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
CrimeNov 20, 2024
Sotheby’s to Pay $6.25M Settlement to NY State for Alleged Tax FraudThe auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
Kering Debuts New Jewelry Award With Sustainability FocusThe four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.
CollectionsNov 20, 2024
Pamela Love Channels Surrealist Artists in New CollectionThe “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2024
Columbia Gem House Raises $10K for Reforestation EffortsThe money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.
Weekly QuizNov 14, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Opens Registration, Scholarship ApplicationsThe event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.
CrimeNov 19, 2024
Woman Killed in Armed Robbery of Sacramento Jewelry StoreLocal reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYCThis fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
MajorsNov 19, 2024
Trove Opens First US Flagship in NYCThe Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.
CollectionsNov 19, 2024
Snoop Dogg’s New Jewelry Collection Is All About Love“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.
EditorsNov 18, 2024
Q&A: Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton on the Jeweler’s RebrandHampton discussed how Helzberg is improving the customer experience and why it was inspired by the company formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts.
Policies & IssuesNov 18, 2024
Reciprocity Jewels Returns to NYC Jewelry WeekThe group will host several curated events and an exhibition of designer jewelry made with Peruvian gold traceable to the miners’ names.
CollectionsNov 18, 2024
Dolly Parton Shines in Collaboration with Kendra ScottThe collection honors the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s “Love is Like a Butterfly” song, which shares a birth year with Kendra Scott.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2024
IGI Jewelry Design Competition ReturnsThis year’s theme asks designers to take inspiration from classic fairy tales.
EditorsNov 15, 2024
Why Fine Jewelry Belongs at New York Comic ConSenior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.
CollectionsNov 15, 2024
Marie Lichtenberg Battles Counterfeits with New ‘Raiz’in Scapular’ DesignsThe latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.
WatchesNov 15, 2024
Piece of the Week: Citizen’s Commemorative Pocket WatchNo. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.
Recorded WebinarsNov 15, 2024
Watch: 10 Tips to Keep Your Jewelry Store Secure On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” two experts share best practices for store security during the holidays and year-round.
MajorsNov 14, 2024
Saks Fifth Avenue Cancels Holiday Light DisplayInstead of its usual elaborate display, the store will illuminate its façade and frame the windows to highlight its flagship’s architecture.
WatchesNov 14, 2024
Grand Seiko Partners With Ben Bridge on First Hawaii Store The new Grand Seiko boutique is located in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood.
SourcingNov 13, 2024
Gem Legacy Adventures Announces 2025 Trip Eleven spots are available for travelers to visit Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya from July 25 to Aug. 4.
AuctionsNov 13, 2024
Aga Khan Emerald Sells for $8.8M, Sets RecordThe emerald brooch-turned-pendant returned to auction after 55 years, setting a world record for most expensive emerald sold at auction.
AuctionsNov 13, 2024
‘Exceptional’ Burmese Ruby Ring Tops $5M at Auction Phillips also sold a 1.21-carat fancy red diamond dubbed the “Red Miracle” for more than $1 million at its jewelry auction in Geneva.
MajorsNov 13, 2024
Ariana Grande, Anya Taylor-Joy Star in Holiday Jewelry CampaignsFrom Swarovski to Tiffany & Co., jewelry retailers are enlisting celebrities to highlight their holiday offerings.
MajorsNov 13, 2024
Royal Chain’s New Catalog Is Out NowThe 2024-2025 book introduces hundreds of new designs.
FinancialsNov 12, 2024
Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels Continue to Shine for Richemont Richemont’s jewelry sales ticked up 2 percent in the first half of the year, while watch sales plummeted 17 percent.
GradingNov 12, 2024
GIA’s Next-Day Services Return for the HolidaysOffered by the lab since 2016, the holiday season special is good from now through mid-December.
