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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
MajorsJun 08, 2026
Stuller Expands Selection of Lab-Grown Diamonds, Demi-Fine JewelryThe jewelry manufacturer has added Taylor Swift-esque diamond shapes, and more silver, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewelry.
SourcingJun 08, 2026
Sally Morrison to Depart De Beers This Summer Morrison has been marketing diamonds on and off since the early 2000s and said she is leaving to “pursue new projects.”
TrendsJun 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: June’s Birthstone TrioThose born in June can celebrate with pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone jewelry.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
TechnologyJun 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings Launches Ring Builder PlatformThe platform allows retailers to guide clients through a customizable engagement ring buying experience in a branded interface.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
SourcingJun 05, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsJun 01, 2026
Design Atelier Brands Have a Big Night at Emotional Couture Design AwardsThe show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
