SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in BotswanaThe yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
IndependentsJul 15, 2026
New Jersey Jeweler Barry Berman Dies at 81The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.
FinancialsJul 15, 2026
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Jump 18%, Declines to Comment on Sale Report The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”
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.
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
Weekly QuizJul 09, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 15, 2026
Pomellato’s New High Jewelry Is LiberatingBold color, expressive gem-setting, and sculptural form define the three chapters that make up “Stile Libero.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
