AuctionsSep 13, 2023
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‘Bleu Royal’ Diamond to Fetch $35M-$50M at Auction
The 17.61-carat stone leads Christie’s “Magnificent Jewels” sale in Geneva this November.
Mounted in a ring, the Bleu Royal diamond is the largest internally flawless fancy vivid blue diamond to ever appear at auction, Christie’s said.
New York—After canceling the final installment of a controversial sale, Christie’s is looking to get its autumn agenda back on track with a special stone.
The auction house has announced the leading lot of its Geneva “Magnificent Jewels” jewelry auction, the 17.61-carat “Bleu Royal” diamond.
The stone is the largest internally flawless fancy vivid blue diamond to ever appear at auction, Christie’s said.
The pear-shaped stone has been part of a private collection for 50 years. The Christie’s Geneva sale will mark its first auction appearance.
“This is a true miracle of nature,” Christie’s International Head of Jewelry Rahul Kadakia said.
“Over our 257-year-long history Christie’s has had the privilege of offering the world’s rarest gems at auction, and Blue Royal continues this tradition. We are proud to offer collectors the opportunity to own a diamond fit for royalty.”
Christie’s estimates the Bleu Royal will sell for $35 million-$50 million.
Noting the rarity of fancy vivid blue diamonds weighing over 10 carats, the auctioneer said only three such stones have appeared at Christie’s sales.
There was the 14.62-carat “Oppenheimer Blue” that sold for $57.5 million in 2016, the 13.22-carat “Winston Blue” that sold for $23.8 million in 2014, and the 10.95-carat “Bulgari Blue,” which sold for $15.8 million in 2010.
The Oppenheimer Blue holds the record for most expensive blue diamond sold at auction, usurping the 12.03-carat “Blue Moon of Josephine” sold at Sotheby’s for $48.4 million in 2015.
It also is the second most expensive jewel ever sold at auction, topped only by the $71.2 million sale of the pink diamond dubbed the “Pink Star.”
Sotheby’s has its own blue diamond up for sale this fall, a 11.28-carat fancy vivid blue diamond called the “Infinite Blue.”
It’s estimated to sell for up to $37 million when it’s offered at a single-lot sale in Hong Kong in October.
Christie’s Geneva’s Magnificent Jewels sale is scheduled for Nov. 7.
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