Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
October Brings Little Change to Consumer Confidence Consumers are feeling more optimistic about their present situation while the short-term future remains a little scary.
AuctionsDec 11, 2020
43-Carat Kashmir Sapphire Tops Auction at $6 Million
Harry Winston bought the jewel at a Christie’s sale that saw numerous sapphires perform well.
This 43.10-carat Kashmir sapphire and diamond platinum bracelet became the top lot of the Christie’s NY Magnificent Jewels sale when Harry Winston purchased it for $6 million Tuesday.
New York—An extraordinary Kashmir sapphire came out on top in a recent jewelry auction.
The top lot of the Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction held Dec. 8 in New York was a platinum bracelet featuring a 43.10-carat sapphire surrounded by 67.90 carats of D color, internally flawless diamonds. Purchased by none other than Harry Winston, the piece sold for $6 million.
There were a number of other notable sapphires sold in the jewelry auction.
This included a 21.73-carat cabochon Kashmir sapphire ring by Van Cleef & Arpels from 1917 that garnered $1.7 million, an Art Deco Cartier brooch featuring a 12.64-carat Kashmir sapphire and diamonds that went for $1.5 million, and a Burmese sapphire necklace weighing 80.86 carats that sold for $1.1 million.
These follow another sapphire that topped a jewelry auction at Bonhams this week—during the house’s New York Jewels sale on Dec. 7, a 17.21-carat Kashmir sapphire and diamond brooch from the collection of a prominent American family went for $1.1 million. It was estimated to sell for between $500,000 and $800,000.
Meanwhile, at Christie’s, there also was a pair of earrings featuring a 2.61-carat fancy intense purplish-pink pear modified brilliant-cut diamond and a 2.34-carat fancy intense pink pear modified brilliant-cut diamond with colorless diamond accents in platinum and rose gold that went for $2.1 million.
See: Additional Lots in Christie’s NY Magnificent Jewels Auction
This Belle Époque ring from Van Cleef & Arpels circa 1917, featuring a 21.73-carat sapphire and diamond accents in platinum, sold for $1.7 million at Christie’s New York’s recent Magnificent Jewels sale.
An Art Deco Cartier bracelet featuring a 12.64-carat sapphire and diamonds that garnered $1.5 million
The Du Pont padparadscha sapphire was acquired by the current owner’s great-grandmother while on holiday in Ceylon in 1937, according to Christie’s. The 24.58-carat cushion modified mixed-cut orangey-pink sapphire, set in a gold and platinum ring with diamonds, sold for $930,000 at Christie’s Tuesday.
The sale also saw a 102.61-carat cushion modified brilliant-cut unmounted diamond in the Y to Z color range sell for above its pre-sale estimate when it garnered $1.7 million, a pair of diamond drop earrings from Moussaieff fetch $942,000, and the Du Pont padparadscha—a 24.58-carat cushion modified mixed-cut sapphire—set in a ring with diamond accents, top its pre-sale high to garner $930,000 on Tuesday.
Magnificent Jewels totaled $44.6 million, selling 95 percent by value and 91 percent by volume after 10 hours of bidding.
For the full results, visit Christies.com.
More on Auctions
The Latest
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
Couture Partners With Time to WatchesThe company, which organizes a watch show in Geneva every spring, will bring a selection of watch brands to the 2026 Couture show in Vegas.
TrendsOct 29, 2025
Beth Bernstein Releases Vintage Jewelry Guide“The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewellery” follows the evolution of jewelry design from the ‘30s to the ‘80s with buying and styling advice.
EditorsOct 29, 2025
Why Creepy, Crawly Bugs Inspire Beautiful JewelryFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow explores the symbolism behind spiders, beetles, and other eerie insects.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsOct 28, 2025
Meet the 2026 Gem Award NomineesNotable jewelry designers, members of the press, and retailers are up for an award at next year’s gala.
Recorded WebinarsOct 28, 2025
Watch: The State of the Jewelry Industry Leaders from Jewelers of America and National Jeweler discuss the gold price, tariffs, and more in this one-hour webinar.
Brought to you by
DESERT DIAMONDS: The Newest Trend in Natural Diamond JewelryFrom sunlit whites to smoky whiskeys, introduce your clients to extraordinary diamonds in colors as unique as their love.
CollectionsOct 28, 2025
Eriness Reflects on Life in ‘One of One’ CollectionAfter experiencing motherhood, growth, and loss, founder and designer Erin Sachse has created 10 irreplaceable jewels.
CrimeOct 27, 2025
Arrests Made in Louvre Jewel Heist One of the individuals was apprehended at the airport as he was trying to flee the country.
MajorsOct 27, 2025
Target to Cut 1,800 Corporate JobsThe retailer, which has faced struggling sales in recent quarters, is looking to streamline its operations.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2025
Hill Management Group Hired to Help Atlanta Jewelry ShowHill Management Group will oversee, market, and produce next year’s spring show.
GradingOct 24, 2025
DMIA to Hold Diamond Testing Instrument DemoThe workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.
CrimeOct 24, 2025
Video Emerges of Louvre Jewelry Robbers Fleeing the Scene The footage shows two of the jewelry heist suspects descending from the second floor of the museum and then escaping via scooter.
CollectionsOct 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Wyld Box Jewelry’s ‘Ray of Light’ EarringsFounder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.
FinancialsOct 23, 2025
Jewelry Sales Resilient Despite Struggles at LVMH, KeringThe luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.
SourcingOct 23, 2025
Petra Diamonds Turns to Shareholders to Raise Capital The struggling diamond mining company, which owns the historic Cullinan mine, has launched a rights issue to raise about $25 million.
WatchesOct 23, 2025
‘Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches’ Recounts Watch HistoryThe book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.
AuctionsOct 23, 2025
Freeman’s | Hindman Names New VP, Senior Specialist for Jewelry & WatchesAlexis Vourvoulis, who most recently worked at Tiffany & Co., brings more than two decades of jewelry experience to her new role.
TrendsOct 22, 2025
The Taylor Swift Effect: Antique Diamonds EditionThe superstar’s August engagement put the stamp of approval on an already hot engagement ring trend.
TrendsOct 22, 2025
Don’t Forget These Diamond Jewelry Trends When Stocking for the HolidaysRetailers should offer classic styles with a twist that are a perfect fit for layered looks, experts say.
AuctionsOct 22, 2025
Pink Diamond, Vanderbilt Jewels to Headline Phillips’ Geneva AuctionThe nearly 7-carat fancy vivid purplish pink diamond could sell for around $9 million.
SourcingOct 22, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 22, 2025
Tiffany & Co.’s ‘Bird on a Rock’ Finds New PerchChief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille has reimagined the iconic design in both figurative and abstract creations.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
JFC Kicks Off Halloween Costume ChallengeFive dollars buys one vote toward an industry professional you want to see dressed up as a hero, or a villain, this Halloween.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
Hillsborough Antique Show Gets New OwnerRecently acquired by KIL Promotions, the November edition of the public show in San Mateo, California, will be held Nov. 7-9.
GradingOct 21, 2025
GIA Examines Rare Bicolor Pink DiamondThe stone’s two zones, one pink and one colorless, may have formed at two different times, the lab said.
