SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
AuctionsFeb 07, 2016
At $28.5 million, pink diamond sets record
Newly named the “Pink Josephine” and sold Tuesday at Christie’s Geneva, the 16.08-carat stone set a new world auction record price for a vivid pink diamond.
The 16.08-carat, VVS2 clarity diamond is the largest cushion-shaped fancy vivid pink ever to be offered at auction. It brought in $1.8 million per carat.
Geneva--A new world auction record for a vivid pink diamond was set overseas on Tuesday when a 16.08-carat fancy vivid pink diamond sold for $28.5 million.
The cushion-shaped stone, part of Christie’s Geneva sale of Magnificent Jewels, was purchased by an Asian private buyer who named it “Sweet Josephine.”
The diamond is exceedingly rare because it it shows absolutely no trace of a secondary color, Christie’s said, and its Type IIa classification means there is little to no nitrogen in the diamond.
Also notable is the size of the stone. The auction house said with diamonds in the fancy vivid pink range, stones of five or six carats are “rarely encountered” in the sale room and those weighing more than 10 carats are “virtually unheard of,” making a pink diamond as large as 16.08 carats increasingly hard to locate.
In total, the Nov. 10 auction fetched $109.5 million, selling 80 percent by lot and 86 percent by value.
The sale saw strong results for colored gemstones and natural pearls, with a fancy vivid yellow diamond, a bluish-gray diamond, a Burma sapphire and two pearl necklaces all making it into the auction’s top 10 lots.
Coming in as the second-highest lot after Sweet Josephine was a 50.48-carat pear-shaped, brilliant-cut internally flawless diamond of D color. It sold for $7.8 million, or $155,264 per carat.
A 91.81-carat cushion-shaped fancy vivid yellow diamond of VS2 clarity garnered $4.3 million, followed by a 118.88-carat cushion-shaped Burma sapphire, which brought in $4.2 million. Both stones were purchased by the Middle Eastern trade, according to Christie’s.
When it came to pearls, a single-strand natural pearl and diamond necklace sold for $2.2 million, and a single-strand natural pearl necklace with a diamond clasp realized $2.1 million.
“Selling the largest vivid pink cushion-shaped diamond … for a new world auction record price is a strong indication that there is still demand from clients from that end of the market for these truly precious stones,” said Rahul Kadakia, international head of Christie’s jewelry department. “This is also true for pieces of historic or royal provenance, which similarly attracted a lot of interest during the viewing and sold above estimate.”
Kadakia added that rubies also were in high demand, with 27 ruby lots in the auction selling “very well.”
A complete list of results of Tuesday’s Magnificent Jewels sale can be found on the Christie’s website.
More on Auctions
The Latest
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s CollectionThe line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11MThe rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.
Weekly QuizOct 09, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ CollectionThe champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New CharmsKosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.
CrimeOct 07, 2025
Men Who Posed as Utility Workers Found Guilty in Jeweler’s MurderCarlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.
CollectionsOct 07, 2025
Jessica McCormack Looks to Sea Spirits for ‘Tempest’ CollectionThe brand’s first high jewelry collection, “Tempest” plays with movement while calling to mind the folklore of the sea.
SourcingOct 07, 2025
Columbia Gem House Announces ‘Opals for Outback Heroes’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.
MajorsOct 07, 2025
Stuller Names Its S.E.R.V.E Stars for 2025Stuller said the recipients embody the company’s core values, which include community participation and personal and professional growth.
WatchesOct 06, 2025
This Fall, Citizen’s Forecast Calls for RainCitizen’s new “Rainell” women’s watch has a raindrop-shaped case and is available with a silver-, gold-, purple-, or green-colored dial.
GradingOct 06, 2025
GIA India Names Former De Beers Exec as New Managing DirectorAmit Pratihari was previously the managing director of De Beers India and Forevermark India.
SourcingOct 06, 2025
SoCal 24 Karat Club Integrates Into Diamond Club West CoastMembers of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will gain access to expanded services, resources, and connections, DCWC said.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White MetalsGomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEODiamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire RingTaylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed SandIts “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.
TrendsOct 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Colorful ShowThe month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-ReflectionSmith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.
EditorsOct 01, 2025
Playing Favorites: The Best Jewelry From VicenzaoroAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.
SurveysOct 01, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Month Low in September Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.
SourcingOct 01, 2025
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Falls 47%Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.
