AuctionsApr 29, 2025
‘Golconda Blue’ Diamond Pulled From AuctionAuctionsMay 06, 2025
Harwell Godfrey Reimagines 10-Carat Blue Diamond for Met Gala-Ready Brooch
Designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey made the piece as an homage to the 2025 gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
Jewelry designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey created this brooch using “The Mediterranean Blue,” a 10-carat blue diamond, inspired by the theme of this year’s Met Gala, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” At left is Godfrey’s sketch, while the finished brooch is pictured at right.
New York—If you’re a jewelry designer who’s given the opportunity to design around an incredible 10-carat blue diamond for The Met Gala, New York’s annual homage to fashion, what do you do?
If you’re Lauren Harwell Godfrey, the answer is, you absolutely crush it.
On Monday, as celebrities were making their way up the steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in a soggy New York City, Godfrey announced via Instagram that Frank Everett, vice chairman of Sotheby’s Jewelry, Americas, had asked her to create a piece of jewelry as a tribute to theme of the 2025 Met Gala, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
He told her she’d be working with a very special stone—a 10.02-carat fancy vivid blue diamond mined in South Africa and dubbed “The Mediterranean Blue.”
The diamond is estimated to sell for up to $20 million when it goes up for auction at Sotheby’s next week.
If you’re Lauren Harwell Godfrey, the answer is, you absolutely crush it.
On Monday, as celebrities were making their way up the steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in a soggy New York City, Godfrey announced via Instagram that Frank Everett, vice chairman of Sotheby’s Jewelry, Americas, had asked her to create a piece of jewelry as a tribute to theme of the 2025 Met Gala, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
He told her she’d be working with a very special stone—a 10.02-carat fancy vivid blue diamond mined in South Africa and dubbed “The Mediterranean Blue.”
The diamond is estimated to sell for up to $20 million when it goes up for auction at Sotheby’s next week.
The result—a sleek and stylish 18-karat gold brooch with black onyx that is trademark Harwell Godfrey and would have worked with the outfit of almost any 2025 Met Gala attendee (though the brooch was not actually worn to the event).
“I designed the brooch inspired by royal medals, reimagined through an African diasporic lens—sharp geometry, symbolic black onyx, and this once-in-a-lifetime gem at its center,” Godfrey said, adding that it is “an heirloom for Black royalty made with an African diamond.”
Black onyx is the same material the designer chose for another jewel that carried special meaning, her heart pendant created in the summer of 2020, in the thick of the Black Lives Matter protests sweeping the nation, that benefitted the NAACP.
Related stories will be right here …
“I designed the brooch inspired by royal medals, reimagined through an African diasporic lens—sharp geometry, symbolic black onyx, and this once-in-a-lifetime gem at its center,” Godfrey said, adding that it is “an heirloom for Black royalty made with an African diamond.”
Black onyx is the same material the designer chose for another jewel that carried special meaning, her heart pendant created in the summer of 2020, in the thick of the Black Lives Matter protests sweeping the nation, that benefitted the NAACP.
The Mediterranean Blue diamond is being offered as a highlight of Sotheby’s High Jewelry sale, which is scheduled to take place in Geneva May 13.
When news about the diamond’s sale was first announced, the stone was pictured loose and set in a simple four-prong ring as a solitaire.
A Sotheby’s spokesperson confirmed Tuesday that the Mediterranean Blue will be presented as a ring in Geneva, not in the Harwell Godfrey-designed brooch.
Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, the spring 2025 exhibition at The Met’s Costume Institute, officially opens May 10 and will be on view through Oct. 26.
The exhibition is an examination of Black style over 300 years through the concept of dandyism, exploring the importance of style to the formation of Black identities in the United States and Europe.
More on Auctions
The Latest
ColumnistsSep 23, 2025
Quiet Luxury: What Fall’s Top Trend Means for JewelersEmmanuel Raheb shares tips on how a jeweler’s showcases, marketing, and social media presence can whisper, instead of shout.
MajorsSep 23, 2025
Ames Watson Completes $140M Acquisition of Claire’sThe private equity firm has a plan to revive the mall staple.
SourcingSep 23, 2025
Super Smalls’ New Book Introduces Kids to Gems, Fine JewelryThe “Super Book of Gems” dives into the Mohs Hardness Scale, the Four C’s, and designs from jewelers like Cartier and Bulgari.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
MajorsSep 23, 2025
Mattioli Names Kering Exec as New CEOClaudio Pasta will take the lead at the Italian fine jewelry brand, succeeding company founder Licia Mattioli.
Weekly QuizSep 19, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsSep 23, 2025
Monique Lhuillier Adds Fashion Jewelry to Kay Jewelers LineThe new lab-grown diamond jewelry offering is the latest expansion of the designer’s “Bliss” collection.
SourcingSep 22, 2025
Rio Tinto Announces Final ‘Beyond Rare’ TenderThe miner is honoring the end of an era with an offering of 52 lots from the now-closed Argyle and the soon-to-close Diavik mines.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
MajorsSep 22, 2025
Jewelry Manufacturer Vibhor Acquires AlorThe California-based fine jewelry brand will retain its identity post-acquisition, with new collections launching next year.
CollectionsSep 22, 2025
Gurhan's Collection is an 'Untamed' ZooThe “Untamed” collection centers on carved gemstone jewelry depicting a range of animals embodying one of the four elemental forces.
Policies & IssuesSep 22, 2025
Ethical Metalsmiths Has a New Name Founded in 2004, the organization is now called the Community for Ethical Jewelry.
EditorsSep 19, 2025
These Female Athletes Had the Best Jewelry of the SummerFrom Coco Gauff’s hoops to Madison Keys’ diamond medallion, these are Senior Editor Lenore Fedow’s standout jewelry looks of the season.
CollectionsSep 19, 2025
Piece of the Week: Vanessa Fernández Studio’s ‘Curva’ Wrap HoopsThe trendy earrings feature asymmetrical drops, one with a grossular garnet and the other with a diamond.
Recorded WebinarsSep 19, 2025
Watch: A Step-by-Step Guide to Using TikTok and Instagram ReelsFour social media marketing experts discuss their go-to methods and favorite tools for making high-quality short-form video content.
Supplier BulletinSep 18, 2025
Will Your Design Define 2026? Enter The Spectrum & Cutting Edge AwardsSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
SurveysSep 18, 2025
Deloitte Thinks the Holidays Will Be Merry, PwC Isn’t So Sure In its holiday report, PwC said the season will be more like jazz—improvisational and less predictable—than an easy-to-follow melody.
MajorsSep 18, 2025
Pandora to Open New Distribution Center in MarylandThe jewelry giant will relocate its existing facility to a larger space in Anne Arundel.
CollectionsSep 18, 2025
Ashley Zhang Launches Garçon New YorkThe designer, who is the creative force behind her namesake brand, has now started a new mini line focusing on chains for fathers and sons.
SourcingSep 18, 2025
SSEF Opens Applications for 2 Gemology Education Scholarships The awards include tuition for a course at the Swiss lab, economy flights, and hotel accommodation.
TechnologySep 18, 2025
Hill & Co. Launches AI Strategy ProgramThe 21-day program was designed to help jewelry retailers identify opportunities and eliminate inefficiencies with AI.
TrendsSep 17, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s Book Tells the ‘Journey of a Jeweler’The Brazilian jeweler’s latest book marks her namesake brand’s 25th anniversary and tells the tale of her worldwide collaborations.
WatchesSep 17, 2025
Bob’s Watches Acquires Vintage Rolex Won on ‘The Price is Right’ The Submariner Ref. 1680 with a Tiffany & Co. dial came from the original owner, who won it as a prize on the game show in the 1970s.
TechnologySep 17, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Launches Shipping Solution App for Shopify The new integration allows users to manage shipments directly from the Shopify dashboard.
EditorsSep 16, 2025
Out & About: 7 Great Quotes From Converge in CarlsbadAt Converge 2025, Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff attended sessions on DEI, tariffs, security, and more. Here are her top takeaways.
CrimeSep 16, 2025
2 Robbery Suspects Killed in California Pawn Shop ShootoutSix people were shot last week at an Oakland cash-for-gold shop as employees exchanged gunfire with individuals trying to rob the store.
CollectionsSep 16, 2025
Chopard Adds New Designs to Its ‘Ice Cube’ Capsule CollectionThe jeweler has expanded its high jewelry offering, which launched last year, with new pieces featuring its cube motif that debuted in 1999.
SourcingSep 16, 2025
Natural Diamond Council Launches Retailer Accreditation ProgramBen Bridge Jeweler and Lux Bond & Green were a part of the pilot program.
