CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
AuctionsMay 30, 2017
‘Jonker No. 5’ Garners $5.3M at Christie’s
The 25.27-carat rectangular-cut diamond went for well above its highest pre-sale estimate, $3.6 million.
Though it was only predicted to sell for up to $3.6 million, the 25.27-carat Jonker No. 5 diamond went for $5.3 million at Christie’s on Tuesday.
Hong Kong--The legendary Jonker No. 5 diamond proved to be of great interest to buyers at Christie’s on Tuesday, as the historic stone sold for well above its pre-sale estimate.
The 25.27-carat rectangular-cut diamond went up on the block at the auction house’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Hong Kong, where it sold for $5.3 million. Christie’s predicted before the sale that it would garner between $2.2 million and $3.6 million.
The Type IIa, D color, VVS2 clarity Jonker No. 5 is part of the legendary collection of diamonds cut from the 726-carat piece of rough discovered by Jacob Jonker in South Africa in 1934. The 726-carat stone was, at the time, the fourth largest gem-quality diamond ever found.
The Diamond Corporation, owned by Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, originally bought the rough, which was then sold to Harry Winston Inc. in 1935 and displayed during the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary in London, as well as at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
Harry Winston chose Lazare Kaplan to cleave and cut the Jonker. The company examined it for months before the diamond took the final form of 13 polished pieces ranging in weight from 3.53 carats to 142.90 carats, though the largest stone was eventually cut down to 125.35 carats to increase its brilliance.
Also sold at Tuesday’s auction was the “Palmette” necklace, created by renowned designer Edmond Chin for the House of Boghossian.
Featuring 11 perfectly matched, no-oil rectangular-cut emeralds, weighing approximately 3.00 carats to 12.34 carats and surrounded by circular-cut emeralds to create a repeating palmette motif with white diamonds of various cuts as spacers, the piece garnered $6 million at the sale.
Other top lots included a 3.98-carat rectangular fancy-cut vivid blue diamond set in a cushion and triangular-shaped pink diamond surround from Moussaieff that went for $8.9 million; a double-strand jadeite and diamond necklace that sold for $7.1 million; and a bracelet featuring cushion-shaped sapphires ranging from 3.19 to 9.47 carats alternating with diamonds weighing 4.67 to 2.01 carats that garnered $4.7 million.
A pair of earrings set with oval-shaped fancy purplish pink diamonds weighing 4.64 carats and 4.01 carats and accented with pear and marquise cut diamonds sold for $3.4 million, while a pair of asymmetric Kashmir sapphire and diamond earrings went for $3.1 million.
Christie’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels sale totaled about $79.4 million.
More on Auctions
The Latest
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerThe author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.
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.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
Weekly QuizMay 28, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
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.
GradingMay 28, 2026
GCAL By Sarine Launches 8X Cushion CutThe lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
