Bulgari’s Forgotten Treasure: The €2.2 Million Pink Diamond That Slept in a Jewellery Box
When the hammer fell at Bolaffi in Turin this October, it marked more than a record-breaking sale. It unveiled a story of rediscovery, emotion, and timeless craftsmanship. The jewel in question was a 1970s Bulgari “Trombino” ring, crafted in platinum and centred around a 3.18-carat Natural Fancy Intense Pink diamond. The piece was sold for €2.26 million, setting a new milestone for Aste Bolaffiand becoming the second-highest result ever achieved for a jewel in Italy.
The auction, spread over two days on 7 and 8 October 2025, gathered collectors from across the globe both in person at Sala Bolaffi in Turin and online. Out of nearly 530 lots ranging from the 19th century to the early 2000s, the Bulgari ring emerged as the undisputed star. The piece had rested for decades in a family collection, passed from grandmother to granddaughter, who, despite the Bulgari signature and the remarkable size of the central gem, believed it to be a simple rose quartz. Only the meticulous gemmological appraisal of Bolaffi’s experts revealed its true nature: a Type IIa pink diamond, a chemically pure stone free of nitrogen and among the rarest found in nature. The rectangular step-cut diamond was accompanied by a GIA certificate confirming its VS2 clarity and framed by 64 round brilliant and baguette-cut diamonds totalling 1.93 carats. The harmony between carat weight, colour intensity, and purity makes this example an almost unattainable rarity in today’s international market.
As Matteo Armandi, head of Aste Bolaffi’s “Passion” division, explained: “A natural pink diamond is already a highly sought-after piece, but exceeding three carats becomes an absolute rarity. If set in a Bulgari creation, it becomes a unique item.”
The “Trombino” design is one of Bulgari’s most celebrated, produced for more than half a century in numerous variations. Yet this particular example stands apart for the exceptional scale and intensity of its central stone. During the auction, more than ten bidders from the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, the Middle East, and Hong Kong battled for the piece, driving the final price well beyond its estimate of €800,000–€1.2 million. The result not only established a new all-time record for Aste Bolaffi, surpassing the previous top lot achieved earlier this year by a work of Fernand Léger, but also confirmed the growing relevance of Italy in the international fine jewellery market. During the auction, Bolaffi catalogue featured an impressive selection of pieces from Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Cusi, Pomellato, Frascarolo, and Christian Dior, underscoring the auction house’s refined curatorial vision. With this sale, Aste Bolaffi strengthens its position among Europe’s leading auction houses and Bulgari once again demonstrates that its legacy lies not only in beauty but in rediscovery, emotion, and the enduring artistry that connects generations through jewels.
Image Credits: Aste Bolaffi
