AuctionsDec 06, 2022
Jewels from the Sunken ‘Ship of Gold’ Smash Auction EstimatesAuctionsDec 08, 2022
303-Carat ‘Golden Canary’ Diamond Fails to Sing at Auction
In addition, a 2.08-carat blue diamond did not find a buyer while a 3.24-carat blue from the same collection was pulled from the sale.
The 303.10-carat fancy deep brownish-yellow “Golden Canary” diamond sold for $12.4 million at Sotheby’s New York on Wednesday, compared to a pre-sale estimate of at least $15 million.
New York—The yellow diamond dubbed the “Golden Canary” fell short of expectations at Sotheby’s New York Magnificent Jewels sale Wednesday while two blue diamonds also did not dazzle.
The 303.10-carat fancy deep brownish-yellow diamond is one of the largest polished diamonds in the world, Sotheby’s said, and the largest flawless or internally flawless diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America.
Originally, the stone was cut into a shield-shaped 407.49-carat fancy deep brownish-yellow diamond and called the “Incomparable Diamond,” but was recut to improve its color and shape.
Offered without reserve, meaning with no minimum bid requirement, the auction house expected the stone to sell for at least $15 million.
The final hammer price, however, was only $12.4 million, including buyer’s premium.
All told, Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale totaled $50 million, with 81 percent of lots sold.
Many jewels failed to exceed expectations.
There were a few standouts, however, like the 5.27-carat emerald ring from the collection of Mrs. Frank Perdue that was salvaged from a Spanish shipwreck, sold to benefit humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
Estimated to earn between $50,000 and $70,000 it brought in a staggering $1.2 million.
Two blue diamonds from a collection of “exceptional” blues, though, again failed to find an audience at Magnificent Jewels.
“The De Beers Exceptional Blues Collection” comprises eight diamonds, two of which Sotheby’s has offered at auction so far.
Earlier this fall, Sotheby’s announced it would sell a collection of eight fancy blue diamonds valued at more than $70 million total at different auctions through 2022 and 2023.
Sourced from the Cullinan mine in South Africa, De Beers and Diacore jointly purchased the original five rough blue diamonds, with the latter cutting and polishing them into the collection of eight stones.
The first of “The De Beers Exceptional Blue Collection” failed to sell at Sotheby’s Geneva in November.
On offer at the New York Magnificent Jewels auction this week was a 3.24-carat cushion brilliant-cut internally flawless fancy vivid blue diamond (estimated at $5 million-$8 million) and a 2.08-carat cushion-cut fancy intense blue diamond ($1.2 million-$1.5 million).
One of these stones was pulled last minute, and the other failed to meet its reserve.
A Sotheby’s spokesperson explained, “The 3.24-carat from the De Beers Exceptional Blue Collection was withdrawn prior to the sale following discussions with the consignor and, unfortunately, the 2.08-carat from the same collection did not find a buyer in our salesroom today.
“In no part, however, does this detract from the rarity of the De Beers Exceptional Blue Collection, and we are very much looking forward to presenting the five remaining exquisite gems in the New Year.”
Sotheby’s less-than-stellar sale caps off an interesting auction season full of highs and lows.
At Sotheby’s Hong Kong this fall the 11.15-carat internally flawless fancy vivid pink “Williamson Pink Star” diamond sold for $57.7 million, becoming the second most expensive gem or jewel ever sold at auction.
Christie’s was poised to have its own pink diamond auction moment with the sale of a 13.15-carat VVS1 clarity, potentially Internally Flawless fancy vivid pink diamond at its Magnificent Jewels sale this week, with the stone estimated to earn between $25 million and $35 million.
More on Auctions
The Latest
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
GradingNov 12, 2025
It’s Time: GIA’s Express Holiday Service Is Back GIA is offering next-day services for natural, colorless diamonds submitted to its labs in New York and Carlsbad.
MajorsNov 10, 2025
Jewelers Focus on Love, Joy In 2025 Holiday Campaigns Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Pandora have launched holiday campaigns depicting their jewelry as symbols of affection and happiness.
SurveysNov 10, 2025
5 Things Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearThe National Retail Federation is bullish on the holidays, forecasting retail sales to exceed $1 trillion this year.
AuctionsNov 10, 2025
300+ Colored Diamonds Up for Auction at Christie’sLate collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
