SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
AuctionsSep 26, 2016
27-Carat Diamond Fails to Sell at Sotheby’s NY
The actual top lot of last Thursday’s Important Jewels sale turned out to be a 24.72-carat sapphire ring that went for $706,000.
Though this platinum and oval-shaped 27.35-carat diamond ring was predicted to be the top lot in the Important Jewels sale at Sotheby’s New York, it didn’t end up selling.
New York--The first jewelry sale of the fall at Sotheby’s New York didn’t turn out as expected.
A platinum ring set with an oval-shaped 27.35-carat diamond was predicted to lead the Important Jewels auction last Thursday with a sale price of between $2 and $2.5 million.
But not only did it not lead the sale, the ring failed to sell period. The diamond was not mentioned when the results were released.
Instead, the top jewel turned out to be a Bulgari ring featuring a cushion-cut sapphire weighing 24.72 carats accented by 9 carats of pear-shaped diamonds. The ring, expected to sell for up to $350,000, instead garnered $706,000.
A 10.10-carat marquise-shaped diamond flanked by two tapered baguette diamonds garnered $634,000 at the auction and a square emerald-cut diamond weighing 10.02 carats with trapeze-cut diamonds of 1.75 carats followed with a $394,000 price tag.
This Bulgari ring with a cushion-cut sapphire weighing 24.72 carats at center accented by pear-shaped diamonds weighing a total of 9 carats had a pre-sale estimate of between $250,000 and $350,000. It ended up selling for twice that at $706,000.
This ring with a marquise-shaped diamond weighing 10.10 carats at center and flanked by two tapered baguette diamonds went for $634,000.
Another diamond ring, this one centering on a square emerald-cut diamond weighing 10.02 carats, flanked by trapeze-cut diamonds weighing a total of 1.75 carats, garnered $394,000.
This suite from Van Cleef & Arpels went for $340,000. The necklace features yellow and blue sapphires and diamonds, with a detachable pendant-brooch boasting an 84.90-carat yellow sapphire at center, and matching earrings.
This ring from René Lalique circa 1900 is designed as a green-blue glass face of Medusa, with blue and green enamel scales applied to the snake. It garnered $322,000, well above its $15,000 to $20,000 pre-sale estimate.
A platinum and 18-karat gold ring boasting a cut-cornered rectangular modified brilliant-cut fancy yellow 16.48-carat diamond and 1.50-carats of shield-cut diamond on the side sold for $225,000.
A Tiffany & Co. ring with a cut-cornered rectangular modified mixed-cut diamond weighing 5.69 carats at center surrounded by two modified triangle-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 0.60 carats went for $200,000.
A floral Bulgari brooch with one oval-shaped cabochon emerald at center, the petals set with round and single-cut rubies and pink sapphires and diamond accents, sold for $187,500.
This platinum bracelet is set with five oval-shaped emerald cabochons (approximately 21.35 carats) accented by round, baguette, old European and single-cut diamonds (about 17.70 carats). It garnered $187,500.
This Bulgari Serpenti wristwatch with onyx eyes, diamonds and a quartz movement sold for $175,000.
Meanwhile, a Van Cleef & Arpels suite featuring a necklace with blue and yellow sapphires and diamonds set in 18-karat gold along with a matching set of ear clips went for $340,000, while a Medusa molded glass and enamel 18-karat gold ring from renowned designer René Lalique went for well over its pre-sale high of $20,000 when it sold for $322,000.
A Bulgari Serpenti wristwatch with a quartz movement also appeared in the top 10 lots, with onyx and diamonds, at $175,000, as did a floral Bulgari brooch set with emeralds, rubies, pink sapphires and diamond accents, which sold for $187,500.
The sale totaled $8.6 million. For the full list of results, visit Sothebys.com.
More on Auctions
The Latest
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
