The Butterfly of Peace

For more information on the The Butterfly of Peace, see here.

Over twelve years, an extraordinary collection of natural colored diamonds was brought together to create the Butterfly of Peace, a singular work at the intersection of gemology and art. Conceived and created by Alan Bronstein and Harry Rodman of Aurora Gems, the Butterfly underwent its own remarkable metamorphosis, beginning with a collection of approximately 60 colored diamonds and gradually growing and taking form as additional stones were gathered. As the collection grew from more than 100 diamonds to its final composition of 240 meticulously curated colored diamonds, the Butterfly evolved over time into the extraordinary creation it is today. Together, the remarkable stones reveal an extraordinary spectrum of nature's colors. In natural light, their vivid hues create a remarkable celebration of the natural world, while under ultraviolet light, many of the diamonds fluoresce, revealing a luminous quality that brings a subtle sense of movement and life to the Butterfly.

Since its creation, the Butterfly of Peace has traveled the world, captivating audiences at leading museums and gemological institutions. Its remarkable exhibition history includes presentations at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, the Gemological Institute of America, and the Royal Ontario Museum. During its exhibition at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., it was seen by more than three million visitors, contributing to its enduring place in the public imagination as an ambassador of peace and goodwill.

Conceived as a universal expression of hope, harmony, and peace, the Butterfly draws upon the timeless symbolism of light, color, nature, and transformation. Alongside its sister collection, the Pyramid of Hope, it has inspired audiences across cultures and generations, celebrating both the extraordinary artistry of nature and the human vision that brought these diamonds together. Sotheby’s is honored to present the Butterfly of Peace as it embarks upon the next chapter of its remarkable journey. 

Composed of 240 variously-shaped diamonds of brown, yellow, white, gray, green, orange, pink, blue, violet, purple and red hue. 

• Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 167.00 carats

Condition Report:

In good condition. Please contact the Jewelry Department for further information.

• Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.; November 23, 2004–July 25, 2005
• Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Museum; July 2008
• Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON, Canada; October 25, 2008–March 22, 2009
• Houston Museum of Natural Science; May 2009–September 7, 2009
• The Field Museum, Chicago, IL, USA; October 17, 2009 (gala)–March 28, 2010
• San Diego Natural History Museum; May 2010–April 2012
• Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County; December 2013–January 2015
• Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston, Texas; July 2019–May 2021
• Natural History Museum, New York; June 2021–August 2026