FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
AuctionsJun 15, 2017
Historic 18-Carat Rockefeller Emerald Up For Auction
The gemstone could set a world record for an emerald at Christie’s New York next week.
This 18.04-carat emerald, which once was in the private possession of the Rockefeller family, could sell for up to $6 million at Christie’s New York.
New York--An emerald that has been in the hands of a number of Rockefellers could become a record-setting stone when it hits the auction block next week.
The Rockefeller Emerald, an 18.04-carat octagonal step-cut Colombian emerald, will lead the Magnificent Jewels sale at Christie’s New York on June 20, where it could sell for between $4 and $6 million.
John D. Rockefeller Jr. acquired the emerald in 1930, and gifted it as a centerpiece of a brooch to his wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller.
When she died in 1948, the emerald went to their youngest son, David Rockefeller, who then asked private jeweler Raymond Yard to design a setting for it that would highlight the quality and beauty of the family gemstone. Yard set the gemstone in a platinum ring with diamond side stones, the setting it remains in today.
No longer in the possession of the Rockefeller family, the ring is being sold at Christie’s on behalf of an American collector who acquired it more than a decade ago.
If the emerald exceeds its highest pre-sale estimate--$6 million--by enough it could become the most expensive emerald at auction, surpassing Elizabeth Taylor’s 23.46-carat emerald and diamond Bulgari pendant, which sold for more than $6.5 million in December 2011 at Christie’s.
This modified lozenge mixed-cut fancy deep grayish bluish green diamond, weighing approximately 5.01 carats, could sell for between $2 and $4 million.
This ring features a 4.42-carat cut-cornered square modified brilliant-cut fancy intense green diamond, flanked by 1.02-carat and 1-carat cut-cornered rectangular modified brilliant-cut diamonds, in a circular-cut pink diamond surround. It is expected to sell for between $1.3 and $1.8 million.
This pendant necklace by Louis Comfort Tiffany features an articulated oval-cut sapphire with circular-cut emerald and yellow-brown diamond accents and set within a decorative frame of circular-cut sapphires, emeralds, colored diamonds and enamel. It could sell for as much as $70,000.
This necklace from Van Cleef & Arpels features an 18-karat white gold “zipper” trimmed with alternating onyx cabochons and circular-cut diamonds, a diamond pull and onyx bead tassel. It’s estimated to sell in the range of $180,000 and $280,000.
The Christie’s New York Magnificent Jewels sale will feature more than 270 lots.
Among the expected top lots is a modified lozenge mixed-cut fancy deep grayish-bluish green diamond, weighing approximately 5.01 carats and set in platinum, which is expected to sell for between $2 and $4 million.
The June auction also will include a selection of exceptional fancy colored and colorless diamonds and signed period and modern jewels by Buccellati, Bulgari, Cartier, David Webb, Graff, Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels, among others.
The sale also is highlighted by two historically significant private collections by Cartier and Tiffany, with the latter featuring 58 pieces of Louis Comfort Tiffany and Tiffany & Co. jewels that one were part of The Garden Museum Collection in Japan.
Browse all the lots in the sale by visiting Christies.com.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
Weekly QuizAug 29, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry BuyerFormer Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis StudentsThe jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond CutsThe singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income WorriesPlans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil CampaignThe Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-GiftingIn his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a WrapWrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry EmpireThree C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 StoresThe retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.
