Sotheby’s to Auction World Record Paraiba Tourmalines

The stones originate from an 830-carat crystal unearthed in 2003 by gem hunter Don Kogen. Since their discovery, they have been fashioned by artist Kat Florence and earned prestigious accolades. In July 2026, the Gübelin Gem Lab awarded the pair an 'Outstanding' rating with a 92.1 score, while the Bellerophon Gemlab granted them a rare Privilege Award, with CEO Martial Curti calling the set an extraordinary rarity in both size and quality.

This auction marks the ninth record-breaking piece Florence has brought to market. Alongside the tourmalines, she is offering a 424.80-carat flawless Tanzanite necklace, which surpassed her own previous record set by the 'Namunyak' piece. These works are currently being showcased in a rotating exhibition at the Kat Florence Hotel in Canada, where high-value gemstones are displayed within the historic 1848 limestone walls rather than traditional museum cases. Following a global exhibition tour through Tokyo and Taichung, the collection will face the hammer in Hong Kong.