Rapaport Auctions

Rapaport Auctions is a diamond and jewelry auction platform established in 1976 as a subsidiary of Rapaport Group by Martin Rapaport. The business operates within the wider Rapaport diamond-information and trading ecosystem and is principally known for recurring sealed-bid auctions of polished diamonds. Its auction activity is divided broadly into two formats. Melee auctions offer parcels of small polished diamonds, generally uncertified stones of less than 0.20 carats each. Lots are sold in bulk and may contain a combined weight of approximately 30 to 500 carats. A significant portion of the melee inventory consists of recycled diamonds. The second format consists of single-stone auctions, in which individual loose diamonds—ranging from approximately 0.30 carats to more than 5 carats—are offered separately. Depending on the lot, stones may be certified or uncertified, with that status disclosed to prospective bidders. The platform uses a silent, sealed-bid model rather than a conventional live auction. Buyers are given multi-day viewing periods to inspect the available lots before submitting bids. This format is suited to professional diamond-market participants who need time to evaluate size, quality, certification, provenance information where available, and commercial suitability. Typical participants include wholesalers, jewelry retailers, diamond dealers, and pawnbrokers. Rapaport Auctions has conducted auction activity in several major international diamond and jewelry centers, including New York, Las Vegas, Antwerp, Ramat Gan, Dubai, Mumbai, Surat, and Hong Kong. Its geographic footprint connects major cutting, trading, manufacturing, and retail markets, while its recurring schedule supports repeat purchasing by trade buyers. The platform also handles exceptional individual stones in addition to ordinary commercial parcels. In December 2017, it facilitated the sale of the 709-carat Peace Diamond on behalf of Sierra Leone. That transaction brought public attention to the auction business and demonstrated its role in marketing unusually large or high-profile rough or polished diamond assets, alongside its regular trade-oriented sales. Rapaport Auctions is best understood as a specialist business-to-business marketplace rather than a consumer-facing jewelry retailer. Its positioning rests on auction access, professional lot inspection, international trade connectivity, and the transparent identification of whether stones are certified or uncertified. Publicly available reference material does not establish detailed current ownership, executive leadership beyond the founder, revenue, or a standalone corporate listing status.

Rapaport Auctions was founded in 1976 by Martin Rapaport as a subsidiary of Rapaport Group. Its creation placed auction activity within a broader diamond-market business associated with diamond information, pricing, and trade services. From the outset, the auction platform was oriented toward professional participants rather than general consumers. The business developed around two principal sale categories: parcels of small polished diamonds and individual loose stones. Melee auctions typically feature numerous small diamonds, generally below 0.20 carats per stone, aggregated into lots whose total weight can range from roughly 30 to 500 carats. These parcels are commonly used by jewelry manufacturers and retailers that need volume inventory, and many lots include recycled diamonds. Single-stone auctions serve a different commercial purpose by presenting individual diamonds of approximately 0.30 carats and above, including stones exceeding 5 carats. Both certified and uncertified diamonds may be offered, with the available certification status disclosed to bidders. Rather than relying on a live auctioneer and public bidding, Rapaport Auctions uses a sealed-bid or silent-auction process. Buyers receive a multi-day opportunity to view and inspect lots before submitting confidential bids. This structure allows trade professionals to compare stones and parcels in a controlled setting and is compatible with the technical evaluation required in diamond transactions. The principal customer groups identified for the platform are wholesalers, retailers, diamond dealers, and pawnbrokers. The auction program has operated across a network of established diamond and jewelry centers. Locations identified in reference material include New York and Las Vegas in the United States; Antwerp in Belgium; Ramat Gan in Israel; Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; Mumbai and Surat in India; and Hong Kong. The network reflects the international nature of the diamond supply chain, linking major trading, cutting, manufacturing, and retail hubs. Although much of the platform's activity concerns ordinary commercial inventory, it has also handled notable individual stones. In December 2017, Rapaport Auctions managed the sale of the 709-carat Peace Diamond for Sierra Leone. The transaction was a prominent example of the platform's use for a high-value and high-profile diamond and expanded public awareness of its auction role beyond routine melee and single-stone trade sales. The available reference material does not provide a complete chronology of later corporate changes, current management, revenue, ownership arrangements, or a standalone website. Accordingly, the documented history is strongest on the platform's founding, auction formats, geographic locations, and the 2017 Peace Diamond transaction. Its enduring business identity is that of a specialist professional marketplace offering recurring sealed-bid diamond auctions within the Rapaport Group.

• 2017

  Sale of the Peace Diamond

  [1]Rapaport Auctionsen.wikipedia.org

  The platform handles the sale of Sierra Leone's 709-carat Peace Diamond in December.

• 1976

  Rapaport Auctions is founded

  [1]Rapaport Auctionsen.wikipedia.org

  Martin Rapaport establishes Rapaport Auctions as a subsidiary of Rapaport Group.

A specialist international, business-to-business diamond auction platform focused on recurring sealed-bid sales, professional inspection, and access to both commercial parcels and individual polished stones.

• Diamond auction

  Melee diamond auctions

  Recurring sealed-bid auctions of parcels containing small polished diamonds, generally less than 0.20 carats per stone. Lots commonly weigh between approximately 30 and 500 carats in total. Many parcels contain recycled diamonds and are intended for professional buyers purchasing volume inventory for jewelry manufacturing, retail, dealing, or pawnbroking.

• Diamond auction

  Single-stone polished diamond auctions

  Sealed-bid auctions for individual loose polished diamonds ranging from approximately 0.30 carats to more than 5 carats. The offering can include both certified and uncertified stones, with the relevant status disclosed to bidders before bidding.

• Auction service

  Professional diamond viewing sessions

  Multi-day inspection periods associated with the sealed-bid auction process. Trade participants can examine available parcels and individual stones before submitting bids, supporting technical and commercial evaluation in advance of the sale.

• 2017

  Auction of the Peace DiamondOther

  Background

  Sierra Leone offered the 709-carat Peace Diamond through Rapaport Auctions, bringing an exceptionally large and high-profile stone into the platform's auction program.

  Action taken

  Rapaport Auctions handled the sale in December 2017.

  Aftermath

  The transaction demonstrated that the platform could handle prominent individual stones in addition to its recurring commercial auctions of melee parcels and single polished diamonds.

  Source

1. 1Rapaport Auctionsen.wikipedia.org