CollectionsJun 12, 2026
Chouette Designs To Launch Collection Celebrating All Types of LoveOur Pride Month Piece of the Week, the “Margaux” ring, is part of the wife-and-wife team’s new “Lovestoned” collection.
AuctionsMar 14, 2016
10-Carat Blue Diamond to Fetch $35M
The fancy vivid “De Beers Millennium Jewel 4,” once part of a group of diamonds De Beers gathered to mark the millennium, will be up for auction at Sotheby’s Hong Kong.
Blue diamonds, like the De Beers Millennium Jewel 4 that Sotheby’s will put up for auction next month, owe their color to boron impurities.
Hong Kong--The largest oval-shaped fancy vivid blue diamond ever to appear at auction is expected to fetch $35 million this April at Sotheby’s.
The “De Beers Millennium Jewel 4” is a 10.10-carat oval-shaped internally flawless fancy vivid blue diamond that originally was part of the De Beers Millennium Jewels, the collection the company unveiled in 2000 to commemorate the occasion.
The collection was comprised of 12 rare and valuable diamonds from the Cullinan Mine in South Africa that took decades to assemble and included the 203.04-carat “Millennium Star.” Nine out of the 11 blue diamonds in the collection were graded by the Gemological Institute of America as being fancy vivid.
To date, only one diamond out of the dozen has ever come onto the open market, Sotheby’s said. The auction house sold the “De Beers Millennium Jewel 11,” a 5.16-carat internally flawless pear-shaped fancy vivid blue diamond, in April 2010 in Hong Kong.
Now part of an Asian private collection, the fancy vivid blue De Beers Millennium Jewel 4 will be the second stone from the collection to hit the market when it goes up on the auction block April 5 in Hong Kong at Sotheby’s sale of Magnificent Jewels & Jadeite.
“There have been fewer and fewer new rough diamonds discovered over the last decade that produce this color,” said Tom Moses, executive vice president and chief research and laboratory officer at the GIA. “Most of the recent diamonds offered for sale in this category are coming from private collections, not diamond mines.”
The diamond has a pre-sale estimate of $30 to $35 million. The current world record for a diamond sold at auction is $48.5 million and is held by the Blue Moon of Josephine, a 12.03-carat cushion-shaped internally flawless fancy vivid blue diamond sold at Sotheby’s Geneva last November.
This 4.08-carat fancy vivid orange diamond ring has a pre-sale high estimate of $1.8 million.
Also part of Sotheby’s April 5 sale in Hong Kong is an “exceptional” jadeite ring, which is expected to sell for up to $4.5 million.
An unheated Burmese ruby and diamond bracelet made by Cartier Paris circa 1920 could fetch between $480,000 and $680,000.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2026
CBG Announces Plans for Phoenix ShowThe group has named the keynote speaker and announced a new pavilion for its next event, which is slated for September.
EditorsJun 11, 2026
This Was the Best Animal Jewelry in Las Vegas From lions and hippos to snails and fish, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow wrangles her picks for cutest jewelry critters in Las Vegas.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Grandview Klein, London Jewelers Partner To Cut 63-Carat RoughThe big stone will be fashioned into a 20.26-carat diamond in celebration of the retailer’s 100th anniversary this year.
Weekly QuizJun 11, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 11, 2026
Former Cartier Creative Director To Head Chanel’s Jewelry Creation StudioMarie-Laure Cérède will join Chanel as the new director of its jewelry creation studio, starting in October.
Lab-GrownJun 11, 2026
Smiling Rocks’ ‘Wish Jar’ Generates 100+ Wishes in Las Vegas At the JCK show, the lab-grown diamond brand teamed up with Jewelers for Children to support Make-A-Wish India.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Exec Joins Diamonds Do Good BoardIlana McCabe is Signet’s vice president of public relations and brand communications.
MajorsJun 10, 2026
Saks Global Receives Bankruptcy Court Approval for ReorganizationThe approval means the retailer is on track to exit bankruptcy proceedings this summer.
CrimeJun 10, 2026
2 Suspects Arrested in Texas Jewelry Store RobberyThe men are believed to be part of the group of several masked suspects that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers in April.
CollectionsJun 10, 2026
Sylvie Debuts ‘Elevated’ Bridal Collection Inspired By Designer’s RingThe bridal-focused brand is also launching its Custom Atelier this summer, a digital custom design tool for its authorized retailers.
EditorsJun 09, 2026
Q&A: Al Cook on the Lab-Grown ‘Bubble,’ Dwindling Diamond Supply The De Beers Group CEO also discussed tariffs, Desert Diamonds, and the pending sale of De Beers in an interview with Michelle Graff.
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Wilkerson's Russ Whitehouse RetiresThe industry veteran is bringing his 56-year run in the fine jewelry sector to an end.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2026
Pride Month Panel to Highlight LGBTQ+ Jewelry VoicesThe panel discussion will feature LGBTQ+ leaders across the jewelry, luxury, and creative industries.
CollectionsJun 09, 2026
Marie Lichtenberg’s New Capsule Collection Is a Smash, LiterallyInspired by a locket that got run over, the “Smash” capsule collection reimagines the shape of Lichtenberg’s signature style.
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names Director of Sales for SoutheastThe company has promoted Katherine Whitacre to the role.
MajorsJun 08, 2026
Stuller Expands Selection of Lab-Grown Diamonds, Demi-Fine JewelryThe jewelry manufacturer has added Taylor Swift-esque diamond shapes, and more silver, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewelry.
SourcingJun 08, 2026
Sally Morrison to Depart De Beers This Summer Morrison has been marketing diamonds on and off since the early 2000s and said she is leaving to “pursue new projects.”
TrendsJun 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: June’s Birthstone TrioThose born in June can celebrate with pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone jewelry.
TechnologyJun 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings Launches Ring Builder PlatformThe platform allows retailers to guide clients through a customizable engagement ring buying experience in a branded interface.
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
SourcingJun 05, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
