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
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Tom DixonAs chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Day’s Jewelers Crafts Custom Jewelry for No.1 NBA Draft Pick Cooper FlaggThe parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
SourcingOct 14, 2025
Pragnell Debuts Kitulo Garnet Jewelry The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.
Weekly QuizOct 09, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent CalendarsThe trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of SalesJewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s CollectionThe line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11MThe rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ CollectionThe champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New CharmsKosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.
CrimeOct 07, 2025
Men Who Posed as Utility Workers Found Guilty in Jeweler’s MurderCarlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.
CollectionsOct 07, 2025
Jessica McCormack Looks to Sea Spirits for ‘Tempest’ CollectionThe brand’s first high jewelry collection, “Tempest” plays with movement while calling to mind the folklore of the sea.
SourcingOct 07, 2025
Columbia Gem House Announces ‘Opals for Outback Heroes’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.
MajorsOct 07, 2025
Stuller Names Its S.E.R.V.E Stars for 2025Stuller said the recipients embody the company’s core values, which include community participation and personal and professional growth.
WatchesOct 06, 2025
This Fall, Citizen’s Forecast Calls for RainCitizen’s new “Rainell” women’s watch has a raindrop-shaped case and is available with a silver-, gold-, purple-, or green-colored dial.
GradingOct 06, 2025
GIA India Names Former De Beers Exec as New Managing DirectorAmit Pratihari was previously the managing director of De Beers India and Forevermark India.
SourcingOct 06, 2025
SoCal 24 Karat Club Integrates Into Diamond Club West CoastMembers of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will gain access to expanded services, resources, and connections, DCWC said.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White MetalsGomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEODiamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire RingTaylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed SandIts “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.
