IndependentsJul 14, 2026
Foundrae Opens First Standalone Store Outside USThe New York-based jewelry brand has expanded overseas, opening a store in London’s Mayfair district.
AuctionsSep 19, 2018
5-Carat ‘Ai’ Blue Diamond to Sell for $12-15M
The rare stone is the highlight of Sotheby’s Oct. 3 jewelry auction in Hong Kong.
The 5-carat “Ai” fancy vivid blue diamond is the highlight of Sotheby’s Oct. 3 jewelry auction in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong—A 5-carat fancy vivid blue diamond ring will be the highlight of Sotheby’s upcoming jewelry auction in Hong Kong.
Named the “Ai” diamond after the Chinese word for love, the stone is expected to sell for between $12.5 and $15.3 million when it hits the block next month.
It is the leading lot in Sotheby’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite jewelry sale, slated for Oct. 3 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
In addition to the Ai diamond, the jewelry auction will feature a pair of earrings with old European brilliant-cut fancy vivid yellow diamonds weighing 51.17 carats total—“well-matched” in color, ton and saturation, Sotheby’s said—accented with white diamonds. They are designed to depict a fruitful harvest of melons flowering from their vines.
The earrings, pictured below, could sell for between $4.8 and $6.1 million. 
There also will be a number of important jade pieces, including a necklace composed of 51 jadeite beads of a brilliant emerald green color and with “very good” translucency, with a diamond clasp signed Chaumet. Pictured below, its pre-sale estimate is available upon request by Sotheby’s. 
The jewelry auction also will include two fine jadeite bangles displaying hues of both lavender and green that blend seamlessly. Possessing strong saturation and fine translucency, the pair will be sold separately, with estimates of $665,000-$895,000 (left bangle) and $640,000-$895,000 (right bangle).
The jewelry auction also will have a section featuring works created by celebrated Asian contemporary designer Wallace Chan. This includes the tanzanite, chalcedony and diamond ring seen below, which could sell for as much as $230,000, as well as the earrings pictured below featuring conch pearl, gems and diamonds, which could sell for between $281,000 and $408,000.
The gallery also shows a pair of gem-set earrings from Chan, also featuring jade and diamonds, which are expected to garner between $70,500 and $109,000.
Chan was the first Asian jeweler to exhibit at the Biennale in Paris in 2012, and today can be seen at such major fairs as The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF) and Masterpiece in London. His pieces are sought by collectors from around the world.
Rounding out the jewelry auction will be a selection of red carpet necklaces by jewelers such as Van Cleef & Arpels and David Morris, as well as a vintage Bulgari suite, and a curated selection of jewels primarily from the 1950s
and 1960s from a “distinguished” private collection.
More on Auctions
The Latest
ColumnistsJul 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: What Today’s Jewelry Consumer Is Telling Us Rising revenue does not automatically mean a healthy business, particularly in the current economic landscape, Smith writes.
TrendsJul 14, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Shoulder Dusters These long, fluid drop earrings are sure to catch the eye.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
CrimeJul 14, 2026
Man Charged in $1M Jewelry Store Heist Lands on FBI Most Wanted ListAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged with robbing a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and is the only one still at large.
Weekly QuizJul 09, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJul 14, 2026
Conference on Mining, Sustainability Kicks Off in NYCInitiatives in Art and Culture is hosting its 16th annual Gold and Diamond Conference, with the theme of “Resilience.”
Lab-GrownJul 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Changes Her Mind on Lab-Grown DiamondsThe designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
SourcingJul 13, 2026
De Beers Announces Potential Layoffs, 2-Year Production Pause at VenetiaThe diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
Registration Opens for JIS Fall 2026 ShowThe annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026AGTA also has announced the lineup of judges for the colored gemstone cutting and jewelry design contest’s various categories.
TechnologyJul 10, 2026
There’s a New Blind Box for Luxury Watches Collectibles platform Arena Club’s new Time Boxes could contain a Rolex or Patek Philippe watch.
TrendsJul 10, 2026
Jade Trau Creates a Constellation of DiamondsThe “Constellation Plié” collar, our Piece of the Week, features diamonds arranged in a constellation of shining stars.
SourcingJul 10, 2026
CFO of De Beers’ Consumer-Facing Division Leaves Company Shaun Wills joined the company in 2024 and was chief financial officer of the De Beers Brands and Consumer Markets division.
WatchesJul 10, 2026
Brilliant Earth Expands Into WatchesIn honor of its 20th anniversary, the jewelry brand has released a limited-edition collection of Swiss-made timepieces.
CollectionsJul 09, 2026
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Collection Is an Ode to the Human Touch“Human Being” highlights the similarities and differences between us through five sets of jewelry that celebrate fine craftsmanship.
WatchesJul 09, 2026
Damiani Group Finalizes Acquisition of Baume & MercierRichemont will continue to provide operational services for the watch brand for a period while the group prepares to integrate it.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
Halstead Names 2026 Grant WinnerEnoch Platero, founder and designer behind Enoch Michael, is the first Native American jeweler to win the award.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
AGS, GIA Name 2026 Beatrice Shipley Scholarship WinnerAGS also announced the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Kendra Scott Joins ‘Shark Tank’ As Permanent Investor The founder of the billion-dollar jewelry and lifestyle brand will debut as a full-time “Shark” on the upcoming season of the show.
SurveysJul 08, 2026
Signet Jewelers Falls 5 Spots on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListPlus, why retailers should be ready to adjust as the U.S. population may decline this year for the first time since the Great Depression.
CrimeJul 08, 2026
Here’s What Thieves Stole From the Lalique Museum René Lalique’s “Woman Dragonfly With Open Wings” pendant, the first piece the museum acquired, was one of the jewels taken.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Richline Group Promotes 2 ExecsArien Gessner and Moss Makhoulian have been elevated into newly created roles.
ColumnistsJul 07, 2026
Peter Smith: Diamond Branding and the Origin ParadoxA podcast prompted Smith to share his views on where origin fits into the natural diamond story and the viability of branded diamonds.
Events & AwardsJul 07, 2026
JA Announces 2026 Impact Initiative RecipientsThe association selected eight recipients for the funding program, which is in its second year.
TrendsJul 07, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ruby, White and Blue Whether celebrating America’s 250th birthday or the USA’s World Cup run, July birthstone jewelry can double as a patriotic accessory.
CrimeJul 07, 2026
Thieves Steal Millions in Jewels From France’s Musée LaliqueAround 20 pieces of jewelry were stolen from the museum dedicated to French jeweler and glassmaker René Lalique.
