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.
More on Auctions
The Latest
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
ColumnistsFeb 19, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
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.
Events & AwardsFeb 19, 2026
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Returns in MarchThe show will be held March 26-30 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsFeb 18, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
MajorsFeb 18, 2026
Select Jewelry Inks Agreement to Distribute Lightweight Gold JewelryIt will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.
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.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
Events & AwardsFeb 18, 2026
DCA to Host Gemstone Selling Education Session at IJO EventThe nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
SourcingFeb 17, 2026
Colored Gemstone Experts Talk Tariffs, Trends in TucsonAlthough the market is robust, tariffs and precious metal prices are impacting the industry, Stuart Robertson and Brecken Branstrator said.
GradingFeb 17, 2026
Dr. George Rossman, Former GIA Governor, Dies at 81Rossman, who advised GIA for more than 50 years, is remembered for his passion and dedication to the field of gemology.
CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2026
British Museum Raises $5M to Keep Jewel Linked to Henry VIII, Katherine of AragonIt is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.
SourcingFeb 12, 2026
‘Cotton Candy’ Necklace, 35-Carat Kunzite Win 2025 ‘Buyer’s Choice’ AwardsThe AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge “Buyer’s Choice” award winners were announced at the Spectrum Awards Gala last week.
Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardThe “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
Events & AwardsFeb 11, 2026
TJS Announces Roundtable, Launches New AppRegistration is now open for The Jewelry Symposium, set to take place in Detroit from May 16-19.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
At Meeting in South Africa, Support for Natural Diamonds Picks Up Steam Namibia has formally signed the Luanda Accord, while two key industry organizations pledged to join the Natural Diamond Council.
