Sherry Smith shares data on the year gone by, including the breakdown between natural and lab-grown diamond sales.
Shirley Temple’s Big Blue Diamond Fails to Sell
The 9.54-carat fancy deep blue stone that once belonged to “America’s Little Darling” didn’t find a buyer at Sotheby’s New York Tuesday.
New York--Though big blue diamonds have been setting records in the auction world as of late, it looks like there’s one that will have to wait a little longer to find a buyer.
The 9.54-carat fancy deep blue, potentially internally flawless, VVS2 clarity diamond ring long owned by American child actress-turned-ambassador Shirley Temple failed to find a buyer when it hit the auction block Tuesday night at Sotheby’s New York.
The cushion-modified brilliant-cut diamond was estimated to garner between $25 million to $35 million.
The failed sale of Shirley Temple blue follows the sales of the 10.10-carat oval-shaped fancy vivid blue De Beers Millennium Jewel 4 ($31.8 million) and the record-breaking 12.03-carat fancy vivid Blue Moon diamond ($48.5 million) and precedes the offer of another astounding blue stone, the 14.62-carat fancy vivid Oppenheimer Blue, which some believe could eclipse the $48.5 million sale of the Blue Moon.
After the stone failed to find a buyer, Sotheby’s issued a statement about the sale: “The Shirley Temple Blue Diamond is an exceptional stone in quality, rarity and provenance. It has been an honor to share its story with collectors, connoisseurs and Temple’s loyal fans over the past few months. Unfortunately, tonight wasn’t its night in the salesroom, but we remain fully confident that it will find a buyer.”
Temple’s father bought the ring for her for $7,210 in early 1940 (the equivalent of about $125,000 today), around the time of her 12th birthday and the premiere of her film The Blue Bird.
When it announced the sale of the Shirley Temple diamond in March Sotheby’s said that the movie might have inspired his purchase of a blue diamond more than the stone’s perceived rarity or value, as colored diamonds were not as coveted at that time as they are in today’s market.
The ring stayed in Temple’s possession until her death in 2014 and was offered in its original Art Deco-inspired setting, flanked by four rows of baguette diamonds.
The Latest
The company also is matching donations made to Jewelers of America and the Diamond Council of America’s Jewelers Relief Fund.
Now in its fourth year, the program is expanding to include a list of “20 Under 40” for jewelry suppliers.
The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
Core retail sales during the 2024 holiday season surpassed the National Retail Federation’s forecast.
The “Reach for Life” collection uses feather and arrow motifs to invite growth and inner curiosity.
Peter Smith pulls back the curtain on the often misinterpreted, and sometimes maligned, world of sales training.
A Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year takes the form of jewelry through gemstones and enamel that look just as delicious as mocha mousse.
From raffles to auctions to donations, the industry is working to aid charities in Los Angeles amid the raging wildfires.
Julia Hackman Chafé and Monica Elias have joined the organization’s board of directors.
The company, which owns Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, had a record Q3, with sales topping $6 billion.
The necklace features a sapphire drop weighing more than 9 carats that detaches to transform into a ring.
Jameel Mohammed, founder of Afrofuturist brand Khiry, will receive a cash prize and a one-year paid fellowship with Tiffany & Co.
The 127-year-old jeweler is planning to open a new store in Mystic, Connecticut.
The watches’ dials feature artwork celebrating the vibrant energy and unique landscapes of six of America’s national parks.
The jewelry trade show returns to The Venetian Expo and The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas from June 6 to 9.
Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights her favorite fashion jewelry pieces from the upcoming “Unapologetically Iris” auction.
The closures are part of the retailer’s plan to close 150 locations over a three-year period.
The online guide is available for free and written with the jewelry industry in mind.
The awards honor the late Jose Hess, a founding member of AJDC and an award-winning jewelry designer.
The grading lab said the search for her successor is underway.
In this special op-ed, designer Jules Kim calls on big brands to collaborate with independent creators instead of copying their designs.
A pioneering figure in gemology, he is remembered for his spirit of generosity, curiosity, and joy.
The peak selling days leading up to Christmas did not meet the jewelry retailer’s expectations.
Schneider brings over 20 years of luxury and fashion industry experience to his role as a key member of the brand’s global leadership team.
Gemfields said the Zambian government revoked the 2019 suspension of the tax with no warning.