Sotheby’s Collectors’ Week Sold the Desert Rose Diamond and Jane Birkin’s Iconic Bag At Record Prices
A very special, record-breaking diamond and an iconic handbag stole the spotlight at this year’s collectors’ week auction
The results are in – Sotheby’s annual Collectors’ Week in Abu Dhabi has officially sold the world’s largest pink diamond for $8.8 million, followed by the sale of the original 1984 Jane Birkin bag for $2.86 million, making this year’s event a historic, record-breaking auction.
The Desert Rose Diamond
The Desert Rose diamond, a 31-carat ‘orangy pink’ gemstone, has become the world’s most valuable diamond in its category. Sold at the Sotheby’s auction, the pear-shaped VVS1-clarity gem is certified as the largest diamond with its unique shape and colour. After a 20-minute bidding war between five bidders, ascending by $50,000 increments, the diamond stands as the most precious within its rare “orangy pink” category.
Other diamonds sold under ‘pink diamond’ or ‘vivid pink’ have sold for higher total values, but the desert rose stands at the largest in value due to its classification, making it a unique benchmark in the world of high-value coloured gemstones.
The Original Hermes Birkin
The iconic Hermes Birkin bag, designed by Hermes chairman Jean-Louis Dumas for British Actress Jane Birkin, sold for $2.86 million at the Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week auction. The ‘Birkin Voyageur’, an original 1984 prototype, was gifted to Jane Birkin in 2003 and has sold for six times higher than the pre-sale estimate.
The 40cm leather bag features closed bridges at the clasps, which is a rare feature only found on prototypes, while the lining included a personal handwritten message and small, intimate drawings by Jane herself. These special touches elevated the accessory from a luxury item to a unique artifact that boasted unique and personal provenance, driving the 11-minute bidding war.
Hosted at The St.Regis Island Resort, the Sotheby’s auction attracted collectors from 35 countries, nearly a quarter from the UAE, highlighting the rising prominence of high-value collectibles in the country. From real estate, luxury cars and handbags, to jewellery and watches, this year’s auction was one to remember, setting the space for a strong 2026.
Lead Image Courtesy of Instagram/@sothebys and @lucie.archive