AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction AuctionsApr 07, 2025
182-Carat Paraíba-Type Tourmaline Heading to Auction in Hong Kong
Bonhams will offer the “Kat Florence Lumina” at its May 22 jewelry auction.
The “Kat Florence Lumina” is named for jewelry designer Kat Florence, who is married to Don Kogen, the gem hunter who found the original 830-carat rough crystal in Mozambique more than 20 years ago.
Toronto—A Paraíba-type tourmaline weighing more than 180 carats is headed to auction at Bonhams Hong Kong next month.
The 181.61-carat unheated “Kat Florence Lumina” will go up for auction on May 22 as part of the auction house’s “Hong Kong Jewels and Jadeite” sale.
Bonhams said the gemstone is estimated to sell for HK$3 million to HK$5 million (approximately $386,100 to $643,500, or about $2,126 to $3,543 per carat).
The gemstone was named after jewelry designer Kat Florence, who runs her eponymous jewelry brand.
Florence’s husband, gem hunter Don Kogen, found the gemstone and later cut it to fit her vision, according to a news release circulated by the brand last week.
When it was unearthed in the Mavuco district of Mozambique’s Nampula province in 2003, the rough crystal weighed 830 carats.
Kogen estimated that it could be cut into a clean gem weighing more than 300 carats, the release states, but the stone sat untouched for many years.
This year, Florence began encouraging Kogen to revisit the crystal, and the initial result was a 315-carat gemstone.
While remarkable in size, the brilliance of the giant Paraíba-type tourmaline was compromised.
Like many Paraíba, or Paraíba-type tourmalines, weighing more than 100 carats, it displayed “windowing,” a “flatness that dulls fire and life at the center of the gem,” the release states.
After deliberation and precision work by the brand’s cutting team, the stone was recut to its current weight, 181.61 carats.
Related stories will be right here …
The 181.61-carat unheated “Kat Florence Lumina” will go up for auction on May 22 as part of the auction house’s “Hong Kong Jewels and Jadeite” sale.
Bonhams said the gemstone is estimated to sell for HK$3 million to HK$5 million (approximately $386,100 to $643,500, or about $2,126 to $3,543 per carat).
The gemstone was named after jewelry designer Kat Florence, who runs her eponymous jewelry brand.
Florence’s husband, gem hunter Don Kogen, found the gemstone and later cut it to fit her vision, according to a news release circulated by the brand last week.
When it was unearthed in the Mavuco district of Mozambique’s Nampula province in 2003, the rough crystal weighed 830 carats.
Kogen estimated that it could be cut into a clean gem weighing more than 300 carats, the release states, but the stone sat untouched for many years.
This year, Florence began encouraging Kogen to revisit the crystal, and the initial result was a 315-carat gemstone.
While remarkable in size, the brilliance of the giant Paraíba-type tourmaline was compromised.
Like many Paraíba, or Paraíba-type tourmalines, weighing more than 100 carats, it displayed “windowing,” a “flatness that dulls fire and life at the center of the gem,” the release states.
After deliberation and precision work by the brand’s cutting team, the stone was recut to its current weight, 181.61 carats.
According to the release, the gemstone is the largest known Paraíba-type tourmaline of its kind, “unheated, vividly saturated, and masterfully cut.”
“The Kat Florence Lumina holds global recognition for its rarity, uniting size, color, clarity, and cut in a way never before seen in the world of Paraíba tourmalines,” the release states.
It has reports from Bellerophon Gemlab, American Gemological Laboratories, and Gübelin Gem Lab.
The stone will be exhibited in Taipei, Taiwan, on Apr. 11-13, Singapore on May 10-11, and Hong Kong on May 17-21, prior to being auctioned on May 22.
More details on the other lots in the Bonhams jewelry and jade auction will be available shortly.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
