WatchesSep 25, 2026
Smaller Rolex Watches Showing Strength on Secondary Market, Data ShowsFive of the 10 fastest-appreciating Rolex models on Bob’s Watches were Datejust 31 or Lady Datejust watches.
AuctionsSep 19, 2018
5-Carat ‘Ai’ Blue Diamond to Sell for $12-15M
The rare stone is the highlight of Sotheby’s Oct. 3 jewelry auction in Hong Kong.
The 5-carat “Ai” fancy vivid blue diamond is the highlight of Sotheby’s Oct. 3 jewelry auction in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong—A 5-carat fancy vivid blue diamond ring will be the highlight of Sotheby’s upcoming jewelry auction in Hong Kong.
Named the “Ai” diamond after the Chinese word for love, the stone is expected to sell for between $12.5 and $15.3 million when it hits the block next month.
It is the leading lot in Sotheby’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite jewelry sale, slated for Oct. 3 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
In addition to the Ai diamond, the jewelry auction will feature a pair of earrings with old European brilliant-cut fancy vivid yellow diamonds weighing 51.17 carats total—“well-matched” in color, ton and saturation, Sotheby’s said—accented with white diamonds. They are designed to depict a fruitful harvest of melons flowering from their vines.
The earrings, pictured below, could sell for between $4.8 and $6.1 million. 
There also will be a number of important jade pieces, including a necklace composed of 51 jadeite beads of a brilliant emerald green color and with “very good” translucency, with a diamond clasp signed Chaumet. Pictured below, its pre-sale estimate is available upon request by Sotheby’s. 
The jewelry auction also will include two fine jadeite bangles displaying hues of both lavender and green that blend seamlessly. Possessing strong saturation and fine translucency, the pair will be sold separately, with estimates of $665,000-$895,000 (left bangle) and $640,000-$895,000 (right bangle).
The jewelry auction also will have a section featuring works created by celebrated Asian contemporary designer Wallace Chan. This includes the tanzanite, chalcedony and diamond ring seen below, which could sell for as much as $230,000, as well as the earrings pictured below featuring conch pearl, gems and diamonds, which could sell for between $281,000 and $408,000.
The gallery also shows a pair of gem-set earrings from Chan, also featuring jade and diamonds, which are expected to garner between $70,500 and $109,000.
Chan was the first Asian jeweler to exhibit at the Biennale in Paris in 2012, and today can be seen at such major fairs as The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF) and Masterpiece in London. His pieces are sought by collectors from around the world.
Rounding out the jewelry auction will be a selection of red carpet necklaces by jewelers such as Van Cleef & Arpels and David Morris, as well as a vintage Bulgari suite, and a curated selection of jewels primarily from the 1950s
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
and 1960s from a “distinguished” private collection.
More on Auctions
The Latest
MajorsSep 25, 2026
Sherwood Family Buys Back Daniel’s Jewelers from Private EquityThe Sherwood family and AJS Creations CEO Tejas Shah purchased the jewelry chain back from Palladium Equity Partners.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2026
Brilliant Earth Collabs with Elizabeth Taylor Estate on Jewelry Collection“The Elizabeth Taylor Collection” uses lab-grown diamonds and gemstones in contemporary designs inspired by the icon.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
TrendsSep 25, 2026
A Peek at Taylor Swift’s Game-Day DiamondsThe artist wore Dana Rebecca Designs’ marquise diamond-set gold hoops at the Chiefs game last Sunday. Now they’re our Piece of the Week.
Weekly QuizSep 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
TrendsSep 24, 2026
This New Jewelry Book Decodes the Secret Meaning in Victorian Jewelry“Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry” unveils the meaning behind the symbols, motifs, and gemstones used in Victorian-era jewelry.
Lab-GrownSep 24, 2026
Kira Jewels Opens B2B E-Commerce Portal for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry KIRAJewels.one gives retailers access to more than 500 SKUs of lab-grown diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, PersonalizationThis holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.
SourcingSep 23, 2026
Organization That Promotes Natural Diamond Rebrands for Third Time The Natural Diamond Council is now The Diamond Collective and has announced a new strategy under CEO Amber Pepper.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
This Milwaukee-Area Jeweler Is Serving the 7CsPaul’s Jewelers sells coffee, chocolate, and cookies from a custom gold-wrapped trailer parked outside the store starting at 7 a.m.
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on LovePart of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Exhibition Opening at Arkansas Museum The curation, opening soon at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, honors the jeweler’s heritage through a distinctly American lens.
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry CollabThe jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Texas Jewelers Association to Celebrate 120th AnniversaryThe association will mark the milestone at its convention next month.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event ReturnsThe jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn EditionThe four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to RetireBernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
