AuctionsMay 26, 2021
The 15-Carat ‘Sakura’ Purple-Pink Diamond Sells for $29MAuctionsJun 23, 2021
Sotheby’s Will Take Cryptocurrency for This 101-Carat Diamond
It will accept payment with Ether or Bitcoin for a D-color, flawless, pear-shaped diamond hitting the block next month.
Sotheby’s is bringing cryptocurrency into the luxury jewelry auction world next month with the announcement it will accept Ether or Bitcoin as payment for this 101.38-carat pear-shaped diamond.
New York—A flawless, D-color diamond weighing more than 100 carats would be enough to raise eyebrows on its own, but Sotheby’s is upping the ante by adding cryptocurrency to the mix.
The auction house has announced it will accept cryptocurrency as payment for the 101.38-carat pear-shaped diamond it will put up on the block next month.
Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that can be exchanged online for goods and services. It’s secured by cryptography, the practice of encrypting data to keep it safe, which makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit or double-spend, according to Investopedia.
While fiat will be accepted as payment, of course, those who would choose to pay through cryptocurrency to own the big diamond will be able to do so with either Ether or Bitcoin through the Coinbase Commerce exchange.
Sotheby’s estimates the 101.38-carat diamond could sell for between $10 million to $15 million, which is also significant because no other physical object with an estimated value approaching those numbers has been offered publicly for purchase using cryptocurrency, it claims.
Related stories will be right here …
The auction house has announced it will accept cryptocurrency as payment for the 101.38-carat pear-shaped diamond it will put up on the block next month.
Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that can be exchanged online for goods and services. It’s secured by cryptography, the practice of encrypting data to keep it safe, which makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit or double-spend, according to Investopedia.
While fiat will be accepted as payment, of course, those who would choose to pay through cryptocurrency to own the big diamond will be able to do so with either Ether or Bitcoin through the Coinbase Commerce exchange.
Sotheby’s estimates the 101.38-carat diamond could sell for between $10 million to $15 million, which is also significant because no other physical object with an estimated value approaching those numbers has been offered publicly for purchase using cryptocurrency, it claims.
The auction house has dubbed the diamond “The Key 10138,” saying in a release: “Historically, keys, like diamonds, have been a symbol of power and of the freedom that comes with it. Now, keys of a digital kind are critical to the functioning of cryptocurrency.”
A private key is a type of cryptography that allows a user to access their cryptocurrency and protects their funds from unauthorized access or theft.
The gem will be offered in a single-lot live sale at Sotheby’s Hong Kong on July 9, with online bidding beginning June 25.
The Key 10138 is currently available to view by appointment at Sotheby’s New York, and then will be on display at the auction house’s Hong Kong Gallery from July 3-8.
It will be the highlight of Sotheby’s inaugural “Luxury Edit” sale series in Asia, offering luxury goods across various categories.
“This is a truly symbolic moment,” said Wenhao Yu, deputy chairman of Sotheby’s Jewellery in Asia. “The most ancient and emblematic denominator of value can now, for the first time, be purchased using humanity’s newest universal currency. Never was there a better moment to bring a world-class diamond such as this to the market.”
Its sale comes at a time when demand for high-quality white diamonds is particularly strong.
This 50.03-carat round diamond sold for $2.7 million at Sotheby’s, setting a new record for a jewel sold in an online auction.
Last week, a new record was set for a jewel sold in an online auction when the 50.03-carat round diamond pictured above, offered without reserve, sold for $2.7 million at Sotheby’s.
The G color stone received 30 bids from 11 bidders in seven countries, falling within its estimate of between $2.5 million and $5 million.
There was also an Andrew Clunn necklace, set with 28 graduated oval-shaped diamonds totaling more than 168 carats, that went for above its $2-$3 million pre-sale estimate when it garnered $4 million at Sotheby’s earlier this month, beating out the fancy vivid yellow 73-carat “Sienna Star” for the title of top lot.
Just prior to that, Christie’s sold the pear-shaped, D-color, internally flawless 54.03-carat “Chrysler Diamond” for nearly $5.1 million—upstaging the 204.36-carat, VVS2 fancy intense yellow “Dancing Sun” diamond—and, in mid-May, the 100.94-carat, D-color, internally flawless Type IIa “Spectacle Diamond” sold for $14.1 million.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Swarovski Appoints New North America PresidentRetail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.
