International News
53-Carat Yellow Diamond to Headline Phillips Geneva Auction, Expected to Fetch $3.5 Million
A stunning fancy-vivid-yellow diamond pendant will lead the May 12 auction, part of a prestigious collection celebrating 100 years of Art Deco design.
A remarkable 53.14-carat yellow diamond, set in a pendant and expected to reach up to CHF 3.1 million ($3.5 million), will be the star attraction at Phillips’ upcoming Geneva Jewels Auction IV on May 12. The internally flawless, fancy-vivid-yellow diamond, suspended from a round brilliant diamond, will lead the auction’s offerings, which will mark the 100th anniversary of Art Deco with a curated selection of rare and valuable pieces.
Alongside this extraordinary yellow diamond, the auction will feature items from prestigious design houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Bulgari, Graff, and Buccellati, as well as pieces from renowned collections. Phillips will preview select items in cities including Hong Kong, New York, Singapore, and London.
Benoit Repellin, worldwide head of jewelry for Phillips, expressed excitement about the auction, highlighting the superb collection of colored gemstones and Art Deco masterpieces. Other standout items in the sale include a pair of D-Flawless diamond earrings, a Van Cleef & Arpels ring featuring a 7.10-carat Kashmir sapphire, and a heart-shaped fancy-vivid-orangey-pink diamond ring, among others.
The auction will also offer a range of rare gemstones, including a 122.77-carat Paraiba tourmaline, Burmese rubies, and a Serpenti wristwatch by Bulgari, all of which are expected to attract strong interest from collectors.
As 2026 begins, the precious metals market remains volatile following 2025’s historic rally, with gold up around 65% to levels exceeding $4,300–$4,400 per ounce and silver surging 140–170% amid record highs. Driven by safe-haven demand, central bank purchases, geopolitical risks, and industrial shortages (especially for silver in solar, EVs, and electronics), recent profit-taking caused corrections, yet fundamentals support resilience with expected Fed rate cuts and ongoing tensions.
Gold’s Technical Outlook and Drivers
COMEX gold trades near $4,330–$4,360, consolidating after peaks above $4,500. Short-term support holds at $4,300–$4,275, with potential upside to $4,600–$5,000 if resistance breaks. Central banks (e.g., from India and China) sustained buying as a USD/inflation hedge, while lower yields and risks from Middle East conflicts and US policies fuel flows. Analysts like those at State Street and J.P. Morgan see $5,000 feasible in 2026. In India, where gold imports impact the current account deficit, this offers hedging opportunities despite rupee pressures.
Silver’s Trajectory and Industrial Demand
Silver has rebounded to around $71–$73 per ounce after dipping from highs near $83–$86, maintaining an ascending channel with support at $68–$70 and targets of $75–$80+. Its dual role—investment and industrial (50–60% of demand)—amplifies volatility but boosts growth, with deficits exceeding 200 million ounces due to lagging mine supply and booming green tech needs. India’s jewellery and silverware sectors (15% of global consumption) benefit, competing with lab-grown diamonds and aligning via MCX.
Implications for Investors and Policymakers
Precious metals act as portfolio hedges, with gold’s negative equity correlation (~−0.4 long-term) providing stability and silver offering higher-beta returns. Strategies include dollar-cost averaging on dips and monitoring FOMC signals. For India’s jewellery industry, trends demand enhanced e-gold platforms, origin certification, and analytics for pricing. Policymakers could ease import burdens via domestic refining incentives, similar to PLI schemes.
Early 2026 volatility conceals strong bullish fundamentals, with gold targeting $4,600+ and potentially $5,000, and silver eyeing $75–$80+. Geopolitical and macro tailwinds persist, positioning metals favorably—especially in hubs like Mumbai tracking.
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