Phillips to Auction 45-Carat Yellow Diamond
The stone features rare step-cut faceting and is estimated to sell for up to $3.5 million.

A 45.07-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond will be on offer at its jewelry auction scheduled for June 12 in New York.
It is estimated to sell for $2.8 million to $3.5 million.
The stone features step-cut faceting, which is unusual in a fancy colored diamond, as cutters typically prefer alternative cuts that create the illusion of greater color saturation.
“The fact that this step-cut diamond maintained a fancy vivid yellow color grade, an even color distribution, excellent polish and symmetry, and is an impressive 45.07 carats is a testament to the superlative quality of the rough diamond material from which it is derived,” Phillips said.
“This is truly an exceptional mineral specimen.”
Other colored gemstones, as well as period jewelry and signed jewels, are among the 125 lots up for sale.
Highlights include a 4.01-carat fancy intense green diamond estimated to fetch up to $350,000 and a Cartier ring featuring a 3.07-carat light blue diamond with a pre-sale estimate of $200,000 to $300,000.
Eva Violante, Phillips head of jewels for the Americas, said the auction house is excited to present a strong offering.
“There has been a clear demand for exceptional jewels and gemstones that span the century, evidenced by the strong results in both Geneva and Hong Kong, as well as the enthusiasm we have seen across the globe during our international tour,” said Violante.
“We are proud to offer our collectors such a magnificent array of jewels that embody the very best the category has to offer.”
A highlight of the colored gemstone offerings is a ring with a 12-carat Ceylon sapphire center stone flanked by two triangular-shaped diamonds. Its pre-sale estimate is $100,000 to $150,000.
A Colombian emerald and diamond ring is also a standout piece. The auction house estimates it could sell for up to $120,000.
The piece, circa 1953, features a gold wave fringe design set with diamonds. Its pre-sale estimate is $40,000 to $60,000.
The necklace comes with a report from the International Antique Jewelers Association stating it was made by Georges Lenfant, a premier gold craftsman of the 20th century.
A pair of emerald and diamond earclips from Bulgari (est. $24,000 to $38,000), as well as a pair of quartz and ceramic cufflinks by Taffin (est. $3,000 to $5,000) also will be offered.
A highlight of the sale’s selection of period jewels is an antique diamond tiara.
The late 19th century piece is set with circular-cut diamonds and converts to a fringe necklace. It’s estimated to sell for $24,000 to $36,000.
Also from the late 19th century is a René Lalique art nouveau enamel and pearl pendant. The 1896 piece features a jester design with a suspended pearl. The pendant is estimated to fetch up to $15,000.
An antique Etruscan Revival necklace from 1875 that features alternating beaded rod pendants and leaves will be offered as well. Its pre-sale estimate is $5,000 to $7,000.
Viewings will take place at 432 Park Ave. in New York from now through June 11.
To see more of the lots offered, visit Phillips website.
The Latest

The family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.

Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.

The reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

Sponsored by American Gem Trade Association


In the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.

Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

The expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.

The lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.

The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.

Two suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.

Finsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.

Michel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.

Longtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.

Jamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.

Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.

Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.

Honest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.

QVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.

The brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.

Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.

Sponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers

Cloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.

Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.

Etsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.























