This year’s Design Atelier is full of gems.
‘The Moon of Baroda’ is Going Back Up on the Block
Christie’s will attempt to sell the 24-carat yellow diamond again in Hong Kong next month.

Hong Kong—It is a 24-carat yellow diamond with an intriguing back story, and it’s going back up on the auction block this fall.
As part of its fall jewelry auction in Hong Kong, Christie’s is offering “The Moon of Baroda,” a fancy yellow pear-shaped stone from the legendary Golconda mines probably best known in the modern world for adorning Marilyn Monroe’s neck.
The actress wore it in 1953 while promoting the release of “Gentleman Prefer Blondes,” the film where she famously sang “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” a phrase that, incidentally, found a new owner earlier this month.
While Monroe made the diamond famous in the mid-50s, its storied history stretches back hundreds of years.
Christie’s said the Gemological Institute of America determined recently that the diamond was from Golconda, the region of India known as Hyderabad today that produced some of the world’s biggest and most beautiful diamonds until its mines dried up in the early part of the 20th century.
The Hope Diamond, Dresden Green and Wittelsbach-Graff all came from Golconda, and Christie’s said The Moon of Baroda was likely mined there between the 15th and 17th centuries, as were the 105.6-carat Koh-i-Noor and the 19.07-carat Grand Mazarin.
At one time, the diamond might have been part of the collection of the Gaekwads of Baroda, one of India’s wealthiest ruling families.
In more recent years, the diamond has belonged to Cleveland, Ohio-based diamond cutter Samuel H. Deutsch, who bought it in 1944 and sold it to Meyer Rosenbaum, president of Detroit’s Meyer Jewelry Company, in 1953.
Nearly four decades later, The Moon of Baroda went up for auction, selling at Christie’s New York for $297,000 in 1990.
The current estimate on the diamond, which is being sold with an autographed picture of Monroe wearing it, is HK $4-6 million ($510,300 to $765,450).
The Moon of Baroda is part of the Nov. 27 Magnificent Jewels sale at Christie’s Hong Kong.
Also included in the sale is “The Peacock Necklace” (pictured above), a diamond and sapphire necklace set with 21 Kashmir sapphires weighing a total of 109.08 carats.
Christie’s estimated the Peacock will set for HK $95 million to $120 million ($12-15 million).
The Latest

They’re a testament to the power of excellent design.

This year’s honorees include one of Florida’s largest independent jewelers and two multi-store independents in the Chicago and New York areas.

The most trusted diamond report, available in print or the GIA App.

The industry’s most influential contemporary designers are showcasing their latest jewelry designs.


Created by Maitri Lab-Grown Diamonds and graded by IGI, it’s slightly bigger than the record-setting lab-grown diamond GIA just examined.

The marketing agency has integrated its first C-suite.

Navigate origin determination with Continuing Education seminars offered by the GIA Alumni Collective™.

The jewelry trade show also will debut educational content centered around social media.

Luxury kicks off today, with the full show in swing on Friday.

One of the three new collections was inspired by the legend of a woman who traded her mansion to Cartier for two strands of natural pearls.

Rob Ballew will be tasked with communicating the jewelry giant’s plans and financial performance to investors.

With the app, customers receive a 15-day insurance offer on new purchases while their coverage needs are being evaluated.

It is in House of Showfields, a bazaar-style retail space in the borough’s Williamsburg neighborhood.

From consumer trends to retail technology, these are the JCK Talks sessions that should be on attendees’ radar.

They will be celebrated at the annual dinner dance and gala in the fall.

Gemologists have long used machines in diamond grading but technology has made it possible for them to “learn” how to do it on their own.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by IGI

Watch retailers Jeffery Bolling and Bobby Bengivengo discuss employee training, customer education and the sticky subject of future value.

The company has plans to revamp the Movado brand and offer less expensive watches this year.

Sponsored by Noam Carver

As cybercrime incidents threaten the industry, jewelers need to know what they’re up against and the best ways to protect their businesses.

The Pittsburgh jeweler is redoing the lighting and showcases, and adding a full hospitality bar as well as new shop-in-shops.

The Yurman Family Crystalline Pass is inside the museum’s brand-new Richard Gilder Center.

Zale has more than 40 years’ experience in the diamond industry, including 17 years as Stuller’s VP of diamonds and gemstones procurement.

The Strip is full of new restaurant and entertainment offerings.

National Jeweler’s senior editor covering fashion, trends, and design highlights the latest looks in the market.