MajorsJan 09, 2026
Kendra Scott Taps Activewear Exec as CEO Chris Blakeslee has experience at Athleta and Alo Yoga. Kendra Scott will remain on board as executive chair and chief visionary officer.
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
SurveysJan 09, 2026
U.S. Holiday Retail Sales Up 4%, Visa, Mastercard SayThe credit card companies’ surveys examined where consumers shopped, what they bought, and what they valued this holiday season.
CollectionsJan 09, 2026
Piece of the Week: Lionheart’s ‘Serenity’ Opal CharmThe “Serenity” charm set with 13 opals is a modern amulet offering protection, guidance, and intention, the brand said.
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.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Pandora’s New ‘Bridgerton’ Jewels Celebrate Bees, Bows, and Blooms“Bridgerton” actresses Hannah Dodd and Claudia Jessie star in the brand’s “Rules to Love By” campaign.
Weekly QuizJan 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJan 08, 2026
Ana Khouri To Receive 2026 Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceFounded by jeweler and sculptor Ana Khouri, the brand is “expanding the boundaries of what high jewelry can be.”
TrendsJan 08, 2026
Stuller’s Color of the Year Is a Stark Contrast to Pantone’s WhiteThe jewelry manufacturer and supplier is going with a fiery shade it says symbolizes power and transformation.
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.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Gracie Abrams To Front New Chanel Jewelry CampaignThe singer-songwriter will make her debut as the French luxury brand’s new ambassador in a campaign for its “Coco Crush” jewelry line.
MajorsJan 08, 2026
Diamond Council of America Names New Board DirectorsThe nonprofit’s new president and CEO, Annie Doresca, also began her role this month.
ColumnistsJan 07, 2026
Peter Smith: Physical Retail—The Beginning or the End?As the shopping mall model evolves and online retail grows, Smith shares his predictions for the future of physical stores.
Events & AwardsJan 07, 2026
Melee Adds 13 New Designers to NYC ShowThe trade show is slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at The Lighthouse in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.
TrendsJan 07, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Go for GarnetJanuary’s birthstone comes in a rainbow of colors, from the traditional red to orange, purple, and green.
SourcingJan 07, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Releases 2025 Impact ReportThe annual report highlights how it supported communities in areas where natural diamonds are mined, crafted, and sold.
CrimeJan 06, 2026
2 Jewelers Arrested After TraxNYC Diamond District BrawlFootage of a fight breaking out in the NYC Diamond District was viewed millions of times on Instagram and Facebook.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Rio Grande Says These Are the Top Personalization Tools for 2026The supplier has a curated list of must-have tools for jewelers doing in-house custom work this year.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Zales Tests Out A New LookThe Signet Jewelers-owned store, which turned 100 last year, calls its new concept stores “The Edit.”
MajorsJan 06, 2026
LeachGarner Appoints New Director of SalesLinda Coutu is rejoining the precious metals provider as its director of sales.
SourcingJan 06, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 BoardThe governing board welcomed two new members, Claire Scragg and Susan Eisen.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: New Year’s EditionSparkle with festive diamond jewelry as we celebrate the beginning of 2026.
IndependentsJan 05, 2026
Jeweler Ben Nighthorse Campbell Dies at 92The master jeweler, Olympian, former senator, and Korean War veteran founded the brand Nighthorse Jewelry.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
MajorsJan 02, 2026
Marc Metrick Out as CEO of Saks Global Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over the role as rumors swirl that a bankruptcy filing is imminent for the troubled retailer.
Events & AwardsJan 02, 2026
Jan Mohr, Couture’s ‘North Star,’ Dies at 71Mohr had just retired in June after more than two decades as Couture’s retailer liaison.
SourcingJan 02, 2026
IDCA Elects New President, Board of DirectorsShekhar Shah of Real Gems Inc. will serve as president of the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association in 2026.
CollectionsJan 02, 2026
Lalaounis’ 2026 Good Luck Charm Speaks to ResilienceThis year’s good luck charm features the mythical horse Pegasus, and is our first Piece of the Week of the new year.
EditorsDec 31, 2025
The Top 5 Stories of 2025Articles about crime, engagement rings, and a necklace worn in the World Series generated the most interest among readers.
