"When it came to Sotheby’s 2016 jewellery sales, pink and blue diamonds reigned supreme. From the radiant ‘Unique Pink’ diamond sold in Geneva to the ‘De Beers Millennium’ blue diamond sold in Hong Kong, it was a year for exceptional jewels with colour and carats to match. Of soothing pastel hues, these stones also perfectly reflected Pantone’s Color of the Year, which in 2016, was a unique pairing of Rose Quartz and Serenity. Click ahead to discover the 20 lots that topped this year’s jewellery list, and look out for our February Fine Jewels sale in New York to get 2017 off to an extra dazzling start." –Stephanie Sporn

Lot 1843. ‘De Beers Millennium Jewel 4,’ Superb and rare 10,10 carats fancy vivid blue diamond and diamond ring. Sold for HK$248,280,000 ($32,013,223) at Sotheby's Genève, 17 mai 2016. Photo Sotheby's

Cf. Sotheby’s Hong Kong présente le « De Beers Millennium Jewel 4 »

‘The Unique Pink,’ World Auction Record Price for Any Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond. Sold for CHF30,826,000 ($31,561,200) at Sotheby's Geneva, 17 May 2016. Photo Sotheby's.

Cf. "The Unique Pink" chez Sotheby's Genève

 Lot 336. Magnificent 17.07 carats fancy intense pink diamond ring. Sold for CHF20,825,000 ($20,778,352) at Sotheby's Geneva, 16 Nov 2016. Photo Sotheby's. 

Cf. Magnificent 17.07 carats VVS1 Clarity step-cut fancy intense pink diamond ring

 Lot 494. Superb 7.32 carats fancy vivid blue diamond ring. Sold for CHF16,714,000 ($17,112,629) at Sotheby's Geneva, 17 May 2016. Photo Sotheby's. 

Cf. Superb 7.32 carats fancy vivid blue diamond ring 

Lot 337. ‘The Sky Blue Diamond’ Superb 8.01 carats Type IIb fancy vivid blue diamond ring, Cartier. Sold for CHF17,112,500 ($17,074,168) at Sotheby's Geneva, 16 Nov 2016. Photo Sotheby's. 

Cf. “The Sky Blue Diamond”. Superb 8.01 carats Type IIb fancy vivid blue diamond ring, Cartier

 Lot 329. Magnificent 13.20 carats fancy intense pink diamond ring. Sold for CHF16,268,750 ($16,232,308) at Sotheby's Geneva, 16 Nov 2016. Photo Sotheby's. 

Cf. Magnificent 13.20 carats Internally Flawless fancy intense pink diamond ring

 Lot 298A. Magnificent 7.74 carats fancy deep blue diamond ring. Sold for CHF$13,737,500 ($13,706,728) at Sotheby's Geneva, 16 Nov 2016. Photo Sotheby's. 

Cf. Magnificent 7.74 carats VVS1 Clarity oval fancy deep blue diamond ring

 Lot 405. Important 6.64 carats fancy intense blue diamond brooch, Alexandre Reza. Sold for CHF13,354,000 ($13,672,493) at Sotheby's Genève, 17 mai 2016. Photo Sotheby's. 

Cf. Important 6.64 carats fancy intense blue diamond brooch, Alexandre Reza

 Lot 411A. Important 18.51 carats fancy pink Type IIa diamond pendant. Sold for CHF9,546,000 ($9,773,672) at Sotheby's Genève, 17 mai 2016. Photo Sotheby's. 

Cf. Important 18.51 carats fancy pink Type IIa diamond pendant

 Lot 331. Important 40.30 carats pear-shaped fancy light pink diamond ring. Sold for CHF7,550,000 ($7,533,088) at Sotheby's New York, 19 Apr 2016. Photo Sotheby's. 

Cf. Important 40.30 carats VVS2 Clarity pear-shaped fancy light pink diamond ring

 Lot 462. Pair of important 8.85 and 8.79 carats fancy blue and fancy orangy pink diamond earrings. Sold for CHF5,850,000 ($5,989,523) at Sotheby's New York, 19 Apr 2016. Photo Sotheby's. 

Cf. Pair of important 8.85 and 8.79 carats fancy blue and fancy orangy pink diamond earrings

 Lot 411. Fine 6.03 carats pear-shaped fancy intense blue diamond ring. Sold for CHF5,626,000 at Sotheby's New York, 19 Apr 2016. Photo Sotheby's. 

Cf. Fine 6.03 carats pear-shaped fancy intense blue diamond ring

 Important 53.53  heart-shaped ring. Sold for CHF4,730,000 ($4,842,811) at Sotheby's Genève, 17 mai 2016. Photo Sotheby's. 

Cf. Important 53.53 heart-shaped diamond ring

 Lot 189. Magnificent Platinum and 12.45 carats fancy purplish pink diamond ring. Sold for $4,562,000 at Sotheby's New York, 19 Apr 2016. Photo Sotheby's. 

Cf. Magnificent Platinum and Fancy Purplish Pink Diamond Ring

 Lot 296. 8.73 carats Fancy intense pink diamond ring. Sold for CHF4,287,500 ($4,277,896) at Sotheby's Geneva, 16 Nov 2016. Photo Sotheby's. 

Cf. 8.73 carats VVS2 Clarity step-cut fancy intense pink diamond ring

 Lot 335. Superb  8.37 carats Burmese ruby and diamond ring, Cartier. Sold for CHF4,287,500 ($4,277,896) at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 05 Apr 2016. Photo Sotheby's. 

Cf. Superb 8.37 carats Burmese cushion-shaped ruby and diamond ring, Cartier

 Lot 1844, Important 22.40 carats D Colour, Internally Flawless Type IIa Diamond Ring. Sold for HK$28,760,000 ($3,708,314) at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 05 Apr 2016. Photo Sotheby's. 

Cf. Important Diamond Ring

 Lot 486. Attractive 14.18 carats fancy blue diamond ring. Sold for CHF3,610,000 ($3,696,098) at Sotheby's Genève, 17 mai 2016. Photo Sotheby's. 

Cf. Attractive 14.18 carats step-cut fancy blue diamond ring

Lot 420. Important 8.20 carats fancy purplish pink diamond ring. Sold for CHF3,610,000 ($3,696,098) at Sotheby's Genève, 17 mai 2016. Photo Sotheby's

Cf. Important 8.20 carats fancy purplish pink diamond ring