FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
AuctionsJul 28, 2016
The Top 10 Jewelry Auction Sales So Far in 2016
Fancy blue diamonds dominated the spring auction season, led by the 14.62-carat Oppenheimer Blue.
Topping the 2016 jewelry auction circuit so far is the 14.62-carat Oppenheimer Blue, the most expensive jewel ever sold at auction at $57.5 million.
New York--So far, 2016 has been one for the record books when it comes to the auction world.
This spring auction season achieved more than $800 million in sales between the months of March and July, according to a recent article from the Gemological Institute of America. Christie’s and Sotheby’s, the two largest auction houses for high-end gem and jewelry sales, broke last year’s half-year record by more than $140 million.
Fancy colored diamonds and colored gems continued to set records across the world as they hit the auction block, with one blue diamond, the “Oppenheimer Blue” becoming the most expensive jewel ever sold at auction in May.
And that hasn’t been the only notable blue stone to go up for auction this year. In fact, in the top 10 lots alone in the first half of 2016, five were fancy blue diamonds.
There also was a 15.38-carat pear-shaped fancy vivid pink diamond that sold for more than $31 million, as well as the “Aurora Green,” which set the world auction record for a green diamond. Rounding out the top 10 were two ruby pieces and a pair of earrings featuring two fancy vivid orange-yellow oval diamonds.
Had Lesedi la Rona sold at auction, it would’ve topped the list--the 1,109-carat rough diamond was estimated at $70 million, but bidding at the June 29 auction held by Sotheby’s London didn’t reach the reserve price.
Here’s what the jewelry auction world has been up to so far in 2016, with the top 10 lots in descending order.
1. The rectangular-cut 14.62-carat Oppenheimer Blue, the largest and finest fancy vivid blue diamond ever sold at auction, also became the most expensive jewel ever sold at auction when it garnered $57.5 million at Christie’s Geneva in May.
2. The10.10-carat De Beers Millennium Jewel 4, one of the dozen rare diamonds De Beers assembled to mark the year 2000, sold for $31.8 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in April.
3. The 15.38-carat Unique Pink, a fancy vivid pink pear-shaped diamond, sold for $31.6 million, or about $2.1 million per carat, at Sotheby’s Geneva in May. The largest and most expensive fancy vivid pink pear-shaped diamond ever offered at auction went to an unnamed buyer from Asia.
4. The 24.18-carat fancy intense blue diamond dubbed the Cullinan Dream sold for $25.4 million at Christie’s New York last month. Flanked by baguette-cut diamonds totaling 2.36 carats, the stone now is the largest, most expensive fancy intense blue diamond offered at auction, according to Christie’s.
5. This 7.32-carat, internally flawless pear-shaped fancy vivid blue diamond ring went for $17.1 million at Sotheby’s Geneva in May.
6. The Aurora Green, a 5.03-carat fancy vivid green diamond, garnered $16.8 million when it hit the auction block at Christie’s Hong Kong in May, becoming the most expensive green diamond ever sold at auction. Hong Kong-based manufacturer and retailer Chow Tai Fook Jewellery purchased the stone.
7. The oval-shaped 15.99-carat Jubilee Ruby, set in an 18-karat gold and platinum Verdura ring, sold for $14.2 million at Christie’s New York in April, making it the most expensive colored gemstone ever sold at auction in the United States.
8. This brooch from Alexandre Reza features a marquise-shaped fancy intense blue diamond weighing 6.64 carats, two pear-shaped fancy intense blue diamonds weighing 2.01 and 1.01 carats and similarly shaped white diamond accents. It sold for $13.7 million at Sotheby’s Geneva in May.
9. This pair of ruby and diamond ear pendants, weighing 10.02 carats and 9.09 carats, set a world auction record for a pair of ruby earrings when they went for $11.6 million at Christie’s Hong Kong in May.
10. This pair of earrings, dubbed The Oriental Sunrise, garnered $11.5 million at Christie’s Geneva in May. Each earring features a fancy vivid orange-yellow oval-cut diamond, weighing approximately 12.20 and 11.96 carats, a marquise-cut diamond link and an oval-cut diamond surmount.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
Weekly QuizAug 29, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry BuyerFormer Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis StudentsThe jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond CutsThe singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income WorriesPlans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil CampaignThe Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-GiftingIn his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a WrapWrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry EmpireThree C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 StoresThe retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.
