Sherry Smith shares data on the year gone by, including the breakdown between natural and lab-grown diamond sales.
These 2 Fancy Color Diamonds Captured Buyers’ Hearts in HK
The 5.04-carat fancy vivid blue diamond led Sotheby’s jewelry auction, selling for $10.6 million Friday.
Hong Kong—Buyers fell in love with two fancy color diamond hearts at auction Friday.
The stones garnered $18.7 million between them at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Hong Kong, the auction house’s first live sale in Asia since the onset of COVID-19.
The 5.04-carat fancy vivid blue heart modified brilliant-cut diamond, flanked by two pear-shaped diamonds and mounted in platinum, led the auction at $10.6 million, topping its highest pre-sale estimate of $9.7 million.
Its sister stone, a 4.49-carat heart modified brilliant-cut fancy vivid pink diamond, flanked by pear-shaped diamonds and mounted in 18-karat white gold, became the No. 3 lot overall when it garnered $8.1 million.
Falling between them at No. 2 was a necklace comprised of 37 jadeite beads described as having a “highly translucent brilliant emerald green color” and a clasp set with a cabochon ruby and single-cut diamonds.
It sold for $10.4 million.
RELATED CONTENT: 12-Carat Marquise Blue Diamond Sells for $16M at Christie’sAt No. 4 was another jade lot, a cylindrical jadeite bangle of “very good translucency and even emerald green color,” that sold for $2 million.
The fifth highest-grossing lot of the jewelry auction was the 4.05-carat marquise-shaped fancy intense purplish-pink diamond ring pictured below, which sold for $1.6 million, beating its pre-sale estimate.
Going for more than three times its pre-sale estimate and selling for $210,000 was an antique diamond bracelet signed by Garrard, the London-based jeweler to the British crown, given to Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II’s sister, on her 21st birthday.
It was said to be a favorite of hers, as she was seen wearing it in public often.
Meanwhile, a number of colorless diamonds expected to be among the top lots went unsold.
A pair of unmounted diamond hearts, both weighing 10.51 carats each, was expected to sell for between $1.8 million and $2.1 million total but failed to find a buyer at the jewelry auction Friday, as did a 22.18-carat D flawless emerald-cut diamond and an 18-carat cushion D IF brilliant-cut diamond.
Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction totaled $56.5 million.
For full jewelry auction results, visit Sothebys.com.
The Latest
The company also is matching donations made to Jewelers of America and the Diamond Council of America’s Jewelers Relief Fund.
Now in its fourth year, the program is expanding to include a list of “20 Under 40” for jewelry suppliers.
The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
Core retail sales during the 2024 holiday season surpassed the National Retail Federation’s forecast.
The “Reach for Life” collection uses feather and arrow motifs to invite growth and inner curiosity.
Peter Smith pulls back the curtain on the often misinterpreted, and sometimes maligned, world of sales training.
A Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year takes the form of jewelry through gemstones and enamel that look just as delicious as mocha mousse.
From raffles to auctions to donations, the industry is working to aid charities in Los Angeles amid the raging wildfires.
Julia Hackman Chafé and Monica Elias have joined the organization’s board of directors.
The company, which owns Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, had a record Q3, with sales topping $6 billion.
The necklace features a sapphire drop weighing more than 9 carats that detaches to transform into a ring.
Jameel Mohammed, founder of Afrofuturist brand Khiry, will receive a cash prize and a one-year paid fellowship with Tiffany & Co.
The 127-year-old jeweler is planning to open a new store in Mystic, Connecticut.
The watches’ dials feature artwork celebrating the vibrant energy and unique landscapes of six of America’s national parks.
The jewelry trade show returns to The Venetian Expo and The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas from June 6 to 9.
Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights her favorite fashion jewelry pieces from the upcoming “Unapologetically Iris” auction.
The closures are part of the retailer’s plan to close 150 locations over a three-year period.
The online guide is available for free and written with the jewelry industry in mind.
The awards honor the late Jose Hess, a founding member of AJDC and an award-winning jewelry designer.
The grading lab said the search for her successor is underway.
In this special op-ed, designer Jules Kim calls on big brands to collaborate with independent creators instead of copying their designs.
A pioneering figure in gemology, he is remembered for his spirit of generosity, curiosity, and joy.
The peak selling days leading up to Christmas did not meet the jewelry retailer’s expectations.
Schneider brings over 20 years of luxury and fashion industry experience to his role as a key member of the brand’s global leadership team.
Gemfields said the Zambian government revoked the 2019 suspension of the tax with no warning.