PodcastsJan 12, 2026
The latest poscasttest
AuctionsNov 12, 2013
'The Orange' fetches $35M at Christie’s
The largest fancy vivid orange diamond in the world at 14.82 carats, “The Orange,” set two world auction records when it sold for $35.5 million at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva Tuesday.
“The Orange” diamond sold for $35.5 million, or $2.4 million per carat, at Christie’s Geneva Tuesday. The stone’s pre-sale high estimate was $20 million.
Geneva--The largest fancy vivid orange diamond in the world at 14.82 carats, “The Orange,” set two world auction records when it sold for $35.5 million at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva Tuesday.
The stone set the price-per-carat world record for any diamond sold at auction and a new world record price for an orange diamond.
An anonymous bidder purchased the stone.
“Time and time again, a stone will appear on the market that is truly a miracle of nature. The 14.82-carat orange diamond is one such a stone … which will perhaps only be seen once in a lifetime,” said François Curiel, international head of Christie’s jewelry department.
“In the sale Tuesday, it soared far above all previous records for any orange diamond ever sold at auction, placing The Orange amongst great pinks and blues, which are traditionally the most appreciated colored diamonds.”
In total, Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction totaled $125.4 million, the highest total ever for a Geneva jewelry auction. It sold 89 percent by lot and 96 percent by value, with 22 of the lots going for more than $1 million.
In addition to The Orange, the sale included jewelry from the collections of the late French socialite Hélène Rochas and Bolivian business tycoon Simón Itturi Patiño.
An emerald and diamond necklace made by Cartier in 1937, part of the Patiño collection, sold for $9.9 million to a private Asian bidder.
Other top lots in the sale included a seven-strand natural pearl and diamond necklace, which sold to a private collector for $9 million.
A cushion-shaped sapphire and multi-gemstone “Côte D’Azur” brooch by Asian designer Anna Hu sold to an anonymous bidder for $4.6 million, setting a world auction record price per carat for a Burma sapphire and a world auction record price for a contemporary designer.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s LifeCommercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’? Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is OutThe first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.
WatchesOct 04, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—HodinkeeThe company said Benjamin Clymer will return to his role as head of the watch news website, which will maintain editorial independence.
