Auctions

The 60-Carat ‘Pink Star’ Will Return to Auction Next Month

AuctionsMar 20, 2017

The 60-Carat ‘Pink Star’ Will Return to Auction Next Month

The 59.60-carat internally flawless fancy vivid pink diamond is estimated to sell for more than $60 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong.

20170320_Pink-Star-1.jpg
“The Pink Star” is a 59.60-carat oval-cut Type IIa pink diamond and the largest internally flawless fancy vivid pink diamond the Gemological Institute of America has ever graded.
Hong Kong--An oval pink diamond weighing almost a whopping 60 carats will hit the auction block in Hong Kong next month.

“The Pink Star” is a 59.60-carat oval-cut Type IIa pink diamond and the largest internally flawless fancy vivid pink diamond the Gemological Institute of America has ever graded. The diamond came from a 132.5-carat piece of rough mined by De Beers in Africa in 1999 before being cut and polished over a two-year period.

It will lead the Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite sale at Sotheby’s Hong Kong on April 4, where it’s estimated to sell for more than $60 million.

The Pink Star has been called a “true masterpiece of nature, beyond characterization with human vocabulary” in a GIA monograph written for the stone.

The stone is more than twice the size of the “Graff Pink,” a 24.78-carat fancy intense pink diamond that currently holds the world auction record for a pink diamond--that sold at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2010 for $46.2 million.

But there’s some other context for the stone, as this will not be its first time at auction.

The stone hit the auction block in November 2013 at Sotheby’s Geneva, where four different bidders competed for it. The winning bid was $83 million, which, at the time, marked a new auction record for any diamond.

Then in February 2014, Sotheby’s announced that the buyer of The Pink Star had defaulted on the payment for the stone and as a result, the auction house had to take the diamond into inventory as it had been sold under an auction guarantee.

Last summer, Sotheby’s announced that it had formed a partnership with Diacore and Mellen Inc. to acquire an ownership interest in the diamond, meaning that when the stone sold, proceeds would be split among the three companies per their ownership percentage. 
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

The Luanda Accord signatories at the African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
At Meeting in South Africa, Support for Natural Diamonds Picks Up Steam

Namibia has formally signed the Luanda Accord, while two key industry organizations pledged to join the Natural Diamond Council.

Bad Bunny Performing Super Bowl LX Halftime Show
TrendsFeb 10, 2026
Bad Bunny Wears Football-Shaped ‘Desert Diamond’ for Halftime Performance

Lady Gaga, Cardi B, and Karol G also went with diamond jewelry for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show honoring Puerto Rico.

Miraki Jewels heart diamond signet ring
SurveysFeb 10, 2026
Shoppers to Spend Big on Jewelry This Valentine’s Day, Says NRF

Jewelry is expected to be the No. 1 gift this year in terms of dollars spent.

MJSA Apprenticeship Guide
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

Launched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.

Pomellato Nudo toi et moi ring
FinancialsFeb 10, 2026
Kering Plans Transformation as 2025 Sales Sink 13%

As star brand Gucci continues to struggle, the luxury titan plans to announce a new roadmap to return to growth.

Weekly QuizFeb 05, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Stuller color of the year 2026 Signature Red jewelry and gemstones
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
AGTA To Debut ‘Stuller Color of the Year’ Spectrum Awards Category

The new category asks entrants for “exceptional” interpretations of the supplier’s 2026 color of the year, which is “Signature Red.”

Stock image of loose polished diamonds
Policies & IssuesFeb 09, 2026
U.S., India Trade Deal One Step Closer to Being Finalized

The White House issued an official statement on the deal, which will eliminate tariffs on loose natural diamonds and gemstones from India.

JamAlert 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell Jammers

Criminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.

CASE Awards Graphic
Events & AwardsFeb 09, 2026
JA Now Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE Awards

Entries for the jewelry design competition will be accepted through March 20.

James Free Jewelers Dayton Ohio store
IndependentsFeb 09, 2026
James Free Jewelers Unveils Revamped Flagship

The Ohio jeweler’s new layout features a curated collection of brand boutiques to promote storytelling and host in-store events.

KIL NYC The Pierced Padlock Wounded
TrendsFeb 09, 2026
These 14 Jewels Will Melt Your Heart This Valentine’s Day

From heart motifs to pink pearls, Valentine’s Day is filled with jewelry imbued with love.

Stock image of a gavel
CrimeFeb 06, 2026
Florida Man Sentenced After Selling Fake Native American Jewelry for a Decade

Prosecutors say the man attended arts and craft fairs claiming he was a third-generation jeweler who was a member of the Pueblo tribe.

Luciano Rodembusch
FinancialsFeb 06, 2026
Pandora’s North America GM Departs Amid Executive Changes

New CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier shared her priorities for the Danish jewelry company this year as part of its fourth-quarter results.

Cece Jewellery Bespoke Wuthering Heights Signet Rings on Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi
TrendsFeb 06, 2026
Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi Wear Matching Cece Jewellery Signet Rings

Our Piece of the Week picks are these bespoke rings the “Wuthering Heights” stars have been spotted wearing during the film’s press tour.

Pandora platinum
MajorsFeb 05, 2026
Pandora to Begin Selling Platinum-Plated Jewelry

The introduction of platinum plating will reduce its reliance on silver amid volatile price swings, said Pandora.

Entrance to the Jwaneng diamond mine in Botswana
SourcingFeb 05, 2026
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2026, Anglo Mulls Another Writedown

It would be the third impairment charge in three years on De Beers Group, which continues to grapple with a “challenging” diamond market.

Rendering of renovated Borsheims store
IndependentsFeb 05, 2026
Borsheims to Undergo Massive Renovation in the Spring

The Omaha jewelry store’s multi-million-dollar renovation is scheduled to begin in mid-May and take about six months.

Marco Bicego Paradise Amethyst Long Necklace
CollectionsFeb 05, 2026
Marco Bicego’s Amethyst Collection Travels to a Purple Paradise

The “Paradise Amethyst” collection focuses on amethyst, pink tourmaline, garnet, and 18-karat yellow gold beads.

Watches of Switzerland Regent Street London store
FinancialsFeb 05, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Reports Strong Holiday Results in Q3

The retailer credited its Roberto Coin campaign, in part, for boosting its North America sales.

Headshot of Sherry Smith, National Jeweler columnist and vice president of coaching strategy and development at the Edge Retail Academy
ColumnistsFeb 04, 2026
January Jewelry Sales: More Dollars Spent, Fewer Units Sold

Sherry Smith unpacks independent retailers’ January performance and gives tips for navigating the slow-growth year ahead.

Saks Fifth Avenue New York storefront
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
What Designers Should Know About Saks Global’s Bankruptcy

From how to get an invoice paid to getting merchandise returned, JVC’s Sara Yood answers some complex questions.

Jacquie Aiche Raw Amethyst Cluster Starburst Diamond Ring
TrendsFeb 04, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: February Birthstone Bliss

Amethyst, the birthstone for February, is a gemstone to watch this year with its rich purple hue and affordable price point.

Matteo Cuelli
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Marco Bicego Names New Global Marketing Director

The Italian jewelry company appointed Matteo Cuelli to the newly created role.

Bryan Cowan, Thomas Schwartz, Liliana Estrella
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Frederick Goldman Updates Leadership Team

The manufacturer said the changes are designed to improve speed, reliability, innovation, and service.

Stock image of shipping containers
Policies & IssuesFeb 03, 2026
Tariff Relief on Horizon for India as Trump, Modi Make Deal

President Trump said he has reached a trade deal with India, which, when made official, will bring relief to the country’s diamond industry.

Jade Trau Spring Summer 2026 Collection Campaign
CollectionsFeb 03, 2026
Jade Trau Releases New Charms, Introduces Rondelles

The designer’s latest collection takes inspiration from her classic designs, reimagining the motifs in new forms.

Casio Headquarters Jersey City, New Jersey
WatchesFeb 03, 2026
Casio America Calls Jersey City Home

The watchmaker moved its U.S. headquarters to a space it said fosters creativity and forward-thinking solutions in Jersey City, New Jersey.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy