TORONTO, Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 17, 2026, at 02:00 AM EDT, the new world record-breaking 'Kat Florence Luminas' will go to live auction via Sotheby's Hong Kong as part of its 'High Jewelry' event. The remarkable Paraiba Tourmaline gems have been masterfully fashioned by renowned artist Kat Florence into their pristine oval nature, weighing a new global achievement of 71.239 and 72.844 carats (the largest flawless of their kind to ever go to auction). The discovered stone these priceless collectables originate from was unveiled back in 2003 by world-famous gem hunter Don Kogen (Kat Florence Atelier's in-house gem hunter), during a routine expedition through the Mavuco district of Mozambique's Nampula province. That parent crystal weighed an astounding 830 carats.
On July 21, 2026, Swiss gem laboratory group Gübelin awarded an 'Outstanding' score to Florence's matched pair Paraiba gemstones, as well as a highly unique 92.1 points rating.
Earlier on June 19, 2026, French gem lab, Bellerophon, also meticulously examined the set, granting the Kat Florence Lumina matched pair a Bellerophon Privilege Award which the lab calls an 'extremely rare' designation.
"The possession of such a pair of natural Paraiba Tourmalines is a truly significant privilege." explains expert Martial Curti, CEO and Founder of Bellerophon Gemlab. "Exceptional in both size and quality, these magnificent Paraiba Tourmalines represent extraordinary rarity."
This immaculate set is not Kat Florence's first world record-breaking masterpiece, or even close to. The 'Kat Florence Lumina' matched pair marks the ultra-rare gem artist's ninth record piece to ever go to auction. Her eighth record piece also goes for bid at the Sotheby's 'High Jewelry' event on Sept 17, 2026: the largest, flawless Tanzanite necklace to ever go to auction, weighing 424.80 carats, set as a royal pendant surrounded by D-flawless, princess and brilliant-cut diamonds.
On February 27, 2026, Gübelin Gem Lab analyzed the one-of-a-kind Tanzanite, granting it their 'Outstanding' grading with an ultra rare Gübelin score of 91.9.
As Kat also held the previous, flawless Tanzanite auction piece record for her 423.56 carat 'Namunyak' necklace, the September event also marks her never-ending strive to achieve the rarest levels of perfection and beauty across her artistic craft.
A Living Gemstone Gallery
Back in Canada, where Kat Florence grew up before opening her worldwide rare gem atelier, the artist owns The Kat Florence Hotel, originally designed as a hidden getaway for her celebrity and VIP gems clients.
Art has always been at the heart of Kat Florence's vision, and beginning this season, her visiting clients and guests will discover an evolving collection of museum-worthy, seven-figure value Kat Florence gemstones displayed throughout the hotel's original 1848 limestone walls, transforming the historic building's Living Room into a living gallery unlike any other in North America.
Carefully curated from the Kat Florence Atelier, the rotating collection has already included the largest, flawless 424.8 carat Royal Velvet Blue Tanzanite ever offered at auction, the largest Flawless Unheated Paraiba to ever go to auction, and currently displays the world's largest flawless 52.48 carat Jeremejevite to ever go to auction set in D flawless diamonds and more. Rather than sitting behind traditional museum displays, these extraordinary works instead provide inviting moments of unexpected discovery as Kat's guests move through her intimate luxury haven.
The Rare Gem Tour And Final Auction
Certified by Bellerophon and the Gübelin Gem Lab, The Kat Florence Lumina matched pair and The Kat Florence Tanzanite Necklace hold global recognition for their rarity, size, color, clarity, and cut in a way never before seen in the world of Paraiba and Tanzanite gemstones. The pieces are currently completing their final tour with Sotheby's, with exhibitions in:
Singapore | 22-23 August - Shanghai | 29-30 August - Tokyo | 4-5 September - Taichung | 5-6 September
On September 17, 2026, The Kat Florence Lumina matched pair and Kat Florence Tanzanite and Diamond Pendant Necklace will go under the hammer at Sotheby's Hong Kong, offering collectors and connoisseurs a rare opportunity to own a true masterpiece.
High res photo gallery: press here
Private viewings of The Kat Florence Lumina Matched Pair: contact@katflorence.com or stewart.young@sothebys.com
www.katflorence.com
www.sothebys.com
Kat Florence is a globally celebrated jewelry house known for its uncompromising craftsmanship and dedication to the rarest, most exceptional gemstones on Earth. Kat Florence Atelier: www.katflorence.com / @katflorence.
Kat Florence Hotels: www.katflorencehotel.com / @katflorencehotels
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The World's Largest Matched Pair Of Flawless, Unheated Paraiba Tourmalines Go To Auction At Sotheby's
The World's Largest Matched Pair Of Flawless, Unheated Paraiba Tourmalines Go To Auction At Sotheby's
The World's Largest Matched Pair Of Flawless, Unheated Paraiba Tourmalines Go To Auction At Sotheby's
Awards Highlight Luxury Hospitality and Fine Dining Excellence Across South Korea and Vietnam
- The Shilla Seoul earns Global Winner recognition for Best Luxury Culinary Hotel, alongside national honors for luxury city and wedding hotels
- La Yeon and Continental at The Shilla Seoul receive Global Winner honors for Korean cuisine and wine selection, respectively
- The Shilla Jeju wins three resort categories across Asia, East Asia and South Korea
- Shilla Monogram Danang is named Global Winner for Best Luxury Beach Resort, highlighting the group's growing international presence
SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Shilla Hotels & Resorts has earned 11 awards, including four Global Winner honors, at the 2026 World Luxury Awards, recognizing its excellence across luxury hotels, fine dining and resort experiences. The awards recognize The Shilla Seoul and its restaurants, La Yeon and Continental, and The Shilla Jeju in South Korea, alongside Shilla Monogram Danang in Vietnam.
The World Luxury Awards recognize excellence across the luxury hospitality and travel industries through dedicated award programs for hotels, spas, restaurants and travel. The World Luxury Hotel Awards, established in 2006, and the World Luxury Restaurant Awards, established in 2015, recognize outstanding properties and dining establishments through online voting. Winners are selected across global, continental, regional and country categories.
The Shilla Seoul was named Global Winner in the Best Luxury Culinary Hotel category, while also receiving Best Luxury Wedding Hotel in South Korea and Best Luxury City Hotel in South Korea honors. The three awards recognize the hotel's offerings across fine dining, weddings and luxury urban hospitality, reflecting the breadth of experiences available at the property.
The Shilla Seoul's culinary recognition was further strengthened by its restaurants, La Yeon and Continental, which each earned Global Winner honors. La Yeon, the hotel's Korean restaurant, received the Best Korean Cuisine Global Winner award and was also recognized as Best Luxury Heritage Restaurant in East Asia. Continental, its French restaurant, was named Global Winner for Best Wine Selection and received the Best French Cuisine award in East Asia. Together with The Shilla Seoul's Best Luxury Culinary Hotel recognition, these awards highlight the hotel's strengths across Korean and French fine dining.
The Shilla Jeju received three awards: Best Luxury Ocean View Resort in Asia, Best Luxury Resort in East Asia and Best Luxury Family Resort in South Korea. Set against Jeju Island's scenic coastal landscape, the resort offers luxury accommodations, diverse dining options and leisure experiences designed for a relaxing island getaway. The three awards underscore its appeal to a broad range of travelers, from couples seeking a peaceful retreat to families enjoying a memorable resort vacation.
In Vietnam, Shilla Monogram Danang was named Global Winner in the Best Luxury Beach Resort category, marking another kind of international recognition for The Shilla Hotels & Resorts. Shilla Monogram is a lifestyle hotel brand that combines The Shilla's hospitality heritage with the distinctive character of each destination, offering experiences shaped by local culture and surroundings. The award demonstrates the group's ability to bring its hospitality expertise to international markets through a distinct brand experience.
The recognition across city hotels, fine dining restaurants and resort destinations reflects the breadth of The Shilla Hotels & Resorts' hospitality expertise. Across its portfolio, the group combines a longstanding commitment to refined service and exceptional guest experiences with hospitality offerings tailored to different destinations and traveler needs.
"We are delighted that The Shilla Seoul and The Shilla Jeju have been recognized for their excellence in luxury hospitality, and it is particularly meaningful to see Shilla Monogram Danang receive global recognition as well," said a spokesperson for The Shilla Hotels & Resorts. "This achievement shows how the hospitality expertise we have developed in Korea, combined with the unique character of each destination, can create experiences that resonate with international travelers. We will continue to build on this approach as we expand into new markets."
The Shilla Hotels & Resorts continues to strengthen its international presence, building on the hospitality expertise developed through its operations in South Korea. As part of its ongoing global expansion, the group opened Shilla Monogram Hanoi Westlake in Vietnam in October 2026, further extending its hospitality offerings to travelers around the world.
For more information:
The Shilla Hotels & Resorts Official Website: https://www.shillahotels.com/en/shillahotels/hub/index.do
The 20th Annual World Luxury Hotel Awards: The 20th Annual World Luxury Hotel Awards - World Luxury Hotel Awards
The 11th Annual World Luxury Restaurant Awards: https://www.luxuryrestaurantawards.com/winner/the-11th-annual-world-luxury-restaurant-awards/?sorts%23winners-table%5brestaurant%5d=1
About Hotel Shilla
Hotel Shilla, an affiliate of the Samsung Group, is a leading hospitality and travel retail operator based in South Korea, committed to delivering outstanding customer experiences through innovation and service excellence. Its hospitality division, The Shilla Hotels & Resorts, includes three hotel brands: The Shilla, Shilla Monogram, and Shilla Stay, with 23 properties across South Korea, China and Vietnam. The Shilla Seoul, the company's flagship luxury property, is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) and an APAC Regional Program Partner of Virtuoso, recognized globally for excellence in service and sophistication. In its travel retail division, The Shilla Duty Free is a leading duty-free powerhouse, operating three domestic stores, two overseas branches, and an online platform. Drawing on decades of expertise, Hotel Shilla continues to pursue new opportunities for growth, aiming to become a world-class service distribution leader.
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The Shilla Hotels & Resorts Recognized in 11 Categories at 2026 World Luxury Awards, Including Four Global Honors
