EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
AuctionsNov 16, 2017
Raj Pink, Donnersmarck Diamonds Fail to Sell at Auction
They were two of the top lots at Sotheby’s jewelry sale held Wednesday in Geneva.
The 37.30-carat “Raj Pink” diamond, described as “a very bright and ravishing fancy intense pink color” by the Gemological Institute of America, didn’t sell at auction Wednesday.
Geneva--A pink diamond said to be the largest fancy intense pink diamond in the world was one of a few lots that failed to sell at Sotheby’s Wednesday.
At the Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale in Geneva, neither the “Raj Pink” nor the historic “Donnersmarck Diamonds” sold.
The 37.30-carat Raj Pink was the highlight of the sale, estimated to garner between $20 million and $30 million.
According to Reuters, bidding opened at $10.02 million and rose to about $14.1 million before the auction stalled.
The diamond’s current owner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, gave the stone its name, which is based on the Sanksrit word for “king.”
The rough that yielded the Raj Pink was studied for more than a year after its discovery in 2015, the auction house said, before a master cutter turned it into a cushion-modified brilliant cut.
The Gemological Institute of America has examined the diamond, saying it is an “astonishing stone” with a hue that is a “very bright and ravishing fancy intense pink color.”
Meanwhile, the Donnersmarck Diamonds (pictured below), a 102.54-carat cushion-shaped stone and an 82.47-carat pear, were offered as a single lot. The pair was expected to sell for between $9 million and $14 million, but only reached a bid high of $7.9 million, Reuters said.
The diamonds’ interesting provenance was one of their main selling points.
Countess Henckel von Donnersmarck, or “La Païva” as she eventually became known, was, arguably, the most famous and successful of the 19th century French courtesans, rising to become European aristocracy.
Running away to Paris at the age of 18, she fell in with the right cultural and artistic circles, marrying Marquis Albino Francisco de Araújo de Païva, an heir to two important Macao wholesale fortunes, in 1851.
The two were married for only a day but it gave her the nickname she’d have the rest of her life.
She then met her next husband, Count Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck, one of Europe’s richest men. The two married in 1871, and it is believed that it was during this time that she acquired what came to be known as the Donnersmarck Diamonds.
After she died in 1884, the stones stayed in the count’s family for more than a century until they appeared at auction in 2007. At that time, they garnered $8 million between them.
Sotheby’s did not offer a comment about the lots not
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
selling when reached by National Jeweler. And according to its website, there were a number of other pieces that went unsold.
The Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale totaled $78.9 million.
Its top lot turned out to be a 33.63-carat step-cut fancy light pink diamond set in a Harry Winston ring, which garnered $12.8 million.
The next highest-selling lot jumped down to $5 million for a 18.86-carat ruby ring; $4.1 million for a necklace set with a cushion-shaped fancy intense yellow diamond weighing 102.50 carats, set in a frame of brilliant-cut diamonds with a “fringe” made of pear-shaped diamonds, brilliant-cut diamonds and diamonds of yellow tint; and a $2.6 million 22.76-carat step-cut diamond ring.
Full results can be found on Sothebys.com.
The Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale totaled $78.9 million.
Its top lot turned out to be a 33.63-carat step-cut fancy light pink diamond set in a Harry Winston ring, which garnered $12.8 million.
The next highest-selling lot jumped down to $5 million for a 18.86-carat ruby ring; $4.1 million for a necklace set with a cushion-shaped fancy intense yellow diamond weighing 102.50 carats, set in a frame of brilliant-cut diamonds with a “fringe” made of pear-shaped diamonds, brilliant-cut diamonds and diamonds of yellow tint; and a $2.6 million 22.76-carat step-cut diamond ring.
Full results can be found on Sothebys.com.
More on Auctions
The Latest
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
