue or the 2.08-carat fancy intense blue offered at Sotheby’s New York the following month. 

Sotheby’s is slated to publicly unveil The Eternal Pink Saturday in Hong Kong, coinciding with the auction house’s celebrations around its 50th anniversary in Asia.

Following its debut, the stone will make stops in Dubai, Singapore, Shanghai, Taiwan and Geneva (exact dates to come). 

The Eternal Pink eventually will come to New York, where it will anchor Sotheby’s “Magnificent Jewels” auction on June 8. 

The Latest

Stock image of handcuffs
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry Heist

The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.

Caryl Capeci Starboard Cruises
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry Shopping

The Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.

Kirk Kara fine jewelry
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New Jewels

To mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Gemfields 36 Carat Ruby
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough Ruby

The gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.

Weekly QuizJun 12, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Alex Brown
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee Group

Founder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.

Jade Ruzzo Gloria Collar
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Jewelry industry author, speaker, and sales expert Peter Smith
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?

If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.

Selection of jewelry from Sotheby’s New York High Jewelry sale
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry Sale

The top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.

Amanda Gizzi, Jewelers of America’s SVP of corporate affairs
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JA

Gizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.

Kering CEO Luca de Meo
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEO

Luca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.

Botswana Minster of Minerals and Energy Bogolo Joy Kenewendo
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las Vegas

Following visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.

Greenwich Street Jewelers Your Love Has the Perfect Ring Campaign
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ Couples

The “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.

Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.

The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.

New York Liberty Nyara Sabally Catbird campaign
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand Ambassador

The New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.

Robinson Pelham Fruits of Love Pear Earrings
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear Earrings

Take a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.

Three diamonds with diagrams
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education Conference

The one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.

Ella Sophie
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella Sophie

The California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.

A pink gold Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph Ref. 2499
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s

Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.

Gabriel Love Foundation Logo
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias Gabriel

The foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.

Celine Assimon
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins Bonhams

Assimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.

De Beers CEO Al Cook speaking at JCK Las Vegas 2025
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and Tariffs

The De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”

Pandora Las Vegas ribbon cutting ceremony
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American Flagship

The Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.

Tiffany Stevens
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board Leader

Industry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.

Lee Min Seo and Ianyan Jewelry
Events & AwardsJun 11, 2025
Kering Announces Winners of Sustainability-Focused Award

The winners of the inaugural “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” are student Lee Min Seo and China-based startup Ianyan.

De Beers desert diamonds
SourcingJun 10, 2025
De Beers Turns to Brown, Yellow Diamonds for New ‘Beacon’

“Ombré Desert Diamonds” will emphasize cream-, champagne-, and brown-colored diamonds, shades that set natural stones apart from lab grown.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy