SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
AuctionsMay 17, 2017
‘Apollo’ and ‘Artemis’ Set an Auction Record for Earrings
The fancy vivid blue and fancy intense pink diamonds sold for $57.4 million at Sotheby’s on Tuesday.
The most valuable pair of earrings to ever hit the auction block, the Apollo Blue and the Artemis Pink sold for a total of $57.4 million at Sotheby’s Tuesday.
Geneva--A non-matching pair of pear-shaped fancy color diamonds have become the most valuable pair of earrings ever sold at auction.
The “Apollo Blue” and “Artemis Pink” diamonds hit the auction block at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale in Geneva, where they were sold as separate lots but garnered a combined total of $57.4 million.
The Apollo Blue is a fancy vivid blue diamond that weighs 14.54 carats. The internally flawless, Type IIb pear-shaped stone went for $42.1 million, falling within its pre-sale estimate of $38 to $50 million.
The Artemis Pink, a 16-carat fancy intense Type IIa pink pear-shaped diamond of VVS2 clarity, also sold within its pre-sale range when it garnered $15.3 million.
The same anonymous buyer bought both diamonds.
Sotheby’s originally named the stones after Apollo and Artemis, “a twin brother and sister of great power and beauty who were among the most widely venerated of the Ancient Greek deities,” but the buyer has renamed the stones.
The Apollo Blue has been changed to “The Memory of Autumn Leaves” and the Artemis Pink was renamed “The Dream of Autumn Leaves.”
They’re the most valuable earrings ever to be offered at auction, according to Sotheby’s, setting a world auction record for a pair of earrings but not breaking any records individually.
The auction record for a pink diamond was set last month by the $71.2 million sale of the 59.60-carat “CTF Pink,” which is also the most expensive jewel ever sold at auction.
The most expensive blue diamond ever sold at auction is the Oppenheimer Blue. The 14.62-carat fancy vivid blue stone sold for $57.5 million, or $3.9 million per carat, in May 2016.
Tuesday’s sale at Sotheby’s Geneva totaled $151.5 million with 90 percent of the lots selling.
Two more records were set at the auction--for a fancy intense purplish-pink diamond when a 7.04-carat diamond ring from Piaget went for $13.2 million, and the record per-carat price for that same fancy intense purplish pink diamond at $1.9 million per carat.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated on May 17 to reflect the renaming of the diamonds.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
