Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
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

The 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.

From Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

The partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.


The owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.

Jeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.

The new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.

NDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.

The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.

She wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.

Two pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.

The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.

In his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.

José Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.

It has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.

The owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.

The company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.

The retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.

Megan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.

Following decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.

The museum’s new exhibition will feature one of Jesse Owen’s Olympic medals, Yogi Berra’s crown, Super Bowl rings, and more.

The new program provides access to media exposure and editorial opportunities for exhibitors and retailers.

The “Eclipse” jewelry collection captures the fleeting moment where light and shadow align though onyx, diamonds, and freshwater pearls.

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
























