Auctions

This 14-Carat Pink Diamond Mined in Russia Is Up for Sale

AuctionsOct 13, 2020

This 14-Carat Pink Diamond Mined in Russia Is Up for Sale

Named “The Spirit of the Rose,” the fancy vivid purple-pink diamond is expected to go for as much as $38 million at auction.

20201013_Alrosa_pink_diamond_header.jpg
Sotheby’s is putting this 14.83-carat fancy vivid purple-pink diamond up for sale at its upcoming Magnificent Jewels auction, scheduled for Nov. 11 in Geneva.

Geneva—A nearly 15-carat fancy vivid purple-pink diamond mined in Russia a few years ago is going up for sale at Sotheby’s.

The auction house announced Monday it will offer “The Spirit of the Rose” at its Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva next month and predicts the stone will sell for between $23 million and $38 million.

Its planned sale follows Sotheby’s auction of a 102.39-carat D flawless diamond, which sold for $15.7 million last week, underperforming when compared to similar stones sold at auction in recent years.

The 14.83-carat diamond’s highest auction estimate, $38 million, is well below the $60 million one colored diamond expert predicted it would sell for back in August 2019.

Commenting on the stone’s sale, Benoit Repellin, who is heading the Magnificent Jewels auction for Sotheby’s, said: “Pink diamonds … have captured the imagination of collectors for centuries, making up five out of the 10 most valuable diamonds ever sold at auction.

“These exceptional sales, all realized in the last decade, are a testament to the growing appreciation and awareness of the great scarcity of these natural treasures around the world. With the supply of these beautiful stones becoming ever more limited, they are likely to continue to become even more prized.”

The mine that produces the bulk of the world’s pink diamonds, Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine in Western Australia, is set to close by year’s end.

The Spirit of the Rose is an oval modified brilliant-cut diamond that is internally flawless. Sotheby’s said the stone, which was graded by the Gemological Institute of America, is the largest vivid purple-pink diamond ever to appear at auction.

Its name is a nod to “La Spectre de la Rose,” an acclaimed ballet performed by the Ballets Russes company in Monaco in 1911.

Alrosa cut the diamond from the largest chunk of pink rough ever mined in Russia, a 27.85-carat diamond unearthed in July 2017. It consigned the diamond to Sotheby’s for auction.


The 27.85-carat piece of rough that produced “The Spirit of the Rose” was dubbed “The Nijinsky,” also a ballet reference. Alrosa recovered it from the Ebelyakh deposit in northeastern Russia.

The Spirit of the Rose will be on exhibit prior to the auction next month, though the diamond is not coming to the United States.

Sotheby’s will show it in Hong Kong on Oct. 13 and 14, Singapore on Oct. 20 and 21 and Taipei on

Oct. 27 and 28, before it returns to Geneva.

The diamond will be on display there from Nov. 7-10, ahead of the auction, which is set for Nov. 11.

The Spirit of the Rose was one in a trio of exceptional natural color diamonds mined and cut by Alrosa. It dubbed the collection “The Spectacle.”

Another stone in The Spectacle, a 20.69-carat yellow diamond, was sold to Graff.

No details have yet been released on the third stone.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Windsor Jewelry in Indianapolis, Indiana
IndependentsFeb 06, 2025
106-Year-Old Jewelry Store Saved by New Owners

Two attorneys purchased Windsor Jewelry, which was set to close, and will retain all existing staff at the downtown Indianapolis store.

Two images of Adam Heyman in Sri Lanka
MajorsFeb 06, 2025
Oscar Heyman Employee Celebrates 60 Years With the Company

Adam Heyman joined the family business in 1965, just weeks after graduating from Columbia Business School.

De Beers Jewellers Embrace Bracelet
CollectionsFeb 06, 2025
De Beers Jewellers’ New High Jewelry Pays Homage to the Beauty of Trees

The “Essence of Nature, Chapter One” collection echoes trees and roots, literally and figuratively, through three sets of high jewelry.

Top Image.png
Brought to you by
3 Ways to Capitalize on America’s Newfound Love of Colored Gems

Colored stones are stepping into a jewelry spotlight typically reserved for diamonds—are you ready to sell color?

Hamilton Jewelers Worth Avenue interior
IndependentsFeb 06, 2025
Hamilton Jewelers Revamps Palm Beach Boutique

The fourth-generation, family-owned jeweler has given its Worth Avenue store a new look.

Weekly QuizFeb 06, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Stock image of a gavel
CrimeFeb 05, 2025
‘The Timepiece Gentleman’ Sentenced to 5-Plus Years Behind Bars

Luxury watch dealer Anthony Farrer pleaded guilty late last year to defrauding clients in a scheme with Ponzi-type elements.

Pandora sparkling bow necklace
FinancialsFeb 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Double-Digit Growth After Strong Holiday Season

In its full-year results, the retailer shared its 2025 outlook and an update on the global rollout of its lab-grown diamond collection.

Resolutions - 2025.jpg
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers

The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.

Seal & Scribe “Freedom Moon” Ring
TrendsFeb 05, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Feeling Fabulous in February

Celebrate February birthstones and the gem shows in Arizona this month with a versatile stone like amethyst.

Diamond Council of America logo
MajorsFeb 05, 2025
DCA Promotes Kristen Scheetz to Director of Education, Membership

Scheetz has been with the nonprofit since 2007.

Trucks at the Orapa diamond mine in Botswana
SourcingFeb 04, 2025
New Deal With Botswana Is Done, De Beers Confirms

The agreement will allocate an increasing proportion of the country’s rough diamonds to the government of Botswana over the next decade.

Van Clef & Arpels Diane (Diana) Clip
Events & AwardsFeb 04, 2025
Van Cleef & Arpels’ Astronomy-Inspired Jewelry to Land at AMNH

“Cosmic Splendor: Jewelry From the Collections of Van Cleef & Arpels,” opens April 11 at the American Museum of Natural History.

Chocolate box ring by Mined + Found
SurveysFeb 04, 2025
Valentine’s Day Jewelry Spending Forecast to Hit Record High, Says NRF

Those celebrating Valentine’s Day this year are expected to spend a record $27.5 billion on jewels, flowers, candy, and more.

Lady Gaga Tiffany & Co.  necklace worn to the 2025 Grammys
EditorsFeb 03, 2025
Best Jewelry Moments From the 2025 Grammy Awards

From Lady Gaga’s 1930s Tiffany & Co. necklace to Taylor Swift’s “T,” Michelle Graff recaps the night’s most memorable jewelry looks.

HSN+ QVC+ logos on a television, laptop, and phone screen
MajorsFeb 03, 2025
Qurate to Close HSN’s Florida HQ Amid Restructuring

Layoffs will reportedly start next month as HSN plans to move into QVC’s location in Pennsylvania.

Jewelry designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey looking at colored gemstones
EditorsFeb 03, 2025
Q&A: 5 Jewelry Designers on Shopping the 2025 Tucson Gem Shows

A group of creatives talked to Associate Editor Lauren McLemore about their approach to the annual Tucson gem, mineral, and fossil shows.

Lalaounis Blossom Rosette charm
CollectionsJan 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: Lalaounis’ Good Luck Charm for 2025

The “Blossom Rosette” blooms with love, beauty, and hope for the year ahead.

Harvey Rovinsky, former owner of Bernie Robbins Jewelers
IndependentsJan 31, 2025
Harvey Rovinsky, Longtime Owner of Bernie Robbins Jewelers, Dies at 77

Rovinsky is remembered as a great mentor who made the employees of his stores feel like family.

Three diamonds in a row
Events & AwardsJan 31, 2025
Facets of Fire Has a Diamond Challenge for Retailers

For every jeweler who tries their luck, the company will make a donation to Jewelers for Children.

Women’s Jewelry Association logo
MajorsJan 30, 2025
WJA Chapter Leaders Resign as Fallout From DEI Remarks Snowballs

The boards of at least five chapters have resigned in response to controversial statements the WJA national board president made last month.

Jewelry writer and curator Melanie Grant
Policies & IssuesJan 30, 2025
RJC Executive Director Melanie Grant Is Stepping Down

An experienced jewelry writer and curator, Grant led the organization for two years.

Pharrell Williams and Tiffany Titan by Pharrell Williams Tahitian Pearl Necklace
CollectionsJan 30, 2025
Pharrell Williams Brings Tahitian Pearls to His New Tiffany & Co. Collection

Five new designs were added, all donning Tahitian cultured pearls and spear-like trident motifs, along with the new “Titan” setting.

Converge 2025 logo
Events & AwardsJan 30, 2025
Registration Open for Converge 2025

The inaugural event is being co-hosted by the American Gem Society and the Gemological Institute of America.

Annie Doresca, Jake Duneier, John W. Ford Sr., Margot Grinberg, and Ivette Stephanopoulos
MajorsJan 30, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York Elects 5 New Members

Jewelers of America’s Annie Doresca and AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr. are among the new members.

Boucheron Scarabée Rhinocéros ring/brooch and Chardon necklace
CollectionsJan 29, 2025
Boucheron’s High Jewelry Takes the Form of ‘Untamed Nature’

The jeweler’s latest high jewelry collection looks into the Boucheron archives to create a “living encyclopedia of high jewelry.”

Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Bone Cuff
FinancialsJan 29, 2025
LVMH Watch, Jewelry Sales End the Year Down

Watch and jewelry sales slipped 3 percent in 2024, though the luxury conglomerate did see business pick up in the fourth quarter.

Olivier Kessler-Gay
MajorsJan 29, 2025
Chanel Names New General Manager of Watches, Fine Jewelry for US

Olivier Kessler-Gay will take over the role on March 3.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy