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.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Lab-GrownNov 10, 2026
GIA Examines Pink Lab-Grown Diamond Made to Look NaturalThe 6-carat CVD-grown pink diamond was “deliberately modified” to mimic the appearance of a natural rough diamond, the lab said.
ColumnistsNov 10, 2026
Who Checks the Facts When AI Writes Your Jewelry Copy?An incorrect AI-generated ad or product description can cost your store valuable consumer trust.
Events & AwardsNov 09, 2026
Here Are the 2027 Gem Award NomineesThese nine individuals and brands are up for a Gem Award in the Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation categories.
Brought to you by
DSF Antique Jewelry: Fine Jewelry, Signed Designers, and a World of Rare DiscoveriesWith over 50 years experience in the trade, DSF Antique Jewelry offers quality, craftsmanship, condition, and remarkable variety.
CrimeNov 09, 2026
Jeweler Pistol-Whipped, $900K in Jewelry Stolen During Home Invasion The incident, which happened in Miami-Dade County, serves as a reminder to jewelers of the dangers of selling and storing jewelry at home.
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingNov 09, 2026
GIA Acquires Thousands of Gem Specimens With ‘Extraordinary’ InclusionsGIA Analytical Microscopist John Koivula curated the collection of 2,665 crystals, gems, and minerals over a 60-year span.
CollectionsNov 09, 2026
Bibi van der Velden’s Alligators Become High JewelryThe “Eclipse” collection, the brand’s first high jewelry line, centers its alligator motif in diamond and spinel jewels.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
