AuctionsNov 03, 2025
Kashmir Sapphire Ring Tops Christie's Online AuctionAuctionsNov 10, 2025
300+ Colored Diamonds Up for Auction at Christie’s
Late collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.
“The Rainbow Collection,” a single lot of 300-plus fancy colored diamonds, will be offered at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction, scheduled to take place Tuesday in Geneva.
Geneva—A collection of more than 300 loose fancy colored diamonds is coming to Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva Tuesday.
“The Rainbow Collection” features diamonds of varying cuts and sizes in hues spanning the full chromatic spectrum—red, blue, yellow, orange, pink, and grey.
Christie’s said it is one of the “most extensive and conceptually coherent” collections of natural fancy colored diamonds ever created.
The auction houses estimates that it will sell for between $2 million and $3 million.
Each diamond in the collection was chosen for its ability to represent a singular, unrepeatable hue, Christie’s said.
Eddy Elzas, a prominent collector and diamond expert who died in late 2021, assembled the collection.
Elzas got his start as a diamond cleaver and later moved on to diamond trading.
In the 1970s, while working as a broker in South Africa, he was shown a cigar box filled with colored diamonds that had proved difficult to sell because at the time, colored diamonds were considered commercially less valuable than white diamonds.
It sparked his interest, and Elzas became dedicated to sourcing “the rarest hues, the most captivating cuts, and the stories behind each stone,” Christie’s said.
He also taught about colored diamonds at the Gemological Institute of America, where he helped shape future gemologists and influenced the market’s perception of value.
Christie’s said The Rainbow Collection is a symbol of “wonder, elegance, and the pursuit of perfection.”
Related stories will be right here …
“The Rainbow Collection” features diamonds of varying cuts and sizes in hues spanning the full chromatic spectrum—red, blue, yellow, orange, pink, and grey.
Christie’s said it is one of the “most extensive and conceptually coherent” collections of natural fancy colored diamonds ever created.
The auction houses estimates that it will sell for between $2 million and $3 million.
Each diamond in the collection was chosen for its ability to represent a singular, unrepeatable hue, Christie’s said.
Eddy Elzas, a prominent collector and diamond expert who died in late 2021, assembled the collection.
Elzas got his start as a diamond cleaver and later moved on to diamond trading.
In the 1970s, while working as a broker in South Africa, he was shown a cigar box filled with colored diamonds that had proved difficult to sell because at the time, colored diamonds were considered commercially less valuable than white diamonds.
It sparked his interest, and Elzas became dedicated to sourcing “the rarest hues, the most captivating cuts, and the stories behind each stone,” Christie’s said.
He also taught about colored diamonds at the Gemological Institute of America, where he helped shape future gemologists and influenced the market’s perception of value.
Christie’s said The Rainbow Collection is a symbol of “wonder, elegance, and the pursuit of perfection.”
More than 100 jewels will be on offer at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction, including the 9.51-carat Mellon Blue diamond (est. $20 million to $30 million), which once belonged to American horticulturalist and philanthropist Bunny Mellon.
Three notable private collections also will be up for auction.
“A Splendid Casket of Ancestral Jewellery” features ruby jewels from a collection inherited by Helena Violet Alice (née Fraser), Third Countess of Stradbroke (1874-1949).
At the Coronation of Edward VII in 1902, the Countess wore this ruby and diamond tiara (left), which is estimated to achieve $360,000 to $600,000, with this ruby and diamond brooch (right), which is estimated to sell for $1.4 million to $2 million.
A collection of 25 pieces by JAR—the second-largest JAR collection ever to appear at auction, according to Christies—is also a highlight.
A fancy purplish-pink 8.68-carat diamond ring estimated to fetch $2.5 million to $3.5 million is part of the collection.
A ring by JAR featuring an 8.68-carat fancy purplish-pink colored diamond
A diamond-set articulated band depicting a Chinese pagoda and boat within an Oriental Garden, set with caliber-cut emeralds, rubies, and onyx, circa 1925, signed Lacloche Freres No. 65724.
Other highlights include a brooch featuring a 65.46-carat unheated Burmese blue sapphire. Its pre-sale estimate is $2.6 million to $3.8 million.
Also on offer are a Tiffany & Co. Art Nouveau floral brooch designed by Paulding Farnham (est. $110,000 to $150,000) and an Art Deco diamond and gem-set Lacloche Frères bracelet (est. $410,000 to $630,000) unseen on the market for nearly 20 years.
Magnificent Jewels will take place Tuesday at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
CrimeFeb 06, 2026
Florida Man Sentenced After Selling Fake Native American Jewelry for a Decade Prosecutors say the man attended arts and craft fairs claiming he was a third-generation jeweler who was a member of the Pueblo tribe.
FinancialsFeb 06, 2026
Pandora’s North America GM Departs Amid Executive ChangesNew CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier shared her priorities for the Danish jewelry company this year as part of its fourth-quarter results.
TrendsFeb 06, 2026
Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi Wear Matching Cece Jewellery Signet RingsOur Piece of the Week picks are these bespoke rings the “Wuthering Heights” stars have been spotted wearing during the film’s press tour.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
MajorsFeb 05, 2026
Pandora to Begin Selling Platinum-Plated JewelryThe introduction of platinum plating will reduce its reliance on silver amid volatile price swings, said Pandora.
Weekly QuizFeb 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingFeb 05, 2026
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2026, Anglo Mulls Another WritedownIt would be the third impairment charge in three years on De Beers Group, which continues to grapple with a “challenging” diamond market.
IndependentsFeb 05, 2026
Borsheims to Undergo Massive Renovation in the Spring The Omaha jewelry store’s multi-million-dollar renovation is scheduled to begin in mid-May and take about six months.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
CollectionsFeb 05, 2026
Marco Bicego’s Amethyst Collection Travels to a Purple ParadiseThe “Paradise Amethyst” collection focuses on amethyst, pink tourmaline, garnet, and 18-karat yellow gold beads.
FinancialsFeb 05, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Reports Strong Holiday Results in Q3The retailer credited its Roberto Coin campaign, in part, for boosting its North America sales.
ColumnistsFeb 04, 2026
January Jewelry Sales: More Dollars Spent, Fewer Units Sold Sherry Smith unpacks independent retailers’ January performance and gives tips for navigating the slow-growth year ahead.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
What Designers Should Know About Saks Global’s BankruptcyFrom how to get an invoice paid to getting merchandise returned, JVC’s Sara Yood answers some complex questions.
TrendsFeb 04, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: February Birthstone BlissAmethyst, the birthstone for February, is a gemstone to watch this year with its rich purple hue and affordable price point.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Marco Bicego Names New Global Marketing DirectorThe Italian jewelry company appointed Matteo Cuelli to the newly created role.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Frederick Goldman Updates Leadership TeamThe manufacturer said the changes are designed to improve speed, reliability, innovation, and service.
Policies & IssuesFeb 03, 2026
Tariff Relief on Horizon for India as Trump, Modi Make DealPresident Trump said he has reached a trade deal with India, which, when made official, will bring relief to the country’s diamond industry.
CollectionsFeb 03, 2026
Jade Trau Releases New Charms, Introduces RondellesThe designer’s latest collection takes inspiration from her classic designs, reimagining the motifs in new forms.
WatchesFeb 03, 2026
Casio America Calls Jersey City HomeThe watchmaker moved its U.S. headquarters to a space it said fosters creativity and forward-thinking solutions in Jersey City, New Jersey.
SourcingFeb 03, 2026
Nivoda Reveals Upgraded Gemstone MarketplaceThe company also announced a new partnership with GemGuide and the pending launch of an education-focused membership program.
GradingFeb 02, 2026
IGI to Acquire American Gemological Laboratories IGI is buying the colored gemstone grading laboratory through IGI USA, and AGL will continue to operate as its own brand.
CrimeFeb 02, 2026
Ylang 23’s Dallas Store BurglarizedThe Texas jeweler said its team is “incredibly resilient” and thanked its community for showing support.
EditorsFeb 02, 2026
Stars Choose Chokers, Elongated Earrings at 2026 GrammysFrom cool-toned metal to ring stacks, Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the jewelry trends she spotted at the Grammy Awards.
CollectionsFeb 02, 2026
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the fact that the 2026 Olympics are taking place in two different cities.
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
