Historic Diamonds
Christie’s Breaks Records with the
Marie-Thérèse Pink and the Largest
Multi-Owner Jewelry Auction in History
By Grant Mobley, June 20, 2025
With $87.7 million in total sales, Christie’s latest Magnificent Jewels Auction
joins the ranks of record-breaking single-owner auctions with the help
of the Marie-Thérèse Pink.
The Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond (Photography by Steven DeVilbiss)
For the uninitiated, the auction world is an exciting spectacle where craftsmanship, design, provenance, and rarity fuel desire. Christie’s, the legendary auction house, continues to prove this by setting new benchmarks in the jewelry world. The house’s recent Magnificent Jewels auction in New York didn’t just excite; it made history.
With a total of $87.7 million, the sale became the highest-grossing multi-owner jewelry auction in history and solidified the global appeal of extraordinary natural diamonds and gemstones, led by the headline-making Marie-Thérèse Pink diamond.
The auction room was already humming with excitement long before the gavel fell, and when it did, collectors around the world frantically bid. Phones rang, and paddles waved in the auction room as connoisseurs made their bids while others clicked furiously on their screens from around the world. These items could only be described as one of a kind, whether they were rare, fancy-color diamonds or royal Mughal masterpieces. 100% of lots were sold in a rare “white glove” result.
Meet the Expert
- Grant Mobley is the Jewelry & Watch Editor of Only Natural Diamonds and a recognized authority on rare and exceptional gems, including historic auction highlights like the Marie-Thérèse Pink diamond.
- He is a GIA Diamonds Graduate.
- He has over 17 years of jewelry industry experience, starting with growing up in his family’s retail jewelry stores.
The Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond Sold For $13.98 million
The star of the sale was undeniably the Marie-Thérèse Pink diamond, a 10.38-carat kite-shaped fancy purple-pink diamond mounted by legendary jeweler JAR. This exceptional stone, named after French royal Marie Thérèse and rumored to have ties to Marie Antoinette, is as rich in provenance as it is in color. The Marie-Thérèse Pink diamond captivated collectors and historians alike with its rare hue, royal legacy, and iconic setting—hallmarks of a truly once-in-a-lifetime gem.
When the bidding ended, the diamond had soared to $13.98 million, setting a new world auction record for both a fancy purple-pink diamond and for a jewel designed by JAR. The sale firmly establishes the Marie-Thérèse Pink diamond as one of the most important and talked-about diamonds ever to appear at auction.
Other Standout Lots from the Magnificent Jewels Auction
The second highest selling lot after the Marie-Thérèse Pink diamond was a Ceylon sapphire weighing 392.52 carats, known as the Blue Belle. Its buttery blue color and unbelievable size earned the awe of the audience, and it eventually sold for $11.3 million. It is one of the largest natural sapphires ever to be sold at auction. Also, an unmounted, 66.74-carat round natural diamond commanded $3.8 million, a 25-carat pear-shaped diamond solitaire pendant reached $2.35 million, and an impressive pair of diamond earrings landed at nearly $1.5 million.
Rare Mughal Jewels and Timeless Provenance
Yet the drama didn’t end there. A suite of Mughal jewels from a royal collection turned the sale into an exploration of imperial history. A carved emerald necklace dating back centuries fetched $6.2 million, while a multi-gem and emerald necklace reached $5.55 million. A breathtaking three-strand spinel and natural pearl necklace achieved $3.01 million, underscoring a growing trend: natural provenance matters as much as carat weight.
Highlights from the Jewelry Collection of Anne H. Bass
The auction also spotlighted treasures from The Jewelry Collection of Anne H. Bass, totaling $8.8 million. Among the top performers was a pair of Van Cleef & Arpels diamond pendant earrings, selling for $1.99 million. And a standout JAR sapphire, emerald, and diamond necklace sold for $1.5 million—nearly eight times its low estimate.
Mystery-Set Marvels from the Lucille Coleman Collection
Another significant moment came from the collection “Color and Ingenuity: The Collection of Lucille Coleman.” The group featured one of the most important assemblies of Van Cleef & Arpels mystery-set jewels ever seen at auction. A ruby and diamond brooch shattered expectations, selling for $1.56 million, setting a new world auction record for a mystery-set jewel.
Iconic Designers Dominate the Auction Block
Signed jewels by Cartier, Harry Winston, and Bulgari also captured intense interest. A Cartier Art Deco multi-gem bracelet quadrupled its low estimate at $831,600, while a Harry Winston diamond pendant necklace brought in $2.4 million.
Christie’s Perspective on the Historic Sale
Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International Head of Jewelry, comments, “This season’s results highlight the tremendous demand for jewels of exceptional rarity, provenance, and craftsmanship. In addition to the regal splendor of the Marie-Thérèse Pink diamond and the Blue Belle sapphire, private collections and superb jewels were met with enthusiastic and competitive bidding driven by our team’s passionate expertise. These successes underscore Christie’s global reach, market leadership, and enduring commitment to delivering the best possible outcome for our clients.”
This landmark sale now holds the title of the largest multi-owner jewelry auction ever held. However, it joins a pantheon of historic single-owner sales that have defined the high jewelry auction space.
Comparing Historic Auction Milestones
While Christie’s latest results made headlines, they join a prestigious lineage of historic sales that have redefined the high jewelry auction landscape. From single-owner collections to royal treasures, each of these landmark auctions has showcased the enduring allure and investment value of extraordinary natural diamonds.
The World of Heidi Horten Jewelry Auction Totaled $202.1 Million in Sales
Topping the list is “The World of Heidi Horten,” which achieved an astronomical $202.1 million in 2023. This single-owner collection comprised over 700 pieces from the late Austrian billionaire and featured iconic creations by Bulgari, Harry Winston, and other renowned brands.
The Elizabeth Taylor Jewelry Auction Totaled $137.2 Million in Sales
Before that, the jewelry collection of the iconic Elizabeth Taylor in 2011 held the record, amassing an eye-watering $137.2 million. The star of the show, of course, was her iconic 33.19-carat Krupp diamond ring, featuring the famous Asscher cut, now known as the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, which sold for $8.8 million. Taylor’s collection was notable for the legendary provenance and personal stories tied to one of the most important jewelry icons of all time.
The Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence Jewelry Auction Totaled $110 Million in Sales
Finally, the 2019 “Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence” sale netted $110 million, a sale featuring centuries of royal Indian jewels, including a Belle Époque Cartier diamond devant-de-corsage brooch that left the room gasping as it sold for over $10.5 million.
A New Benchmark for Multi-Owner Jewelry Sales
It’s true that those auctions were exceptional in size and provenance. Still, Christie’s new Magnificent Jewels sale proved that a carefully curated, multi-owner sale can rival the glamour, rarity, and value of the greatest single-owner sales.
In the end, this auction was about more than price tags. It was about the enduring allure of natural diamonds and gemstones, the ability to make history, and to unite collectors worldwide in pursuit of beauty that transcends time.
