This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Golconda diamond expected to fetch up to $12M
A 52.58-carat D color, internally flawless Golconda diamond is expected to sell for up to $12.5 million at Christie’s New York on Dec. 10.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the fact that the 52.58-carat Golconda diamond is not from Leviev, as previously stated.
New York--A 52.58-carat D color, internally flawless Golconda diamond is expected to sell for up to $12.5 million at Christie’s New York on Dec. 10.
The Golconda mines, located in south central India, yield diamonds of a specific type and color and have the highest degree of transparency. This 52.58-carat octagonal-cut stone features “superior luminance, luster and distinct brilliance,” the auction house said.
Golconda diamonds have realized high auction prices in the past, including the $39.3 million sale of the 34.65-carat fancy intense pink “Princie Diamond” in April. The Princie set new world auction records for the most valuable Golconda diamond sold at auction and the most valuable diamond ever sold at Christie’s and in the United States.
Overall, Christie’s Dec. 10 auction of Magnificent Jewels is expected to total more than $45 million.
The 500-lot sale will include colored and colorless diamonds, rare gemstones, signed jewels and natural pearls.
Four Leviev lots from a private collector will be offered, including a diamond pendant necklace featuring a 22.12-carat pear-shaped diamond that is expected to fetch up to $3.5 million.
Meanwhile, an 18-karat white gold necklace featuring a 91.38-carat Burmese sapphire has a pre-sale high estimate of $1.2 million.
Also included in the sale are pieces from the late Marion Rumsey Cartier, who died in March 1994 at the age of 83. Her father was Pierre Cartier, one of the three Cartier brothers.
Among the Cartier lots is a loose 4.02-carat circular-cut D color, VVS2 clarity diamond, expected to sell for up to $250,000.
“2013 has proven to be a record-breaking year for jewelry auctions globally. Beginning with the historic sale of the Princie Diamond in New York in April to The Orange in Geneva this November, collectors worldwide paid record prices to acquire the rarest and finest gemstones that appeared on the auction block,” said Rahul Kadakia, head of jewelry for Christie’s Americas and Switzerland.
An e-catalogue of the auction can be found on Christie’s website.
The Latest

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.


The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Two existing executives have been given new roles.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

The large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.