Jewels
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Pink diamond Blue diamond Jewels II
Chronology : 18th century 1790-1799 21st century 2000-2009 2003 2010-2019 2014 2020 to now 2021
See also : Pink diamond Blue diamond Jewels II
Chronology : 18th century 1790-1799 21st century 2000-2009 2003 2010-2019 2014 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 by Sotheby's
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. The next two lots, a necklace and a pair of earrings, were sold for CHF 450K each.
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 from a lower estimate of CHF 1M.
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. The next two lots, a necklace and a pair of earrings, were sold for CHF 450K each.
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 from a lower estimate of CHF 1M.
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
natural wonder
1905 the Cullinan
British Royal collection
The Cullinan mine was discovered in 1902. In 1905 a miner unearthed a type IIa historic gem weighing 3,106 carats that remains unique by its weight and quality.
Two famous white diamonds belonging to the British Royal Collection were extracted from the "Cullinan": the Great Star of Africa mounted on the scepter and the Second Star of Africa mounted on the crown. The 530-carat Great Star of Africa is the largest faceted colorless diamond in the world.
An image of the rough Cullinan diamond is shared by Wikimedia.
Two famous white diamonds belonging to the British Royal Collection were extracted from the "Cullinan": the Great Star of Africa mounted on the scepter and the Second Star of Africa mounted on the crown. The 530-carat Great Star of Africa is the largest faceted colorless diamond in the world.
An image of the rough Cullinan diamond is shared by Wikimedia.
fancy vivid pink diamond
1
1999-2003 The Pink Star
2013 hammered at CHF 76M including premium by Sotheby's, UNPAID
2017 SOLD for HK$ 550M by Sotheby's
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 that sale was cancelled for buyer payment deficiency.
It had been expected beyond US $ 60M, a conservative estimate when we consider that it is "only" US$ 1M per carat, but nevertheless ambitious because no other diamond has ever reached such a price at auction.
Its come back was eagerly awaited by all the fans of highest jewelry and of auction history. It was sold for HK $ 550M by Sotheby's on April 4, 2017, lot 1801. Its expected value has been kept unchanged before from the 2013 auction.
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. The fancy vivid pink weighing more than 10 carats are extremely rare.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.
Please watch the videos shared by Sotheby's : the 2013 pre sale video and the short video introducing the 2017 auction.
It had been expected beyond US $ 60M, a conservative estimate when we consider that it is "only" US$ 1M per carat, but nevertheless ambitious because no other diamond has ever reached such a price at auction.
Its come back was eagerly awaited by all the fans of highest jewelry and of auction history. It was sold for HK $ 550M by Sotheby's on April 4, 2017, lot 1801. Its expected value has been kept unchanged before from the 2013 auction.
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. The fancy vivid pink weighing more than 10 carats are extremely rare.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.
Please watch the videos shared by Sotheby's : the 2013 pre sale video and the short video introducing the 2017 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 $60 million at auction: https://t.co/JsYfyHq5H8 pic.twitter.com/mLNLyhUhBY
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 20, 2017
2
The Williamson Pink Star
2022 SOLD for HK$ 450M by Sotheby's
The open pit Williamson diamond mine was discovered in 1940 in Tanganyika, later Tanzania, by its namesake first owner. Locally known as the Mwadui mine, it is one of the best diamond mines outside of South Africa.
The Williamson is famous for its high quality pink diamonds. A virtually flawless pink cut down to 23.6 carats was presented in 1947 by Williamson to Princess Elizabeth at her wedding with Prince Philip. Assembled by Cartier as the centre of a jonquil shaped brooch, it was frequently pinned on Her Majesty's coat.
On October 7, 2022, Sotheby's sold for HK $ 450M the Williamson Pink Star, lot 1115, which is $ 5M per carat. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Strongly saturated, it is referred by the auction house as one of the purest and pinkest diamonds. Weighing 11.15 carats, it is the second biggest internally flawless fancy vivid pink ever listed at auction. It was cushion cut by Diacore from a 32 carat rough diamond found at the Williamson mine.
It is assembled on a 18 karat white and pink gold ring in a surrounding of small pink and white diamonds.
The Williamson is famous for its high quality pink diamonds. A virtually flawless pink cut down to 23.6 carats was presented in 1947 by Williamson to Princess Elizabeth at her wedding with Prince Philip. Assembled by Cartier as the centre of a jonquil shaped brooch, it was frequently pinned on Her Majesty's coat.
On October 7, 2022, Sotheby's sold for HK $ 450M the Williamson Pink Star, lot 1115, which is $ 5M per carat. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Strongly saturated, it is referred by the auction house as one of the purest and pinkest diamonds. Weighing 11.15 carats, it is the second biggest internally flawless fancy vivid pink ever listed at auction. It was cushion cut by Diacore from a 32 carat rough diamond found at the Williamson mine.
It is assembled on a 18 karat white and pink gold ring in a surrounding of small pink and white diamonds.
One of the world’s purest pink diamonds to ever appear at auction – the 11.15ct “Williamson Pink Star”, estimated at US.$21m / HK$170m, has the potential to set a new per carat price record for a Fancy Vivid pink diamond in Hong Kong this October. https://t.co/8eLMVwQVkM pic.twitter.com/wU8oFqLJw8
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) September 2, 2022
3
The Pink Legacy
2018 SOLD for CHF 50M by Christie's
On November 13, 2018, Christie's sold the Pink Legacy for CHF 50M from a lower estimate of CHF 30M, lot 311.
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.
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.
In Fancy Vivid Pink saturation, a rectangular diamond weighing 5.18 carats whose clarity was only VS2 was sold for CHF 10M by Christie's on May 13, 2015, approaching CHF 2M per carat.
A cushion shaped potentially flawless fancy vivid pink weighing 5.00 carats, named The Vivid Pink, was sold for HK $ 84M by Christie's on December 1, 2009, corresponding to US $ 2.1M per carat, lot 2455.
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.
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.
In Fancy Vivid Pink saturation, a rectangular diamond weighing 5.18 carats whose clarity was only VS2 was sold for CHF 10M by Christie's on May 13, 2015, approaching CHF 2M per carat.
A cushion shaped potentially flawless fancy vivid pink weighing 5.00 carats, named The Vivid Pink, was sold for HK $ 84M by Christie's on December 1, 2009, corresponding to US $ 2.1M per carat, lot 2455.
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
The Graff Pink, fancy intense pink diamond
2010 SOLD for CHF 45.4M by Sotheby's
The Perfect Pink weighing 14.23 carats with a VVS2 clarity was sold for HK $ 180M by Christie's on November 29, 2010.
On November 16, 2010, Sotheby's sold for CHF 45.4M from a lower estimate of CHF 27M another fancy intense pink diamond, also of VVS2 clarity, also emerald cut, but bigger. Weighing 24.78 carats, it is mounted on a ring. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
The fancy intense pink color is highly striking in this specimen. Its emerald shape may be considered as the best cut with regard to brilliance.
This diamond was already known : 60 years earlier, it was purchased to Harry Winston. It had never come back on the market. It will be later identified as the Graff Pink.
Its 2010 price per carat is US $ 1.83M.
On November 16, 2010, Sotheby's sold for CHF 45.4M from a lower estimate of CHF 27M another fancy intense pink diamond, also of VVS2 clarity, also emerald cut, but bigger. Weighing 24.78 carats, it is mounted on a ring. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
The fancy intense pink color is highly striking in this specimen. Its emerald shape may be considered as the best cut with regard to brilliance.
This diamond was already known : 60 years earlier, it was purchased to Harry Winston. It had never come back on the market. It will be later identified as the Graff Pink.
Its 2010 price per carat is US $ 1.83M.
fancy vivid blue diamond
1
The Oppenheimer Blue
2016 SOLD for CHF 57M by Christie's
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, 2016, Christie's sold as lot 242 for CHF 57M from a lower estimate of CHF 38M the Oppenheimer Blue that had belonged to Sir Philip. Weighing 14.62 carats, it was in period the largest fancy vivid blue diamond ever offered at auction. 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, sold for CHF 49M by Sotheby's in 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, 2016, Christie's sold as lot 242 for CHF 57M from a lower estimate of CHF 38M the Oppenheimer Blue that had belonged to Sir Philip. Weighing 14.62 carats, it was in period the largest fancy vivid blue diamond ever offered at auction. 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, sold for CHF 49M by Sotheby's in 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 :
2
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 on April 27, 2022, lot 1800.
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 on April 27, 2022, lot 1800.
3
2014 the Blue Moon (of Josephine)
2015 SOLD for CHF 49M by Sotheby's
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 was sold for CHF 49M from a lower estimate of US $ 35M by Sotheby's on November 11, 2015, lot 513. Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's. Its record value at US $ 4M per carat rewards its absolute purity generating the phosphorescence effect.
It is now referred as the Blue Moon of Josephine.
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 was sold for CHF 49M from a lower estimate of US $ 35M by Sotheby's on November 11, 2015, lot 513. Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's. Its record value at US $ 4M per carat rewards its absolute purity generating the phosphorescence effect.
It is now referred as the Blue Moon of Josephine.
4
Apollo (the Memory of Autumn Leaves)
2017 SOLD for CHF 42M by Sotheby's
On May 16, 2017, Sotheby's sold for CHF 42M an exceptional blue diamond, lot 377. 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, comparable with the 14.62 carats of the Oppenheimer Blue which was sold for CHF 57M by Christie's in 2016.
This diamond 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. They are named Apollo and Artemis by reference to the beautiful twins of Greek mythology.
The pair was divided. Artemis was sold for CHF 15.3M, lot 378. It is a Fancy intense pink Type IIa and VVS2 clarity weighing 16.00 carats.
The blue Apollo is now referred as The Memory of Autumn Leaves.
Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's :
It weighs 14.54 carats, comparable with the 14.62 carats of the Oppenheimer Blue which was sold for CHF 57M by Christie's in 2016.
This diamond 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. They are named Apollo and Artemis by reference to the beautiful twins of Greek mythology.
The pair was divided. Artemis was sold for CHF 15.3M, lot 378. It is a Fancy intense pink Type IIa and VVS2 clarity weighing 16.00 carats.
The blue Apollo is now referred as The Memory of Autumn Leaves.
Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's :
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
5
Bleu Royal
2023 SOLD for CHF 39.5M by Christie's
Weighing 17.61 carats and 14.2 grams, Bleu Royal is the biggest internally flawless fancy vivid blue diamond ever listed at auction, 2.99 carats more than the VVS1 Oppenheimer Blue sold for CHF 57M by Christie's in 2016.
Pear shaped and brilliant faceted, and perfectly symmetrical, Bleu Royal belonged for half a century to a private collection. It is now fitted on a platinum and 18k rose gold ring between two D-color internally flawless diamonds of 3.12 ad 3.07 carats.
Bleu Royal was sold for CHF 39.5M by Christie's on November 7, 2023, lot 87.
Pear shaped and brilliant faceted, and perfectly symmetrical, Bleu Royal belonged for half a century to a private collection. It is now fitted on a platinum and 18k rose gold ring between two D-color internally flawless diamonds of 3.12 ad 3.07 carats.
Bleu Royal was sold for CHF 39.5M by Christie's on November 7, 2023, lot 87.
