Sotheby’s Brings a Billion Dollar Gems and Jewelry Stock to Abu Dhabi Auction

United Arab Emirates Jewellery News: Sotheby’s Targets the Middle East Luxury Elite

Sotheby’s is making a bold statement in the Middle East as it launches its inaugural Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week, bringing an astonishing US 1 billion dollars worth of rare gems, collectibles and ultra-luxury assets to the St Regis Saadiyat Island resort from December 2 to 5. The move underscores the auction house’s growing focus on Gulf buyers who are increasingly dominating the global high-end jewelry and collectibles landscape. This United Arab Emirates Jewellery News report highlights how the event blends live auctions with discreet private sales aimed at the region’s wealthiest connoisseurs.

A new wave of record-breaking gems arrives in Abu Dhabi as Sotheby’s targets elite collectors.
Image Credit: Sotheby’s

A Showcase of Record-Breaking Diamonds One of the most magnetic stars of the December 5 live auction “Precision & Brilliance Prestigious Jewels & Watches From an Important Private Collection” is the Desert Rose, a breathtaking 31.68 carat pear shaped fancy vivid pink diamond with a rare sunset toned orangey glow. Estimated between 5 million and 7 million dollars, it is expected to ignite fierce bidding among regional collectors. The same sale will unveil a remarkable single owner curation of 20th century signed masterpieces including a Tiffany and Co art deco diamond ring set with a 5.61 carat Kashmir sapphire and a Boucheron ring built around a nearly 8 carat Colombian emerald

Boucheron ring with 7.88 ct. emerald-cut emerald surrounded by marquise- and pear-shape diamonds, estimated at US$500,000
Image Credit: Sotheby’s

Private Sales Reinvent Luxury Acquisition in the Gulf

Sotheby’s is also rolling out an exclusive private sale tailored for Abu Dhabi, featuring the world’s largest flawless diamond and the world’s largest deep green diamond with a combined value of 100 million dollars. This hybrid sales model appeals to ultra-high net worth individuals in the UAE who prefer discreet transactions over public competitive bidding. According to Sotheby’s luxury chief Josh Pullan, the event mirrors the region’s rapidly expanding cultural and investment appetite, supported by a rising class of younger collectors. Abu Dhabi authorities see the event as a cornerstone in positioning the emirate as a global capital of collectibles.

The auction house’s deep dive into Abu Dhabi marks a significant strategic shift and signals how the Gulf is becoming an essential force in shaping global luxury markets, with the appetite for rare gems only expected to intensify in the coming years.

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