TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
AuctionsOct 08, 2020
2 Top Lots Withdrawn, Jadeite Necklace Sells for $8M at Sotheby’s
The 118.88-carat Burmese sapphire touted ahead of the sale didn’t go up for auction in Hong Kong Wednesday.
This top color jadeite necklace was the highest-grossing lot at Sotheby’s jewelry auction in Hong Kong this week, selling for $8.1 million.
Hong Kong—Like almost everything else in 2020, the sale of two jewels expected to go for millions at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Hong Kong Wednesday didn’t go as planned.
Ahead of the sale, the auction house highlighted one special gemstone it predicted would be one of the top lots: a 118.88-carat unheated Burmese sapphire graded as “royal blue” in color by both the SSEF and Gübelin labs (pictured below).
The rare cushion-shaped stone, which is surrounded by pear-shaped diamonds weighing 16.06 total carats and set in a platinum pendant, was expected to sell for more than $5 million, a spokesperson confirmed to National Jeweler when news of its auction was announced.
But the lot was withdrawn ahead of the sale Wednesday, Sotheby’s confirmed. 
Also taken out of the sale was a 4.84-carat fancy vivid blue internally flawless pear-shaped diamond with two brilliant-cut diamond accents, estimated to sell for between $7.2 million and $8.5 million.
Though no official reason was given for the gemstones’ withdrawal, it came just two days after a “perfect” 102-carat diamond underwhelmed at the same auction house in the same city. The giant D flawless stone went for $15.7 million, far less than what similar stones have sold for in recent years.
The top lot of Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale ended up being a necklace comprised of 43 jadeite beads of a “highly translucent brilliant emerald green color” weighing approximately 630 total carats and featuring a clasp set with brilliant-cut and baguette diamonds.
It sold for $8.1 million at the jewelry auction.
This was followed by a ring featuring a 5.22-carat fancy intense blue diamond with single- and old European-cut shoulders. It sold for $4.5 million, topping its highest pre-sale estimate of $3.9 million.
The third highest grossing lot was a 6.41-carat unheated Burmese pigeon’s blood ruby and diamond ring (pictured below) designed and mounted by Hong Kong high jewelry house Forms, which sold for $2.8 million.
Coming at No. 4 was a 16.38-carat emerald-cut diamond set between tapered baguette diamonds and mounted in platinum. It sold for $2.5 million.
Among the lots that failed to find a buyer on Wednesday were a pair of earrings featuring pear-shaped and fancy intense blue diamonds expected to sell for as much as $4.6 million and a jadeite bracelet expected to fetch as much as $3.4 million.
The Magnificent Jewels auction was 77 percent sold by lot and
More on Auctions
The Latest
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Gesswein Hires Longtime Bench Jeweler, Educator Ann CahoonCahoon was appointed strategic account and educational program manager at Gesswein, which recently joined Continental Buying Group.
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Amanda Seyfried Stars In Tiffany & Co.’s Holiday CampaignTiffany & Co.’s latest ambassador makes her debut in its “Love Is a Gift” holiday campaign.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
EditorsOct 28, 2026
These Wicked Jewels Will Cast a Spell on YouFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow highlights bewitching jewels fit for a witch that go from day to unholy night.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 28, 2026
Man In Florida Who Swallowed Tiffany & Co. Earrings ConvictedJaythan Gilder was found guilty of robbery and grand theft after stealing and then ingesting nearly $800,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
SurveysOct 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Up in October as Gas Prices EaseConsumer confidence remains on the long-term downward trend that’s persisted over the past few years, said a Conference Board economist.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
MajorsOct 28, 2026
Stuller’s Holiday Campaign Lets the ‘Magic of the Moment’ ShineThe holiday campaign includes key jewelry trends, a curated holiday gift guide, and resources to help jewelers prepare for holiday shoppers.
SourcingOct 27, 2026
De Beers Celebrates the Holidays With New ‘Desert Diamonds’ CampaignThe “Icons” holiday campaign spotlights four classic diamond jewelry styles reimagined in “Desert Diamond” tones.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Solomon Brothers Acquires Mervis Diamond ImportersSolomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Gabriel & Co. Supports Charity Partner DKMS With Gala, New JewelsThe fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2026
JFC Announces 2027 ‘Facets’ HonoreesThe annual fundraising event is slated for June 6, 2027, at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.
CollectionsOct 26, 2026
Bliss Lau’s ‘Vantage’ Point Is the Hawaiian HorizonIn her “Vantage” collection, Lau explores heritage, identity, and inner strength through designs featuring blue-green Guatemalan jade.
MajorsOct 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Takes Consumers Behind the ScenesThe jeweler gave the public backstage tours of its flagship store and its design and innovation workshop as part of LVMH’s open house.
Events & AwardsOct 26, 2026
Support JFC’s ‘Monster Mash Challenge,’ If You DareVote for which jewelry professional should dress up as a monster to support Jewelers for Children’s annual Halloween fundraiser.
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
