IndependentsNov 25, 2025
Pearl Stringer Margaret Hoisik DiesShe is remembered as an artist who loved her craft and was devoted to her faith, her friends, and her family.
AuctionsApr 26, 2017
Historic ‘Stotesbury Emerald’ Sells at Sotheby’s
The top lot of the NY sale, though, was a pair of earrings with emerald-cut diamonds weighing 20.29 and 20.02 carats that went for $5.3 million.
The Stotesbury Emerald, a 34.40-carat hexagonal gemstone, sold for $996,500 at Sotheby’s New York on Tuesday.
New York--The 34.40-carat “Stotesbury Emerald,” which has passed through the hands of three well-known American jewelry collectors in its history, sold for $996,500 Tuesday.
The final hammer price for the stone, which appeared in the Sotheby’s New York Magnificent Jewels sale, fell within its pre-sale estimate of between $800,000 and $1.2 million.
The 34.40-carat hexagonal stone has been in a number of different settings over the years, with the style changing based on its owners’ desires.
According to Sotheby’s, the green gemstone first belonged to American mining heiress and Washington, D.C., socialite Evalyn Walsh McLean, and was set in a Cartier pendant that also featured the 94.80-carat pear-shaped Star of the East diamond.
Just a few years later, after an exchange between her and the jewelry house involving the emerald and the Hope diamond went south and led to a court battle, the emerald ended up back in Cartier’s possession.
The next owner was Eva Stotesbury, the daughter of a well-known lawyer. She acquired many of her great jewels during her second marriage, to prominent financier Edward Stotesbury. She had the emerald, which would thereafter bear her name, set in a pendant with diamonds as part of a Cartier suite.
In 1943, that suite was sold to none other than Harry Winston, who set the emeralds in the suite into more contemporary pieces, according to Sotheby’s. The Stotesbury was set in a ring, the setting it still is in today, and sold to American socialite, philanthropist and jewelry collector May Bonfils Stanton.
The 34-carat emerald next appeared in the 1971 sale of Stanton’s estate by Parke-Bernet Galleries, where it went to a private buyer and has remained until its sale at Sotheby’s this week. 
The emerald was the sixth highest-grossing lot in the sale, which totaled nearly $29 million.
The top lot was a pair of earrings (pictured above) comprised of two square emerald-cut diamonds weighing 20.29 and 20.02 carats, topped by two smaller square emerald-cut diamonds weighing 1.01 carats each and further accented with small round diamonds weighing approximately 0.70 carats. They sold for $5.3 million.
The earrings were followed by a rose gold pendant, set with an 11.19-carat pear-shaped fancy pink diamond that garnered $2.4 million; an emerald-cut fancy gray-blue diamond weighing 5.07 carats, accented on the mounting by baguette, triangle and single-cut diamonds weighing approximately 0.30 carats, which sold for $1.6 million; and a pair of earrings
featuring two suspended pear-shaped diamonds weighing 7.36 and 7.03 carats, topped by six round sapphires weighing approximately 1 carat, which went for $1.3 million.
Also topping the $1-million mark was a cut-cornered square mixed-cut fancy vivid green diamond weighing 1.64 carats, flanked by two cut-cornered triangle-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 0.65 carats, which sold for $1.2 million.
Also topping the $1-million mark was a cut-cornered square mixed-cut fancy vivid green diamond weighing 1.64 carats, flanked by two cut-cornered triangle-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 0.65 carats, which sold for $1.2 million.
More on Auctions
The Latest
SourcingNov 25, 2025
Finestar Opens Diamond Manufacturing Facility in JohannesburgIt joins the company’s other manufacturing facilities globally, including in India, Botswana, and Namibia.
TrendsNov 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Polka DotsThe polka dot pattern transcends time and has re-emerged as a trend in jewelry through round-shaped gemstones.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
CrimeNov 25, 2025
Former Arizona AG Official Charged With Trafficking Stolen JewelryVanessa Hickman, 49, allegedly sold a diamond bracelet that was mistakenly sent to her home.
Weekly QuizNov 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsNov 25, 2025
GIA Awards Susan Jacques With Its Highest HonorGIA’s former president and CEO was presented with the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement.
Recorded WebinarsNov 24, 2025
Watch: Top Tips for Social Media EtiquetteSocial media experts spoke about protecting brand reputation through behaving mindfully online.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
WatchesNov 24, 2025
Breitling Reveals Plans for Gallet, Universal GenèveIn 2026, the three will come together as “House of Brands,” with Gallet sold in Breitling stores and Universal Genève sold separately.
CollectionsNov 24, 2025
Muse Debuts a Wicked 'Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo' SequelThe second drop, which includes more Elphaba-inspired pieces from additional designers, will continue to benefit nonprofit Dreams of Hope.
IndependentsNov 24, 2025
J.R. Dunn Jewelers Names New PresidentSecond-generation jeweler Sean Dunn has taken on the role.
MajorsNov 21, 2025
Natural Diamond Council Names New CEOAmber Pepper’s main focus will be on digital innovation and engaging younger consumers.
SourcingNov 21, 2025
De Beers’ Branded, Traceable Diamonds Roll Out to 19 Retailers Called “Origin by De Beers Group,” the loose, polished diamonds are being sold in a total of 30 stores in the United States and Canada.
CollectionsNov 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Melissa Kaye’s ‘Rocky Infinity’ NecklaceThe lariat necklace features a 4.88-carat oval-cut Zambian emerald in 18-karat yellow gold.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
