Auction Bidders Swerve to Gemstones, Diamonds Stable

Christie’s observed “surging” demand for colored gemstones in 2025, while interest in diamonds has begun to stabilize.

Emeralds, rubies and sapphires were the primary focus of increased bidding for colored gemstones, but Paraiba tourmalines saw “record-setting interest” last year, according to the auction house’s first Luxury Trends Report. Pearls also saw a global resurgence, with prices rising for both necklaces and single-pearl earrings.

Meanwhile, demand for white diamonds stabilized as prices leveled. The auction house experienced no significant upward movement in demand or valuation, according to the report.

Watches also performed well on the auction circuit in 2025. Top brands included Patek Philippe, Rolex, Breguet, Cartier, FP Journe, Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille. However, it was the private sales that scored best, with multiple private deals raking in over $10 million, a record for the company.

The categories comprised two of the top five auction departments for attracting new bidders, with watches bringing in 15% of first-time customers last year and jewelry nabbing 8%. Other top categories included handbags, with 12%, postwar and contemporary with 11% and wine, with 7%.

For 2026, Christie’s predicted that pearls and colored gemstones would see an even greater increase in demand, with Asia and the Middle East being key drivers of activity across the country, according to the report.

Image: Christie’s auction house in London. (Shutterstock)