Jewels
See also : White diamond Pink diamond Blue diamond African diamonds Jewels II Louis XV-XVI
Chronology : 18th century 1790-1799 1960 21st century 2000-2009 2003 2010-2019 2020 to now 2021
Chronology : 18th century 1790-1799 1960 21st century 2000-2009 2003 2010-2019 2020 to now 2021
To pay tribute to April's birthstone, we take a look at 19 breathtaking diamonds from past & upcoming sales. https://t.co/7K4aYC8P2B pic.twitter.com/eJ99tD2lm8
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) April 16, 2017
Worn by royalty, sold by Christie’s. Historian Vincent Meylan traces 250 years of jewellery auctions at Christie’s https://t.co/am1Kn6sNMA pic.twitter.com/TPzSxZ4mGe
— Christie's (@ChristiesInc) November 10, 2016
1791 The Pearls of Queen Marie-Antoinette
2018 SOLD for CHF 36.4M including premium by Sotheby's
narrated in 2020
For her marriage to the future King Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette received an impressive quantity of diamonds, rubies and pearls from her mother, the Empress Marie Therese, and from her husband's grandfather, King Louis XV. She loved jewelry and kept improving her collection.
During early phase of the Revolution, Marie-Antoinette who is still the Queen plans to flee to Austria. In January 1791, helped by her chambermaid, she prepares a cassette with her favorite jewelry. The jewels reach Vienna but the king and queen are arrested in Varennes in June 1791.
In 1795 Madame Royale, the only survivor of the children of the royal couple, is freed from the revolutionary prisons and goes into exile in Vienna. The emperor Franz II returns the jewels to her while keeping the rubies in compensation for a pension granted to the princess. In Madame Royale's legacy in 1851, one third of the jewelry is attributed to her niece Louise, Duchess of Parma.
Around 1930 Marie-Anne of Austria, wife of the acting Duke of Parma, describes in an inventory four jewels in pearls and diamonds of which she attests that they come from Marie-Antoinette. These pieces, which had never been published or exhibited, were included in the auction of the royal jewelry from the Bourbon-Parma collection by Sotheby's on November 14, 2018.
Lot 97, a three-row pearl necklace with a diamond clasp, was sold for CHF 2.3M including premium over a lower estimate of CHF 200K. The next two lots, a necklace and a pair of earrings, were sold for CHF 450K each including premium.
Lot 100 was a 15.90 x 18.35 x 25.85mm drop shaped pearl assembled in a pendant with a large diamond clasp and a bow of small diamonds. This interesting souvenir of a queen who had desired to live in the utmost luxury was sold for CHF 36.4M including premium over an estimate of CHF 1M to 2M.
During early phase of the Revolution, Marie-Antoinette who is still the Queen plans to flee to Austria. In January 1791, helped by her chambermaid, she prepares a cassette with her favorite jewelry. The jewels reach Vienna but the king and queen are arrested in Varennes in June 1791.
In 1795 Madame Royale, the only survivor of the children of the royal couple, is freed from the revolutionary prisons and goes into exile in Vienna. The emperor Franz II returns the jewels to her while keeping the rubies in compensation for a pension granted to the princess. In Madame Royale's legacy in 1851, one third of the jewelry is attributed to her niece Louise, Duchess of Parma.
Around 1930 Marie-Anne of Austria, wife of the acting Duke of Parma, describes in an inventory four jewels in pearls and diamonds of which she attests that they come from Marie-Antoinette. These pieces, which had never been published or exhibited, were included in the auction of the royal jewelry from the Bourbon-Parma collection by Sotheby's on November 14, 2018.
Lot 97, a three-row pearl necklace with a diamond clasp, was sold for CHF 2.3M including premium over a lower estimate of CHF 200K. The next two lots, a necklace and a pair of earrings, were sold for CHF 450K each including premium.
Lot 100 was a 15.90 x 18.35 x 25.85mm drop shaped pearl assembled in a pendant with a large diamond clasp and a bow of small diamonds. This interesting souvenir of a queen who had desired to live in the utmost luxury was sold for CHF 36.4M including premium over an estimate of CHF 1M to 2M.
Marie Antoinette’s pendant sets auction record for a natural pearl at @Sothebys in Geneva:https://t.co/1glDvfpi3w pic.twitter.com/5z2iNTmd8a
— AntiquesTradeGazette (@ATG_Editorial) November 15, 2018
(previous purchase ca 1950) The Year of the Pink Diamonds
2010 SOLD 45.4 MCHF including premium
For several years, the fancy vivid blue diamonds obtained top prices. They are now in a close competition with pink diamonds, which have the advantage that top gemstones are bigger.
This trend accelerated on 1 December 2009, when a fancy vivid pink weighing 5 carats reached HK $ 83M including premium at Christie's in Hong Kong, i.e. U.S. $ 2.1 million per carat.
I have already discussed a few days ago the Perfect Pink, a fancy intense pink of VVS2 clarity weighing 14.23 carats, estimated HK $ 110M by Christie's, for sale on November 29.
In this fall, it has found a serious competitor. On November 16 in Geneva, Sotheby's auctions another fancy intense pink diamond, also of VVS2 clarity, also emerald cut, but bigger. Weighing 24.78 carats, it is mounted on a ring and estimated CHF 27M. It is illustrated in the article shared under Creative Commons protocol by LeBlogLuxe. This diamond was already known: 60 years ago, it was purchased to Harry Winston. It had never come back on the market.
Here are two recent examples that confirm the popularity of the pink color.
On October 3 in Toronto, Circa Auctions sold Can $ 2.3M a fancy intense orangy pink weighing 10.11 carats, clarity not found in the catalog.
On October 6 in Hong Kong, Sotheby's sold HK $ 60M including premium a diamond ring including a fancy vivid pink, VS2 clarity, weighing 6.43 carats.
POST SALE COMMENT
I had no doubt before the sale, and nobody can have a doubt now: the fancy intense pink diamond sold by Sotheby's is one of the most outstanding lots of current year. The result, CHF 45.4 million including premium corresponds to a value per carat never achieved previously at auction for a diamond of that size: 1.8 MCHF per carat.
I invite you to play the video shared on the web by Sotheby's :
This trend accelerated on 1 December 2009, when a fancy vivid pink weighing 5 carats reached HK $ 83M including premium at Christie's in Hong Kong, i.e. U.S. $ 2.1 million per carat.
I have already discussed a few days ago the Perfect Pink, a fancy intense pink of VVS2 clarity weighing 14.23 carats, estimated HK $ 110M by Christie's, for sale on November 29.
In this fall, it has found a serious competitor. On November 16 in Geneva, Sotheby's auctions another fancy intense pink diamond, also of VVS2 clarity, also emerald cut, but bigger. Weighing 24.78 carats, it is mounted on a ring and estimated CHF 27M. It is illustrated in the article shared under Creative Commons protocol by LeBlogLuxe. This diamond was already known: 60 years ago, it was purchased to Harry Winston. It had never come back on the market.
Here are two recent examples that confirm the popularity of the pink color.
On October 3 in Toronto, Circa Auctions sold Can $ 2.3M a fancy intense orangy pink weighing 10.11 carats, clarity not found in the catalog.
On October 6 in Hong Kong, Sotheby's sold HK $ 60M including premium a diamond ring including a fancy vivid pink, VS2 clarity, weighing 6.43 carats.
POST SALE COMMENT
I had no doubt before the sale, and nobody can have a doubt now: the fancy intense pink diamond sold by Sotheby's is one of the most outstanding lots of current year. The result, CHF 45.4 million including premium corresponds to a value per carat never achieved previously at auction for a diamond of that size: 1.8 MCHF per carat.
I invite you to play the video shared on the web by Sotheby's :
(previous sale 1960) The Princie Diamond
2013 SOLD for 39.3M by Christie's
On April 16, 2013 Christie's sold as lot 295 for $ 39.3M a cushion-cut pink diamond weighing 34.65 carats, which is 1.135 million US $ per carat. It is identified as historic, which mostly means that some ancient information is available.
This diamond has not been seen publicly since 1960. It was then bought £ 46K at auction by Van Cleef & Arpels, who named it the Princie Diamond by friendship with the young prince of Baroda.
Its true color revealed by the 2013 sale, fancy intense pink, is a pleasant surprise, because this is one of the best and rarest colors. The 24.78 carats Graff Pink, sold CHF 45.4M (1.85 million US $ per carat) by Sotheby's in 2010 has the same color.
The provenance of the Princie was not revealed in 1960. The press release from Christie's tells that the seller was the Nizam of Hyderabad himself, which supports the hypothesis that this diamond had been extracted from Golconda. Unfortunately, its VS2 clarity is not excellent. The Graff Pink, VVS2, is better by two grades.
This diamond has not been seen publicly since 1960. It was then bought £ 46K at auction by Van Cleef & Arpels, who named it the Princie Diamond by friendship with the young prince of Baroda.
Its true color revealed by the 2013 sale, fancy intense pink, is a pleasant surprise, because this is one of the best and rarest colors. The 24.78 carats Graff Pink, sold CHF 45.4M (1.85 million US $ per carat) by Sotheby's in 2010 has the same color.
The provenance of the Princie was not revealed in 1960. The press release from Christie's tells that the seller was the Nizam of Hyderabad himself, which supports the hypothesis that this diamond had been extracted from Golconda. Unfortunately, its VS2 clarity is not excellent. The Graff Pink, VVS2, is better by two grades.
A Blue Diamond for Oppenheimer
2016 SOLD for CHF 57M including premium
Throughout the twentieth century the De Beers cartel managed to control the diamond trade, accumulating an immeasurable wealth. The trust becomes a family business when a former buyer of diamonds of German origin named Ernest Oppenheimer becomes chairman of the company in 1929.
London is a hub for international operations and price controls. Sir Philip Oppenheimer retired in 1993 after 45 years as head of the Central Selling Organization of the cartel. This powerful position enabled him to keep exceptional gems.
On May 18 in Geneva, Christie's sells the Oppenheimer Blue that had belonged to Sir Philip. Weighing 14.62 carats, it is the largest fancy vivid blue diamond ever offered at auction. It is estimated CHF 38M, lot 242. It has been set on a ring by Verdura.
The clarity of the Oppenheimer Blue is excellent, graded VVS1 by the GIA. However, it does not reach the absolute purity of the Blue Moon, cushion cut to 12.03 carats, sold for CHF 49M including premium by Sotheby's on November 11, 2015, whose stunning clarity generates a phosphorescence effect under ultraviolet radiation.
The exceptional saturation characterizing the fancy vivid blue hue is enhanced on the Oppenheimer Blue by a highly efficient rectangular cut.
I invite you to admire this masterpiece of jewelry in the video shared by Christie's :
London is a hub for international operations and price controls. Sir Philip Oppenheimer retired in 1993 after 45 years as head of the Central Selling Organization of the cartel. This powerful position enabled him to keep exceptional gems.
On May 18 in Geneva, Christie's sells the Oppenheimer Blue that had belonged to Sir Philip. Weighing 14.62 carats, it is the largest fancy vivid blue diamond ever offered at auction. It is estimated CHF 38M, lot 242. It has been set on a ring by Verdura.
The clarity of the Oppenheimer Blue is excellent, graded VVS1 by the GIA. However, it does not reach the absolute purity of the Blue Moon, cushion cut to 12.03 carats, sold for CHF 49M including premium by Sotheby's on November 11, 2015, whose stunning clarity generates a phosphorescence effect under ultraviolet radiation.
The exceptional saturation characterizing the fancy vivid blue hue is enhanced on the Oppenheimer Blue by a highly efficient rectangular cut.
I invite you to admire this masterpiece of jewelry in the video shared by Christie's :
Rectangular Pink Diamonds
2018 SOLD for CHF 50M including premium
On November 13 in Geneva, Christie's sells the Pink Legacy, lot 311 estimated CHF 30M. This pink diamond Type IIa weighs 18.96 carats in a Fancy Vivid saturation without trace of secondary color and in VS1 clarity. Shaped in rectangle with cut corners, it is mounted on a ring. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Very little information has been revealed about its provenance. Its stone had been mined in South Africa and the jewel belonged to the Oppenheimer family. Although it cannot compete with the Pink Star, 59.60 carats Fancy Vivid Pink Internally Flawless, it is one of the best diamonds in its class.
Fancy Vivid is the high end of saturation, better than Fancy Intense, and big diamonds are rare in this shade. Above all, each diamond is different for a jeweler. The shape is chosen according to the homogeneity of the color. The rectangle offers the best brilliance. It is often used for white diamonds but big pink diamonds capable to maintain their full brightness in that shape are very rare.
Here are some examples of rectangular pink diamonds. The results include the premium.
In Fancy Vivid Pink saturation, a diamond weighing 5.18 carats whose clarity was only VS2 was sold for CHF 10M by Christie's on May 13, 2015. Considering that the price per carat increases with the weight, this result approaching CHF 2M per carat confirms that the diamond that is now on sale is an exceptional piece.
In Fancy Intense Pink saturation, big rectangular diamonds are actually less rare. The Perfect Pink weighing 14.23 carats with an excellent clarity VVS2 was sold for HK $ 180M by Christie's on November 29, 2010. With the same clarity, a diamond weighing 24.78 carats was sold for CHF 45.4M by Sotheby's on November 16, 2010. With an even better clarity graded VVS1, a diamond weighing 17.07 carats was sold for CHF 21M by Sotheby's on December 16, 2016.
Very little information has been revealed about its provenance. Its stone had been mined in South Africa and the jewel belonged to the Oppenheimer family. Although it cannot compete with the Pink Star, 59.60 carats Fancy Vivid Pink Internally Flawless, it is one of the best diamonds in its class.
Fancy Vivid is the high end of saturation, better than Fancy Intense, and big diamonds are rare in this shade. Above all, each diamond is different for a jeweler. The shape is chosen according to the homogeneity of the color. The rectangle offers the best brilliance. It is often used for white diamonds but big pink diamonds capable to maintain their full brightness in that shape are very rare.
Here are some examples of rectangular pink diamonds. The results include the premium.
In Fancy Vivid Pink saturation, a diamond weighing 5.18 carats whose clarity was only VS2 was sold for CHF 10M by Christie's on May 13, 2015. Considering that the price per carat increases with the weight, this result approaching CHF 2M per carat confirms that the diamond that is now on sale is an exceptional piece.
In Fancy Intense Pink saturation, big rectangular diamonds are actually less rare. The Perfect Pink weighing 14.23 carats with an excellent clarity VVS2 was sold for HK $ 180M by Christie's on November 29, 2010. With the same clarity, a diamond weighing 24.78 carats was sold for CHF 45.4M by Sotheby's on November 16, 2010. With an even better clarity graded VVS1, a diamond weighing 17.07 carats was sold for CHF 21M by Sotheby's on December 16, 2016.
The 19-carat 'Pink Legacy' ring—the largest and finest fancy vivid pink diamond ever offered at auction by @ChristiesInc—is expected to draw at least $30 million: https://t.co/RO4LdZHUv1 pic.twitter.com/Ce4MKJ3CLb
— ForbesLife (@ForbesLife) October 18, 2018
2003 The Pink Star
2013 recorded 76 MCHF including premium, UNPAID
2017 SOLD for HK$ 550M including premium
The Pink Star is unquestionably and by far the greatest polished diamond that ever hit the auction market. It should have fetched CHF 76M including premium at Sotheby's on November 13, 2013 but the buyer was unable to pay and its sale was cancelled.
Its come back was eagerly awaited by all the fans of highest jewelry and of auction history. It will be sold by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on April 4, lot 1801. It is estimated in excess of HK$ 468M currently worth US$ 60M, according to the press release of March 20.
The essay below is based on my 2013 discussion :
Its subtle color, Fancy Vivid Pink, is the best graded among diamond colors. Internally Flawless means a perfect clarity. Its weight, 59.60 carats, is the highest recorded for finished flawless diamonds of that color. Its oval shape and its polish are the perfect result of two years of work executed by Steinmetz Diamonds.
It comes from a rough gem of 142.5 carats unearthed in 1999 by De Beers somewhere in Africa, which is currently the best location for new fabulous diamonds. Its mixed cut had required more than 50 subsequent models from epoxy casts. It was unveiled to the public in 2003.
It exceeds in all its features the Graff Pink, sold for CHF 45.4 million including premium by Sotheby's on 16 November 2010, which had 24.78 carats, a VVS2 clarity and a fancy intense pink color slightly lower in theory than the fancy vivid but indeed highly striking in this specimen.
The Pink Star is expected beyond US $ 60M, a suitable and even conservative estimate when we consider that it is "only" US$ 1M per carat, but nevertheless ambitious because no other gem has ever reached such a price at auction. (Note that this expected value has been kept unchanged before the 2017 sale).
Please watch the videos shared by Sotheby's : the 2013 pre sale video and the short video introducing the next auction :
Its come back was eagerly awaited by all the fans of highest jewelry and of auction history. It will be sold by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on April 4, lot 1801. It is estimated in excess of HK$ 468M currently worth US$ 60M, according to the press release of March 20.
The essay below is based on my 2013 discussion :
Its subtle color, Fancy Vivid Pink, is the best graded among diamond colors. Internally Flawless means a perfect clarity. Its weight, 59.60 carats, is the highest recorded for finished flawless diamonds of that color. Its oval shape and its polish are the perfect result of two years of work executed by Steinmetz Diamonds.
It comes from a rough gem of 142.5 carats unearthed in 1999 by De Beers somewhere in Africa, which is currently the best location for new fabulous diamonds. Its mixed cut had required more than 50 subsequent models from epoxy casts. It was unveiled to the public in 2003.
It exceeds in all its features the Graff Pink, sold for CHF 45.4 million including premium by Sotheby's on 16 November 2010, which had 24.78 carats, a VVS2 clarity and a fancy intense pink color slightly lower in theory than the fancy vivid but indeed highly striking in this specimen.
The Pink Star is expected beyond US $ 60M, a suitable and even conservative estimate when we consider that it is "only" US$ 1M per carat, but nevertheless ambitious because no other gem has ever reached such a price at auction. (Note that this expected value has been kept unchanged before the 2017 sale).
Please watch the videos shared by Sotheby's : the 2013 pre sale video and the short video introducing the next auction :
Sotheby’s Brings ‘Pink Star’ Diamond to Hong Kong https://t.co/D5Lo7D6NIX pic.twitter.com/yk5ph7cUhn
— Art Market Monitor (@artmarket) March 20, 2017
WATCH: World's most valuable cut diamond, the 59.60-carat "Pink Star," could fetch a record $60 million at auction: https://t.co/JsYfyHq5H8 pic.twitter.com/mLNLyhUhBY
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 20, 2017
2014 In a Blue Moon
2015 SOLD for CHF 49M including premium
The ground continues to unearth important diamonds. Yet, the discovery announced by Petra Diamonds in January 2014 of a 29.62 carat blue gem from the much famous Cullinan mine in South Africa aroused a particular interest in the diamond community.
The new diamond is fancy vivid blue without inclusion, which is already a great rarity. It was purchased by Cora International, headquartered in New York, which processed it. This fancy vivid blue cut to 12.03 carats is the largest internally flawless blue diamond in cushion shape.
Once completed, it revealed even more exceptional qualities. Its ocean blue color is perfect without a secondary hue. It has no fluorescence. An exposure to ultraviolet radiation generates an intense orange-red phosphorescence that persists for about twenty seconds, a sensational feature which is known only to a few blue diamonds of absolute purity.
It is a masterpiece in both its size and features. It was named The Blue Moon in reference both to its shape and to the saying 'Once in a blue moon' that means a total rarity. It seems inconceivable to find better in its class, especially since the production of the Cullinan mine tends to decrease.
The Blue Moon is estimated between $ 35M (CHF 34,2M) and $ 55M (CHF 53,7M), for sale by Sotheby's in Geneva on November 11, lot 513. I invite you to watch the video shared by Sotheby's.
The new diamond is fancy vivid blue without inclusion, which is already a great rarity. It was purchased by Cora International, headquartered in New York, which processed it. This fancy vivid blue cut to 12.03 carats is the largest internally flawless blue diamond in cushion shape.
Once completed, it revealed even more exceptional qualities. Its ocean blue color is perfect without a secondary hue. It has no fluorescence. An exposure to ultraviolet radiation generates an intense orange-red phosphorescence that persists for about twenty seconds, a sensational feature which is known only to a few blue diamonds of absolute purity.
It is a masterpiece in both its size and features. It was named The Blue Moon in reference both to its shape and to the saying 'Once in a blue moon' that means a total rarity. It seems inconceivable to find better in its class, especially since the production of the Cullinan mine tends to decrease.
The Blue Moon is estimated between $ 35M (CHF 34,2M) and $ 55M (CHF 53,7M), for sale by Sotheby's in Geneva on November 11, lot 513. I invite you to watch the video shared by Sotheby's.
2016 Three Continents for a Stone
2017 SOLD for CHF 33.5M including premium
On November 14 in Geneva, Christie's sells as lot 505 a diamond type IIa, D color, Flawless clarity. Weighing 163.41 carats, it is the largest perfect white diamond ever offered at auction and one of the largest ever inspected by the GIA. This performance is not the result of chance but of the involvement of the best specialists in the world.
The steps are told in detail by Christie's in the featured post.
The rough stone is extracted in Angola in February 2016. Weighing 404 carats, it is promising while being far from the records. Its quality is confirmed in New York by spectrography. For several weeks a team of experts researches the defects of the crystal.
Its bean form is not directly usable. In June, the world's best diamond cleaver with more than 50 years of experience cuts the stone in two halves from the middle. The polishing in emerald cut lasts six months, facet after facet.
They must now design a piece of jewelry highlighting this unprecedented wonder. The diamond is brought in December 2016 to De Grisogono in Geneva, which designs an asymmetrical necklace of emeralds and diamonds in 44 cm length. The jewel entrusted to Christie's then travels around the world before returning to Geneva for its auction sale
The steps are told in detail by Christie's in the featured post.
The rough stone is extracted in Angola in February 2016. Weighing 404 carats, it is promising while being far from the records. Its quality is confirmed in New York by spectrography. For several weeks a team of experts researches the defects of the crystal.
Its bean form is not directly usable. In June, the world's best diamond cleaver with more than 50 years of experience cuts the stone in two halves from the middle. The polishing in emerald cut lasts six months, facet after facet.
They must now design a piece of jewelry highlighting this unprecedented wonder. The diamond is brought in December 2016 to De Grisogono in Geneva, which designs an asymmetrical necklace of emeralds and diamonds in 44 cm length. The jewel entrusted to Christie's then travels around the world before returning to Geneva for its auction sale
Later this fall @ChristiesInc will #auction off 163-carat #diamond set into a necklace by @deGRISOGONO #degrisogono https://t.co/jvFFoVvZVF pic.twitter.com/dLcwY9bdy3
— National Jeweler (@NationalJeweler) October 2, 2017
Blue for Boys and Pink for Girls
2017 SOLD for CHF 42M including premium
On May 16 in Geneva, Sotheby's sells an exceptional blue diamond, lot 377 estimated CHF 38M. It is in the best color, Fancy vivid blue, and perfect clarity, Internally Flawless (IF). The concentration of boron atoms in its crystal made it classify as Type IIb by the GIA, rarer than the Type IIa.
It weighs 14.54 carats, compared with the 14.62 carat of the Oppenheimer Blue which was sold for CHF 57M including premium by Christie's on May 18, 2016.
The Blue Moon that became after its sale the Blue Moon of Josephine is also a Type IIb. Sold for CHF 49M including premium by Sotheby's on November 11, 2015, this diamond weighing 12.03 carats owes its culminating value at US $ 4M per carat to an absolute purity generating a sensational effect of phosphorescence after exposure to ultraviolet rays.
The diamond that comes in the next sale is pear shaped. Someone had the idea to choose a pink diamond of comparable cut and size. The two gems hanging each to a suite of two white diamonds thus constitutes temporarily the most sumptuous pair of earrings of all time. They are named Apollo and Artemis by reference to the beautiful twins of Greek mythology.
Nevertheless this pair will be divided. Artemis is estimated CHF 12.5M, lot 378. It is a Fancy intense pink Type IIa and VVS2 clarity weighing 16.00 carats. The market generally prefers a Fancy vivid pink. Of the same Type, clarity and form, a Fancy vivid pink weighing 15.38 carats was sold for CHF 31M including premium by Sotheby's on May 17, 2016.
Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's :
RESULTS INCLUDING PREMIUM :
Blue : CHF 42M
Pink : CHF 15.3M
It weighs 14.54 carats, compared with the 14.62 carat of the Oppenheimer Blue which was sold for CHF 57M including premium by Christie's on May 18, 2016.
The Blue Moon that became after its sale the Blue Moon of Josephine is also a Type IIb. Sold for CHF 49M including premium by Sotheby's on November 11, 2015, this diamond weighing 12.03 carats owes its culminating value at US $ 4M per carat to an absolute purity generating a sensational effect of phosphorescence after exposure to ultraviolet rays.
The diamond that comes in the next sale is pear shaped. Someone had the idea to choose a pink diamond of comparable cut and size. The two gems hanging each to a suite of two white diamonds thus constitutes temporarily the most sumptuous pair of earrings of all time. They are named Apollo and Artemis by reference to the beautiful twins of Greek mythology.
Nevertheless this pair will be divided. Artemis is estimated CHF 12.5M, lot 378. It is a Fancy intense pink Type IIa and VVS2 clarity weighing 16.00 carats. The market generally prefers a Fancy vivid pink. Of the same Type, clarity and form, a Fancy vivid pink weighing 15.38 carats was sold for CHF 31M including premium by Sotheby's on May 17, 2016.
Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's :
RESULTS INCLUDING PREMIUM :
Blue : CHF 42M
Pink : CHF 15.3M
The breathtaking Apollo and Artemis #Diamonds lead our Magnificent Jewels & Noble Jewels sale in #Geneva this spring https://t.co/uJ1tcXugGg pic.twitter.com/hW0pbkPf7D
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) April 10, 2017
2021 The De Beers Blue
2022 SOLD for HK$ 450M by Sotheby's
The De Beers Blue, a fancy vivid blue weighing 15.10 carats, is the largest vivid blue made available at auction and the largest internally flawless step cut diamond graded by the GIA. Its stone of about 40 carats has been extracted in 2021 by De Beers in their Cullinan mine.
It is bigger and clearer than the rectangular cut VVS1 14.62 carat Oppenheimer Blue, sold for CHF 57M by Christie's on May 18, 2016. It has the same internally flawless clarity as the cushion cut 12.03 carats of the Blue Moon, remarkable for its 20 second phosphorescent effect after exposure to UV light, sold for CHF 49M by Sotheby's on November 11, 2015.
The step cut, rectangular cut and emerald cut are the best suited to display the perfection of the gem, revealing any defect without pity and displaying the color in its evenly saturated beauty while optimizing the light reflection.
This masterwork of nature and craftsmanship was sold for HK$ 450M by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on April 27, 2022, lot 1800. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
It is bigger and clearer than the rectangular cut VVS1 14.62 carat Oppenheimer Blue, sold for CHF 57M by Christie's on May 18, 2016. It has the same internally flawless clarity as the cushion cut 12.03 carats of the Blue Moon, remarkable for its 20 second phosphorescent effect after exposure to UV light, sold for CHF 49M by Sotheby's on November 11, 2015.
The step cut, rectangular cut and emerald cut are the best suited to display the perfection of the gem, revealing any defect without pity and displaying the color in its evenly saturated beauty while optimizing the light reflection.
This masterwork of nature and craftsmanship was sold for HK$ 450M by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on April 27, 2022, lot 1800. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
