At Sotheby’s Collectors’ Week in Abu Dhabi, Desert Rose diamond sells for record $8.8 million

As Sotheby’s introduced its luxury auction series in the Middle East, the large fancy vivid orangy pink diamond became the centre of attention

Abu Dhabi: Sotheby’s inaugural Collector’s Week in Abu Dhabi concluded with a landmark result as The Desert Rose, a 31.86-carat fancy vivid orangy pink diamond, sold for $8.8 million, setting a new auction record for any diamond of this colour. The pear-shaped gem, previously valued between $5 million and $7 million, attracted five bidders who competed for nearly 20 minutes before the hammer fell in favour of a private collector.

The Desert Rose was the centrepiece of a major single-owner collection, meticulously assembled over decades. Its appearance in Abu Dhabi marked the diamond’s first presentation on the open market in the Middle East, following its initial reveal earlier this year at Beyond: The World’s Rarest Diamonds, a collaborative exhibition by Sotheby’s and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.

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Sotheby’s Collectors’ Week, held from December 2 to 5, 2025, brought together $250 million worth of jewellery, watches, and collectible pieces in what became the region’s first luxury auction series of such scale. The event achieved $133 million across five sales, highlighting Abu Dhabi’s growing influence in the global luxury collecting landscape.

Surrounding the Desert Rose, the curated collection included high-value pieces from leading maisons such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Bulgari, Tiffany & Co. and Boivin. Notable lots included diamond clip earrings set with pink and green GIA-certified pear-shaped stones, which carried an estimate of $100,000 to $200,000, and a 1970s Verdura “X” ring valued at $120,000 to $180,000. Collectors seeking precision-cut solitaires pursued highlights such as a Bulgari 4.02-carat D-colour, internally flawless marquise-cut diamond ring, estimated at $80,000 to $120,000. These pieces were offered as part of Precision and Brilliance: Prestigious Jewels and Watches on December 5.

Beyond the auctions, Sotheby’s and Hemmerle hosted a series of public programmes aimed at positioning Abu Dhabi as a destination for collectors. Sessions explored gemstone grading, provenance and emerging collecting trends, drawing both seasoned buyers and first-time attendees.

By anchoring the week around the Desert Rose and showcasing a rare single-owner collection, Sotheby’s has reinforced Abu Dhabi’s position as a rising global hub for high-value jewellery and luxury auctions, setting the stage for long-term collector engagement in the region.

Retail Jeweller ME News