The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
Historic 6-Carat ‘Farnese Blue’ Diamond Sells for $6.7M
The pear-shaped fancy dark gray-blue diamond was passed down through generations of European royals.

Geneva--A diamond passed down through generations of European royals now belongs to one anonymous buyer who paid $6.7 million for it.
The 6.16-carat “Farnese Blue” diamond was known only to the families who possessed it for centuries until it popped up at auction, a highlight of Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale held Tuesday in Geneva.
The stone went for well above its pre-sale estimate of $3.7 million to $5.3 million
The pear shaped fancy dark gray-blue diamond was found in the Golconda mines of India, which also produced the famous Hope and Wittelsbach-Graff diamonds.
The stone was given to Elisabeth Farnese, Queen of Spain (1692-1766) and descendant of Pope Paul III, following her wedding to King Philip V of Spain, grandson of Louis XIV, King of France.
Because the wedding was held in 1714, after the War of the Spanish Succession had depleted the country’s finances, the Spanish government demanded its colonies send wedding presents to Madrid.
In August 1715, the so-called Golden Fleet sailed from Cuba: 12 ships carrying gold bullion and emeralds. After only 10 days of sailing, a hurricane in the Florida gulf destroyed all but one ship.
The emeralds were thought to be lost, but one diamond made its way to Spain—a pear-shaped blue diamond, gifted to the new Spanish queen by the governor of the Philippine Islands.
For the next 300 hundred years, as Elisabeth and Philip of Spain’s descendants married, the stone was passed down through four of the most important royal families in Spain, France, Italy and Austria.
In the early 1800s, one of the Farnese Blue’s owners had a tie-pin setting created for the diamond, and another mounted it on a diadem worn by his mother.
The Farnese Blue even has a written record of its journey, thanks to a detailed inventory of family jewelry compiled by Maria Anna von Habsburg (1882-1940), Archduchess of Austria.
Tuesday’s Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels auction totaled $85.7 million.
Though the Farnese Blue might’ve received the most attention, it actually wasn’t the sale’s top lot.
That honor went to the round brilliant 51.71-carat Type IIa, D color flawless diamond seen above, which sold for $9.3 million.
The No. 2 lot, finishing just ahead of the Farnese Blue, was an oval-shaped 50.39-carat Type IIa, D color flawless diamond.
Both diamonds were discovered in Botswana, according to Sotheby’s.
The Latest

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.


Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

The “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.

The event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.

Agents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.

The organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.

The “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.

Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

Signatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.

The winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.

The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.