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.
More on Auctions
The Latest
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
