NGC Blog :: National Gemstone

4.17 Burma Pink Sapphire Sells for $129,000 at Sotheby's Hong Kong on April 6, 2024

Apr 19, 2024, 3:48 PM

5.07 Burma Ruby sells for $1,744,946 at Sotheby's Hong Kong on April 6, 2024

Apr 10, 2024, 2:46 PM

2.76 No clarity enhancement Colombian emerald sells for almost US$100,000 at Sotheby's

Nov 9, 2023, 10:33 AM

The Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels was held on November 8, 2023

5.03 Brazilian Blue Paraiba fails to sell at Sotheby's Important Jewelry Auction, September, 2023

Nov 1, 2023, 11:34 AM

New Ruby Auction records coming? Can the controversial 55.22 carat Mozambique Ruby sell for more than the 25.59 carat Burmese Sunrise Ruby?

Apr 16, 2023, 10:35 AM

Both for sale this summer! Burmese Sunrise ruby back on market after 8 years.

Paraíba tourmaline weighing 6.12 carats sells for over $194,000

Feb 8, 2023, 10:29 AM

Sotheby's Hong Kong February 7, 2023. Gem hurt by clarity.

A 1.21-carat fancy orangy-red diamond estimated to earn between $100,000 and $150,000 sold for nearly $1.8 million at Heritage Auctions

Nov 9, 2022, 10:35 AM

The most expensive stone ever sold by Heritage at 12X presale estimate at almost $1.5 million per carat.

4.03 no treatment Colombian emerald sells for $176,400 total

Sep 17, 2022, 10:36 AM

Sotheby's recent Magnificent Jewels sells a no clarity enhancement Colombian emerald for over $43,000 per carat.

On July 13, 2022, an oval 8.38 Burma ruby sold for $7.3 million or $871,000 per carat at Poly Auctions in Hong Kong.

Jul 24, 2022, 8:49 AM

Poly Auctions is relatively new Hong Kong auction house established in 2012. With this sale, they just jumped into the gemstone big leagues.

A 18.17 Mahenge, Tanzania Red Spinel sold for $630,375 or almost $35,000 per carat.

May 18, 2022, 10:22 AM

Although not as expensive as the famous pink Hope Spinel (sold for $1.5 million in 2015), the 18.17 sold for more on a per carat basis.

The Queen's Burmese Ruby Tiara

Apr 5, 2022, 8:45 AM

What is the meaning of the 96 Burmese rubies given to The Queen by the Burmese for her wedding in 1947?

Six Gemstones Rarer Than White Diamonds

Mar 27, 2022, 9:57 AM

We would not recommend these stones for a beginning portfolio as it's probably smarter to focus on Burma gems. However, these gems might be pursued to diversify a larger collection. Here are six rare gemstones and one colored diamond.

Israeli Archaeologists Find Ancient ‘Hangover’ Ring

Nov 10, 2021, 9:23 AM

Amethyst Ring from the Byzantine era unearthed in an excavation near Tel Aviv.

Cyber Gem Heist

Nov 1, 2021, 9:55 AM

Famous London jeweler, Lawrence "King of Bling" Graff, has his private client list is stolen by Russian hackers. They are seeking millions in crypto or gems as ransom to keep client data safe.

University of Waterloo Links Greenland Rubies To Early Life

Oct 22, 2021, 8:31 AM

While analyzing Greenland rubies, researchers discovered carbon residue that was once ancient life, encased in a 2.5 billion-year-old ruby.

GIA Discovers Fraudulent Diamond Grading Reports in India

Oct 8, 2021, 10:26 AM

Police Arrest Indian Diamond Trader

The Dresden Heist of the Green Vault in Germany Update

Aug 24, 2021, 8:44 AM

Discover the flashy new generation of German outlaws. The stolen gems have still not been found.

Rio sells last of the Argyle diamonds

Aug 14, 2021, 1:24 PM

The 2021 Argyle diamond tender was comprised of 70 diamonds weighing 81.63 carats

David Marcum's book-Dow-Jones Irwin Guide to Fine Gems and Jewelry

Aug 12, 2021, 9:22 AM

Still best Gem Investor/Collector book ever!

Man Goes on 2000-Mile Quest to Mine Diamond for Engagement Ring

Jul 9, 2021, 9:25 AM

Finds a 2.20 Carat Yellow

An oval 3.21 unheated Burma ruby sells for $150, 514 per carat or $483,153 at Bonham's Hong Kong Jewels, June 20, 2021.

Jul 8, 2021, 8:31 AM

It was mounted in a signed Van Cleef & Arpels 18K gold ring with 1.40 of small diamonds.

Sotheby’s to Offer 101.38-Carat Flawless Pear Diamond for Sale With Cryptocurrency

Jun 22, 2021, 8:36 AM

Sotheby’s will be the first auctioneer to offer a massive diamond for sale that can be purchased with cryptocurrency. It is expected to fetch between $10 million and $15 million.

13.02 Burma Ruby AGL Graded sells for over $2.5 million

Jun 16, 2021, 8:59 AM

On June 9, 2021, No Heat Burma Ruby by Carvin French fetched over $190,000 per carat.

15.80 Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid Purple Pink Diamond sells at Christie's Hong Kong for only $29.3 million. It was expected to sell for $35 million.

May 25, 2021, 9:02 AM

An Asian private buyer purchased the stone named The Sakura, Japanese for cherry blossom, because the diamond is 'exactly' the same shade as the tree. Perhaps the diamond was affected by weekend crashing crypto markets or simply fall out from Covid.

An Important Collector Explains Why He Invests in Gemstones and Jewelry.

May 9, 2021, 2:49 PM

George Huang, Taipei, Taiwan, believes collecting gems and jewelry are great investments because they produce great long-term returns, you’re able to wear them, they travel well, they’re internationally recognized and easy to maintain.

Looking For A Large Burma ruby?

Apr 12, 2021, 8:37 AM

Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels has two with bidding starting on April 20, 2021 in Hong Kong.

Pink Burma Ruby and Diamond Ring in Platinum, circa 1900, sells at Bonhams for over $18,000 per carat

Feb 17, 2021, 10:50 AM

The antique cushion ruby weighs approximately 1.95 and has rose cut diamonds weighing approximately 0.70ct. mounted in platinum

American rapper Lil Ui Vert spends $24 million to implant 11 carat Pink diamond on his forehead

Feb 16, 2021, 10:53 AM

Uzi claims he first started payments on the diamond in 2017

The Grill Fad Morphs to Diamond Teeth

Jan 26, 2021, 11:04 AM

Celebrity Diamond Teeth by Beverly Hills Dentist On TikTok and Instragram

Woman at Antique Roadshow brings in grandma's 1913 Tiffany three stone ring worth $25,000-$100,000.

Jan 12, 2021, 11:07 AM

The main stone is probably a 3 and 1/2 half carat Burma sapphire.

43.10 Kashmir Sapphire Sells for $6 million at Christie's

Dec 15, 2020, 11:14 AM

A bracelet/broach with 67.9 carats of Diamonds sells to Happy Winston.

“The Spirit of the Rose,” a 14.83-carat fancy vivid purple-pink diamond sells for $26.6 million.

Nov 13, 2020, 9:46 AM

Sets per carat world record for a vivid purple-pink colored diamond

Will Pink Dimonds be the new Faberge egg?

Nov 6, 2020, 10:38 AM

Argyle Diamond Mine closing because it's too deep to dig and extract diamonds. They have been the main source of pink diamonds and prices should soar.