Events & AwardsFeb 04, 2025
Van Cleef & Arpels’ Astronomy-Inspired Jewelry to Land at AMNHSourcingFeb 20, 2025
Harry Winston’s Son Donates Fancy Red Diamond to the Smithsonian
Ronald Winston is giving the 2.33-carat “Winston Red” to the Smithsonian, 67 years after his father donated the Hope Diamond.
PHOTO The 2.33-carat “Winston Red” diamond is the centerpiece of a collection of natural colored diamonds that Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, has donated to the Smithsonian Institute. At 2.33 carats, it’s one of the largest fancy red diamonds in the world. (Photo credit: Robert Weldon/Photo courtesy of Ronald Winston)
PHOTO The “Winston” Red will go on display at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., alongside the Winston Fancy Color Diamond Collection, an assemblage of 40 stones that showcases the color range of diamonds. Seen here is a selection of diamonds from the collection. (Photo credit: Robert Weldon, arranged by Gabriela Farfan/Photo courtesy of Ronald Winston)
Washington, D.C.—The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History is adding 41 natural colored diamonds, including a rare 2.33-carat fancy red, to its gem collection, all courtesy of the son of the “King of Diamonds.”
Ronald Winston, eldest son of Harry Winston, is gifting the museum the “Winston Red” diamond and the Winston Fancy Color Diamond Collection, an assemblage of 40 stones in total.
The museum announced the donation on Tuesday and said the stones will be unveiled to the public on April 1.
“This ranks among the most significant gifts ever received by the Smithsonian,” the National Museum of Natural History’s Sant Director Kirk Johnson said.
“The Winston diamonds are unprecedented in their beauty and rarity, and we are thrilled to welcome them as additions to our National Gem Collection. We extend our gratitude to Ronald Winston for making this gift to the nation possible.”
The diamonds will be on display in the Winston Gallery, which was named for Harry Winston and houses the Hope Diamond, which the famed diamantaire donated to the museum in 1958, a gift the museum said laid the groundwork for the National Gem & Mineral Collection.
Related stories will be right here …
Ronald Winston, eldest son of Harry Winston, is gifting the museum the “Winston Red” diamond and the Winston Fancy Color Diamond Collection, an assemblage of 40 stones in total.
The museum announced the donation on Tuesday and said the stones will be unveiled to the public on April 1.
“This ranks among the most significant gifts ever received by the Smithsonian,” the National Museum of Natural History’s Sant Director Kirk Johnson said.
“The Winston diamonds are unprecedented in their beauty and rarity, and we are thrilled to welcome them as additions to our National Gem Collection. We extend our gratitude to Ronald Winston for making this gift to the nation possible.”
The diamonds will be on display in the Winston Gallery, which was named for Harry Winston and houses the Hope Diamond, which the famed diamantaire donated to the museum in 1958, a gift the museum said laid the groundwork for the National Gem & Mineral Collection.
Red diamonds are considered the rarest of all diamonds, and it is rarer still to see ones that are 1 carat or larger in size.
The 2.33-carat “Winston Red” is one of the largest red diamonds graded as a fancy red by the Gemological Institute of America, the museum said, and is an old mine brilliant-cut diamond, which suggests it was cut before the mid-1900s.
A full study on the science and history of the “Winston Red” is slated to be included in the spring 2025 issue of “Gems & Gemology,” GIA’s quarterly journal.
“The red diamond is the highlight of my career, and I have never seen anything else like it,” Ronald said.
“This donation to the museum represents my life’s achievements in this domain, and I am so happy to share this collection with the [Smithsonian] Institution and the museum’s visitors.”
A 4.11-carat emerald-cut yellow diamond from the collection (Photo credit: Robert Weldon/Photo courtesy of Ronald Winston)
These five fancy pear, oval, and heart-shaped pink diamonds are part of the Winston Fancy Color Diamond Collection. (Photo credit: Robert Weldon, arranged by Gabriela Farfan/Photo courtesy of Ronald Winston)
The 40 diamonds in the Winston Fancy Color Diamond Collection range in color from a soft peach to a deep teal and in size from 0.40 to 9.49 carats.
Ronald, who just turned 84 and worked in the family business for decades, amassed the collection over 60 years.
Following the release of the 2023 biography Ronald wrote on his father Harry, Ronald said in an interview with JCKOnline that he missed the jewelry business, particularly the “creative element of finding rare, extraordinary things.”
“In this collection, we have diamonds in colors I could never have dreamed of,” said Gabriela Farfan, who took over as the museum’s Coralyn W. Whitney curator of gems and minerals in May 2023.
“These gems give us the opportunity to share with our visitors the full range of colors in which diamonds occur.”
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
Events & AwardsAug 05, 2025
JA Announces Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship WinnersThe organization has awarded a total of $42,000 through its scholarship programs this year.
Weekly QuizJul 31, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsAug 04, 2025
Gem Awards, David Yurman Introduce $50K Grant for Emerging DesignersThe winner of the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant will be announced live at the 2026 Gem Awards gala.
TrendsAug 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: August’s Bright BaublesAs summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in QueensMoshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
MajorsAug 04, 2025
Borsheims Welcomes New Assistant Facilities ManagerXavier Dibbrell brings more than a decade of experience to the role.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
IndependentsJul 31, 2025
Matthew Tratner Takes Over as CBG President Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.
WatchesJul 30, 2025
Peek Inside Zadok Jewelers’ New Rolex Showroom in AustinIts opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.
SurveysJul 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JulyRespondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
SourcingJul 30, 2025
Rob Bates to Release Latest Book in His ‘Diamond District Mystery’ Series“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.
EditorsJul 29, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s Design Studio in LASenior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2025
Melee The Show Welcomes 15 New DesignersThe first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.
SourcingJul 29, 2025
Auctim to Offer 7.3M+ Carats of Rough EmeraldsThe online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.
MajorsJul 29, 2025
Alexis Padis Re-Elected AGS Board President She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.
Policies & IssuesJul 28, 2025
U.S.-EU Come to Agreement on Tariffs Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.
CollectionsJul 28, 2025
Nanis Brings a New Palette to ‘Ipanema’A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.
MajorsJul 28, 2025
The 1916 Company Partners with ‘Shark Tank’ Star’s Watch Insurance PlatformThe retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.
