AuctionsNov 07, 2023
Barbara Walters’ Fine Jewelry a White-Glove Sale at Bonhams AuctionsNov 08, 2023
‘Bleu Royal’ Takes Crown as Top Auction Jewel of 2023
A buyer paid $44 million for the 17.61-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
A buyer whose identity has not been disclosed paid $44 million for the 17.61-carat fancy vivid blue “Bleu Royal” diamond at Christie’s Geneva Tuesday. The pear-shaped diamond had been part of a private collection for 50 years; Tuesday marked its first appearance at auction.
Geneva—Christie’s Geneva jewelry auction garnered $77.7 million Tuesday, with a single diamond accounting for more than half the sale’s total and becoming the most expensive jewel sold at auction so far this year.
The 17.61-carat fancy vivid, internally flawless “Bleu Royal” diamond sold for $44 million (or $2.5 million per carat), in the middle of its pre-sale estimated range of $35 million to $50 million.
The pear-shaped Bleu Royal was the largest IF fancy vivid blue diamond ever to come to auction, and it is one of only three fancy vivid blues weighing more than 10 carats ever to appear at a Christie’s sale.
The auction house said bidding took seven minutes.
A buyer whose identity has not been disclosed ultimately snapped up the stone, which is set in a platinum ring and flanked by D, IF pear brilliant-cut diamonds weighing 3.12 carats and 3.07 carats.
Related stories will be right here …
The 17.61-carat fancy vivid, internally flawless “Bleu Royal” diamond sold for $44 million (or $2.5 million per carat), in the middle of its pre-sale estimated range of $35 million to $50 million.
The pear-shaped Bleu Royal was the largest IF fancy vivid blue diamond ever to come to auction, and it is one of only three fancy vivid blues weighing more than 10 carats ever to appear at a Christie’s sale.
The auction house said bidding took seven minutes.
A buyer whose identity has not been disclosed ultimately snapped up the stone, which is set in a platinum ring and flanked by D, IF pear brilliant-cut diamonds weighing 3.12 carats and 3.07 carats.
The Bleu Royal was the top lot of Christie’s Geneva “Magnificent Jewels” auction, which was 93 percent sold by lot.
Another natural color diamond, an 8.77-carat fancy intense pink diamond, was the sale’s second highest-grossing lot, though it came in well behind the Bleu Royal at $5.2 million.
Other highlights of the jewelry auction include an unheated 21.88-carat Burmese ruby set in an 18-karat gold ring with baguette-cut diamonds ($2.6 million) that is attributed to Harry Winston; a diamond and platinum ring by Graff featuring a 36.45-carat rectangular-shaped unheated Burmese sapphire ($1.6 million); and a pair of Art Deco earrings featuring carved emeralds, onyx and diamonds signed by Cartier circa 1925 ($769,143).
The Magnificent Jewels sale was part of Christie’s fall “Luxury Week” in Geneva, which also included two live watch sales held Monday, “Passion for Time” and “Rare Watches.”
Those sales totaled $62 million, pushing Christie’s Luxury Week total to nearly $140 million.
The top lots of the watch auctions included the Grande & Petite Sonnerie No.1 by Philippe Dufour ($5.7 million), which took two-and-a-half years to make, and the Rolex Ref. 1675 GMT Master Marlon Brando wore in “Apocalypse Now” ($5.1 million).
Christie’s “Jewels Online: The Geneva Edit” sale continues now through Nov. 16 and includes the pearl choker Audrey Hepburn donned in “Roman Holiday.”
Those sales totaled $62 million, pushing Christie’s Luxury Week total to nearly $140 million.
The top lots of the watch auctions included the Grande & Petite Sonnerie No.1 by Philippe Dufour ($5.7 million), which took two-and-a-half years to make, and the Rolex Ref. 1675 GMT Master Marlon Brando wore in “Apocalypse Now” ($5.1 million).
Christie’s “Jewels Online: The Geneva Edit” sale continues now through Nov. 16 and includes the pearl choker Audrey Hepburn donned in “Roman Holiday.”
More on Auctions
The Latest
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
