Photo: dbking · source · CC BY 2.0 · display cropTHE EXTRAORDINARY, EXPLAINED
Some things
are simply
most wanted.
Enter the world of exceptional diamonds.
Legendary jewels, unforgettable auction sales
and the enduring art of choosing beautifully.
AN INDEPENDENT LUXURY JOURNAL
THE BEAUTY OF ANOTHER ERAVintage diamond ring · circa 1920Photo: CatherineLewis1976 · source · CC BY-SA 4.0 · display crop
RARE BY NATURE◇TIMELESS BY DESIGN◇EXTRAORDINARY BY HISTORY◇MOST WANTED DIAMONDS
01 / THE LEGENDS
Jewels that became icons.
Not every extraordinary diamond has a price tag. Meet three remarkable stones whose stories reach far beyond the display case.
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Photo: Shipguy · source · CC BY-SA 3.0 · display crop
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02 / THE AUCTION ARCHIVE
When desire made history.
Five remarkable completed sales. Preserved with their dates and sources—not presented as today’s prices or a current ranking.
SOTHEBY’S · HONG KONG · 4 APRIL 2017
The CTF Pink Star
59.60 carats. Fancy Vivid Pink.
A landmark evening in diamond history.
$71.2million USDReported historical sale total
| Diamond | Color | Weight | Reported USD | Sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01CTF Pink Star ↗ | Pink | 59.60 ct | $71.2M | 4 Apr 2017Sotheby’s · Hong Kong |
| 02Williamson Pink Star ↗ | Pink | 11.15 ct | $57.7M | 7 Oct 2022Sotheby’s · Hong Kong |
| 03Oppenheimer Blue ↗ | Blue | — ct | $57.5M | 18 May 2016Christie’s · Geneva |
| 04Blue Moon of Josephine ↗ | Blue | 12.03 ct | $48.5M | Nov 2015Sotheby’s · Geneva |
| 05The Orange ↗ | Orange | 14.82 ct | $35.5M | 12 Nov 2013Christie’s · Geneva |
Rounded US-dollar amounts reported by the auction houses. These are published sale totals, not a uniform hammer-price series. Original-currency totals and source links appear in individual stories. “—” means the weight is not supplied in our cited sale release. No auction-lot photograph is implied by the editorial imagery elsewhere on this site.
A collector’s guide to reading auction results ↗
Photo: Petragems · source · CC BY-SA 4.0 · display crop
03 / THE ART OF UNDERSTANDING
Beauty is visible.
Quality deserves
a closer look.
The best purchase begins with understanding. Learn the language of diamonds, then look beyond the report to the jewel you will actually wear.
Explore the four Cs ↗01 Cut02 Color03 Clarity04 Carat
04 / THE EVERGREEN JOURNAL
A little knowledge.
A lifetime of appreciation.
Considered guides for choosing, collecting and caring. Written to remain useful beyond the latest trend.
DIAMOND EDUCATION
Beyond the sparkle: the four Cs
A clear starting point for a considered purchase.
Read the guide ↗DESIGN & STYLE
Find your signature shape
The silhouette sets the mood.
Read the guide ↗
DIAMOND EDUCATION
Natural & laboratory-grown
Understand the origin. Choose with intention.
Read the guide ↗DESIGN & STYLE
A setting for a lifetime
Beautiful design begins with how you live.
Read the guide ↗COLLECTOR’S NOTEBOOK
How to read an auction result
The number is only the beginning.
Read the guide ↗OWNERSHIP
Keep the brilliance
Good habits are a quiet form of luxury.
Read the guide ↗THE COLLECTOR’S EDIT
A collection with a point of view
Collect for meaning. Let the story grow.
Read the guide ↗HERITAGE & PROVENANCE
The story behind the jewel
A beautiful history deserves good evidence.
Read the guide ↗BESPOKE & DESIGN
A ring imagined just for you
From a first sketch to a lasting object.
Read the guide ↗ESTATE & ANTIQUE
The appeal of a previous chapter
Character, craftsmanship and considered questions.
Read the guide ↗STYLE & OCCASION
A jewel for the moment
Choose the memory before the milestone.
Read the guide ↗THE COLLECTOR’S NOTEBOOK
The art of a private viewing
Slow down. Look closely. Ask better questions.
Read the guide ↗Guide images are illustrative photographs of real jewelry and diamonds. See full photography credits and licenses.
Photo: Gemsparkdiamonds · source · CC BY-SA 4.0 · display crop
THE MOST WANTED PHILOSOPHY
Choose with intention.
Admire without limits.
We believe the pleasure of fine jewelry begins with curiosity. Our journal brings together exceptional stones and practical knowledge, without turning every beautiful object into an investment promise.
Our editorial approach ↗05 / THE CONNOISSEUR’S EDIT
Luxury is in
the details.
Beyond a remarkable stone lies a world of personal taste, considered craftsmanship and stories worth preserving.
A sense of provenance
The finest stories are supported by records. Learn to distinguish a documented history from a beautiful anecdote.
Explore the story behind the jewel ↗A design of your own
A bespoke commission begins with your vision and becomes stronger through clear choices, good questions and careful collaboration.
Discover the bespoke journey ↗A collection with meaning
Let your collection reflect how you live, what you admire and the moments you want to remember.
Build a personal collection ↗06 / A FEW CONSIDERED QUESTIONS
Curiosity is
always in style.
Explore the essentials before choosing your next jewel.
Are the diamonds featured here for sale?
This is an independent editorial publication. The auction archive describes completed historical sales; museum and brand treasures are shown for their stories. We do not offer these featured objects for purchase.
Does a famous auction price tell me what my diamond is worth?
No. A sale records one object, one date and one transaction. Other stones require their own assessment. Read our guide to auction results for the distinctions.
Where should I begin when choosing a ring?
Start with taste, lifestyle and a comfortable budget. Explore diamond shapes, then consider the setting and the documentation of the actual stone.
What makes a jewelry collection personal?
The relationships between the pieces: your preferred silhouettes, memories, occasions and craftsmanship. Our collection guide offers a considered starting point.
Can my company partner with the publication?
Yes. We welcome serious commercial and acquisition inquiries. Visit Partnerships & Acquisition to explore the opportunities and prepare an email.