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

National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsJan 21, 2025
Peter Smith: Sales Training’s Dirty Little Secret

Peter Smith pulls back the curtain on the often misinterpreted, and sometimes maligned, world of sales training.

Lord Jewelry brown and white diamond ring
TrendsJan 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Decadent Mocha Mousse

Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year takes the form of jewelry through gemstones and enamel that look just as delicious as mocha mousse.

Charms from designer Jenna Blake
Policies & IssuesJan 21, 2025
These Designers and Retailers Are Raising Money for LA Wildfire Relief

From raffles to auctions to donations, the industry is working to aid charities in Los Angeles amid the raging wildfires.

Resolutions - 2025.jpg
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers

The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.

Diamonds Do Good
SourcingJan 21, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Adds 2 Board Members

Julia Hackman Chafé and Monica Elias have joined the organization’s board of directors.

Weekly QuizJan 16, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Bucellati necklaces
FinancialsJan 17, 2025
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Rise 14% in Holiday Quarter

The company, which owns Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, had a record Q3, with sales topping $6 billion.

Picchiotti Classic Blue and Green Necklace
CollectionsJan 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Picchiotti’s Transformable ‘Classic Blue and Green’ Necklace

The necklace features a sapphire drop weighing more than 9 carats that detaches to transform into a ring.

ride_or_die_1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday Campaign

A Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’

Jameel Mohammed
MajorsJan 17, 2025
Tiffany & Co., CFDA Name First Winner of Jewelry Designer Award

Jameel Mohammed, founder of Afrofuturist brand Khiry, will receive a cash prize and a one-year paid fellowship with Tiffany & Co.

Gold jewelry boxes with Lux Bond & Green logo
IndependentsJan 16, 2025
Lux Bond & Green to Open Sixth Location

The 127-year-old jeweler is planning to open a new store in Mystic, Connecticut.

Timex National Park Collection
WatchesJan 16, 2025
Timex Launches Collection of National Park Watches

The watches’ dials feature artwork celebrating the vibrant energy and unique landscapes of six of America’s national parks.

JCK open registration graphic
Events & AwardsJan 16, 2025
JCK Las Vegas 2025 Open for Registration

The jewelry trade show returns to The Venetian Expo and The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas from June 6 to 9.

Iris Apfel
EditorsJan 15, 2025
The Jewelry I’d Bid On in Christie’s Iris Apfel Auction

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights her favorite fashion jewelry pieces from the upcoming “Unapologetically Iris” auction.

Macy’s Herald Square New York City store
MajorsJan 15, 2025
Macy’s to Close 66 Stores as Part of Turnaround Strategy

The closures are part of the retailer’s plan to close 150 locations over a three-year period.

Jewelers Vigilance Committee Americans with Disabilities Act guide cover
Policies & IssuesJan 15, 2025
JVC Debuts Guide to Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

The online guide is available for free and written with the jewelry industry in mind.

Jose Hess Design Award Trophy
Events & AwardsJan 15, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Open for Submissions

The awards honor the late Jose Hess, a founding member of AJDC and an award-winning jewelry designer.

Susan Jacques
GradingJan 14, 2025
GIA CEO, President Susan Jacques to Retire at the End of 2025

The grading lab said the search for her successor is underway.

Jewelry designer and National Jeweler guest columnist Jules Kim
ColumnistsJan 14, 2025
Jules Kim: Building Bridges Between Creators and Industry

In this special op-ed, designer Jules Kim calls on big brands to collaborate with independent creators instead of copying their designs.

Henry A. Hänni
GradingJan 14, 2025
Former SSEF Director Henry A. Hänni Dies

A pioneering figure in gemology, he is remembered for his spirit of generosity, curiosity, and joy.

Woman wearing rings on both hands
FinancialsJan 14, 2025
Signet Jewelers Lowers Q4 Guidance After Holiday Sales Fall Short

The peak selling days leading up to Christmas did not meet the jewelry retailer’s expectations.

Edouard Schneider
MajorsJan 14, 2025
Edouard Schneider Joins Messika as Chief Brand Officer

Schneider brings over 20 years of luxury and fashion industry experience to his role as a key member of the brand’s global leadership team.

Gemfields emeralds
SourcingJan 13, 2025
Zambia Reinstates 15% Export Duty on Precious Gemstones, Shocking Gemfields

Gemfields said the Zambian government revoked the 2019 suspension of the tax with no warning.

Woman’s silhouette with smart ring on finger
TechnologyJan 13, 2025
Ultrahuman Unveils Luxury Smart Ring

With versions in 18-karat gold and platinum, the wearables company is blending health technology and fine jewelry.

Brandee Dallow
Policies & IssuesJan 13, 2025
Brandee Dallow Elected President of Ethical Metalsmiths

The executive brings more than two decades of industry experience to the role.

Camille Zarsky and curated necklaces
IndependentsJan 13, 2025
The Seven Pops Up in Palm Beach

The New York City-based retailer is bringing its curation of jewels to a pop-up shop at Love Binetti in Palm Beach, Florida.

Jewelers Relief Fund logo
Policies & IssuesJan 10, 2025
Jewelers Relief Fund Reopened to Aid Victims of LA Fires

Created by JA and DCA, the fund is collecting money for jewelry businesses damaged by the wildfires in Los Angeles County.

Elsa Jin Mozi Brooch
TrendsJan 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Elsa Jin’s ‘Mozi’ Brooch

Adrien Brody received his first Golden Globe while wearing the “Mozi” brooch, which depicts a spill of traditional Chinese calligraphy ink.

×

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