AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MAuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not Sell
A matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
PHOTO These Type IIa, D-color diamonds each weighing 18.38 carats sold for $3.3 million Wednesday at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in Geneva.
PHOTO This 6.03-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, expected to be the auction’s top lot, did not sell.
Editor's Note: This story was updated post-publication to include a statement from Sotheby’s on the future of the blue diamond.
Geneva—Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction took place in Geneva Wednesday, with the leading lot—a 6.03-carat fancy vivid blue diamond—going unsold.
Recovered from South Africa’s Cullinan mine, the blue diamond is internally flawless and was expected to sell for $9.2 million to $12.3 million but did not find a buyer.
However, in a statement shared with National Jeweler on Thursday, Sotheby’s indicated that the diamond may be sold soon.
The auction house said, “It has been a privilege to present the exceptional and rare 6.03-carat fancy vivid blue diamond ring to international collectors and connoisseurs in recent weeks.
“Although the diamond didn’t find a buyer during the auction, we are now in conversations with several interested parties and are confident that it will find a new home soon.”
Instead, the top lot of the sale was a matching pair of 18.38-carat, Type IIa, D-color diamonds—one flawless and one internally flawless—from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine.
A private international buyer paid $3.3 million for the pair, within the range of their pre-sale estimate of $2.8 million to $3.5 million.
In total, the jewelry auction garnered $30.1 million, with 93 percent of lots sold.
Sotheby’s said it had more than five paddles registered as bidding for each lot sold, marking the highest participation in one of its Geneva jewelry sales in five years, and more than 60 percent of the lots sold above their high estimate.
Geneva—Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction took place in Geneva Wednesday, with the leading lot—a 6.03-carat fancy vivid blue diamond—going unsold.
Recovered from South Africa’s Cullinan mine, the blue diamond is internally flawless and was expected to sell for $9.2 million to $12.3 million but did not find a buyer.
However, in a statement shared with National Jeweler on Thursday, Sotheby’s indicated that the diamond may be sold soon.
The auction house said, “It has been a privilege to present the exceptional and rare 6.03-carat fancy vivid blue diamond ring to international collectors and connoisseurs in recent weeks.
“Although the diamond didn’t find a buyer during the auction, we are now in conversations with several interested parties and are confident that it will find a new home soon.”
Instead, the top lot of the sale was a matching pair of 18.38-carat, Type IIa, D-color diamonds—one flawless and one internally flawless—from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine.
A private international buyer paid $3.3 million for the pair, within the range of their pre-sale estimate of $2.8 million to $3.5 million.
In total, the jewelry auction garnered $30.1 million, with 93 percent of lots sold.
Sotheby’s said it had more than five paddles registered as bidding for each lot sold, marking the highest participation in one of its Geneva jewelry sales in five years, and more than 60 percent of the lots sold above their high estimate.
The second highest-grossing lot of the sale was a circa 1950 emerald and diamond necklace with 13 graduating teardrop-shaped cabochon emeralds weighing between 57.82 and 11.38 carats, pictured above.
A private buyer from Asia paid $2.5 million for the piece, which was estimated to sell for $1 million to $2 million.
“The Peacock of Ceylon,” a massive, unmounted sapphire weighing 102.40 carats (pictured below), sold to a private buyer for about $2 million, against an estimate of $1.3 million to $1.9 million.
A private buyer from Asia paid $2.5 million for the piece, which was estimated to sell for $1 million to $2 million.
“The Peacock of Ceylon,” a massive, unmounted sapphire weighing 102.40 carats (pictured below), sold to a private buyer for about $2 million, against an estimate of $1.3 million to $1.9 million.
Rounding out the sale’s top five lots were a 4.12-carat fancy pink diamond ring, bought by a private buyer from Asia for $1.5 million, and an emerald and diamond necklace featuring step-cut emeralds weighing between 13.24 and 3.08 carats made by Bucherer in 1986.
An anonymous buyer paid $1 million for the piece.
Related stories will be right here …
An anonymous buyer paid $1 million for the piece.
“Collectors have again favored colored gemstones above all else, but it’s been exciting to see a white diamonds resurgence, with several white diamond jewels selling in excess of their high estimates,” said Jessica Wyndham, head of high jewelry for Sotheby’s Geneva.
“And, of course, there is still a lot of love for signed jewelry, including the bold 1970s and 1980s styles such as striking pieces from Bulgari, many of which soared above their high estimates.”
To see the full results, visit the Sotheby’s website.
More on Auctions
The Latest
Lab-GrownJul 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Changes Her Mind on Lab-Grown DiamondsThe designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.
SourcingJul 13, 2026
De Beers Announces Potential Layoffs, 2-Year Production Pause at VenetiaThe diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
Registration Opens for JIS Fall 2026 ShowThe annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026AGTA also has announced the lineup of judges for the colored gemstone cutting and jewelry design contest’s various categories.
Weekly QuizJul 09, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyJul 10, 2026
There’s a New Blind Box for Luxury Watches Collectibles platform Arena Club’s new Time Boxes could contain a Rolex or Patek Philippe watch.
TrendsJul 10, 2026
Jade Trau Creates a Constellation of DiamondsThe “Constellation Plié” collar, our Piece of the Week, features diamonds arranged in a constellation of shining stars.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
SourcingJul 10, 2026
CFO of De Beers’ Consumer-Facing Division Leaves Company Shaun Wills joined the company in 2024 and was chief financial officer of the De Beers Brands and Consumer Markets division.
WatchesJul 10, 2026
Brilliant Earth Expands Into WatchesIn honor of its 20th anniversary, the jewelry brand has released a limited-edition collection of Swiss-made timepieces.
CollectionsJul 09, 2026
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Collection Is an Ode to the Human Touch“Human Being” highlights the similarities and differences between us through five sets of jewelry that celebrate fine craftsmanship.
WatchesJul 09, 2026
Damiani Group Finalizes Acquisition of Baume & MercierRichemont will continue to provide operational services for the watch brand for a period while the group prepares to integrate it.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
Halstead Names 2026 Grant WinnerEnoch Platero, founder and designer behind Enoch Michael, is the first Native American jeweler to win the award.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
AGS, GIA Name 2026 Beatrice Shipley Scholarship WinnerAGS also announced the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Kendra Scott Joins ‘Shark Tank’ As Permanent Investor The founder of the billion-dollar jewelry and lifestyle brand will debut as a full-time “Shark” on the upcoming season of the show.
SurveysJul 08, 2026
Signet Jewelers Falls 5 Spots on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListPlus, why retailers should be ready to adjust as the U.S. population may decline this year for the first time since the Great Depression.
CrimeJul 08, 2026
Here’s What Thieves Stole From the Lalique Museum René Lalique’s “Woman Dragonfly With Open Wings” pendant, the first piece the museum acquired, was one of the jewels taken.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Richline Group Promotes 2 ExecsArien Gessner and Moss Makhoulian have been elevated into newly created roles.
ColumnistsJul 07, 2026
Peter Smith: Diamond Branding and the Origin ParadoxA podcast prompted Smith to share his views on where origin fits into the natural diamond story and the viability of branded diamonds.
Events & AwardsJul 07, 2026
JA Announces 2026 Impact Initiative RecipientsThe association selected eight recipients for the funding program, which is in its second year.
TrendsJul 07, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ruby, White and Blue Whether celebrating America’s 250th birthday or the USA’s World Cup run, July birthstone jewelry can double as a patriotic accessory.
CrimeJul 07, 2026
Thieves Steal Millions in Jewels From France’s Musée LaliqueAround 20 pieces of jewelry were stolen from the museum dedicated to French jeweler and glassmaker René Lalique.
CollectionsJul 07, 2026
Robinson Pelham Is Partying Like It’s 1996The “Summer of ’96” campaign and collection celebrate the year the brand was founded for its 30th anniversary.
SourcingJul 06, 2026
Gemfields CEO Sean Gilbertson Steps DownAfter eight years, Gilbertson is leaving his post at the mining company, which is currently facing a slew of operational challenges.
IndependentsJul 06, 2026
Bachendorf’s To Open Fifth Store In DallasThe new location is set to open this winter, featuring the retailer’s first rotating jewelry designer residency.
MajorsJul 06, 2026
Graff Names BTS Star Jung Kook as New AmbassadorThe pop artist appears in the latest campaign for the “Laurence Graff Signature” collection.
CollectionsJul 06, 2026
Pandora’s New Baroque Pearl Collection Is a Whimsical ‘Wonder’One-of-a-kind pearls take the shape of ice cream cones, frogs, submarines, and other imaginative charms.
