DiamondBuzz

Cartier Earrings Lead as Sotheby’s Hong Kong Jewelry Sale Tops $19M

Rare Pink and White Diamond Pair Fetches $2.9M at High-Profile Auction

Published

2 years ago

April 28, 2025

Sotheby’s brought in over HKD 148.2 million ($19.1 million) at its April 25 High Jewelry auction in Hong Kong, with a standout pair of Cartier pink and white diamond earrings topping the sale. The earrings, set with a 6.32-carat fancy-intense-pink SI2-clarity diamond and a 6.03-carat D-color internally flawless diamond, achieved HKD 22.3 million ($2.9 million), despite missing their low estimate.

A total of 111 lots were sold at the event, which showcased exceptional pieces from luxury maisons such as Cartier, Graff, and Van Cleef & Arpels.

Among the highlights:

A ring set with a 61.47-carat, fancy-greenish-yellow, VS2-clarity diamond fetched HKD 10.9 million ($1.4 million), within expectations.
Another ring featuring a 45.15-carat, fancy-intense-yellow, VS1-clarity diamond sold for HKD 8.6 million ($1.1 million).
A cushion-shaped, 11.56-carat Kashmir sapphire ring accompanied by two old European-cut diamonds achieved HKD 6.4 million ($818,495).
An emerald-cut, 10.01-carat, D-color, internally flawless, type IIa diamond ring with a diamond-set band exceeded its estimate to bring in HKD 5.7 million ($736,646).
Earrings set with cushion-shaped, 5.46- and 4.57-carat Kashmir sapphires surrounded by old European-cut diamonds realized HKD 5.5 million ($703,906).
A Tiffany & Co. ring showcasing an 8.41-carat, D-color, internally flawless, type IIa diamond sold for HKD 4.3 million ($548,378).
A 15.03-carat, fancy-vivid-yellow, internally flawless diamond ring flanked by triangular diamonds garnered HKD 4.1 million ($523,823).
A Graff necklace featuring 38.45 carats of fancy-intense-yellow diamonds, complemented by additional diamonds in various shapes, sold for HKD 3.8 million ($491,107).
A JAR ring highlighted by a 17.70-carat, fancy-brown-orange, I2-clarity diamond surpassed expectations with a final price of HKD 3.3 million ($425,626).

The results underscore continued demand for colored diamonds and rare gemstones at the high end of the market.

Related Topics:2025 diamondbuzz internationalnews ourbuzz sothebys

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DiamondBuzz

South African Task Team To Help Struggling Diamond Producers

The South African Government Has Partnered With Mining Industry Leaders To Form A Joint Task Team Aimed At Saving Jobs and Supporting Diamond Producers Facing Severe Market Pressures.

Published

21 hours ago

October 30, 2026

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The quick intervention follows major disruptions in the local sector, including Petra Diamonds placing its Finsch mine under business rescue and De Beers announcing a two-year production pause at Venetia, the country’s largest diamond mine.

In a parliamentary reply on October 26, Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe confirmed that the team—which includes the Minerals Council South Africa and local diamond producers—will develop strategies to help mines survive current economic headwinds.

The immediate focus is finding practical solutions to protect operations across the entire sector, especially junior and small-scale miners who are being hit the hardest,

Key Industry Challenges

The local diamond sector faces a combination of falling global prices, rising operating costs, and intense competition from lab-grown synthetic diamonds. Official figures highlight the severity of the crisis:

Production Downturn: South African diamond output dropped 19.5% year-to-date through August.

Commodity Slump: According to Statistics South Africa, diamond mining was the weakest-performing mining sub-sector in August, with output falling 23.0% in the three months ending August compared to the previous three months.

Significant Mine Reductions: De Beers reported a 37% year-on-year drop in South African production for Q3 2026 (down to 418,000 carats) as operations wrap up ahead of Venetia’s pause. De Beers expects zero further production in South Africa for the remainder of 2026.

Price Pressures: Lower market values and a strong South African rand reduced average tender prices at the Finsch mine from $56 to $47 per carat, making ongoing operations unviable under current conditions.

The task team will focus on measures to ease cost pressures and address global market shifts. Further details regarding the team’s specific work plan, timelines, and financial resources will be announced as proposals are finalized.