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A buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
The “Mellon Blue” diamond, which achieved $32.6 million at Sotheby’s in 2014, sold for $25.6 million (approximately $2.7 million per carat) on Tuesday at Christie’s.
Geneva—A nearly 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond sold for $25.6 million at Christie’s recent Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva, landing within its estimated range but garnering less than it did a decade ago.
The 9.51-carat “Mellon Blue” diamond landed squarely in the middle of its estimated range of $20 million-$30 million, with even its highest estimate falling short of the record-setting $32.6 million the diamond garnered when it came to auction at Sotheby’s in 2014.
While the diamond failed to top its previous auction price, Christie’s said the Mellon Blue is the most expensive jewel it has sold so far this year.
It also set a record for the third highest price paid for a fancy vivid diamond sold at Christie’s, topped by the 14.62-carat “Oppenheimer Blue,” which sold for $57.5 million (approx. $3.4 million per carat) in 2016, and the 17.61-carat “The Bleu Royal,” which sold for $44 million (approx. $2.5 million per carat) in 2023.
The blue diamond once belonged to the late American horticulturalist, philanthropist, and art collector Rachel “Bunny” Lambert Mellon.
The gem has not been seen publicly since the 2014 Sotheby’s sale of her property, where it set two records when it sold for $32.6 million—price paid for a blue diamond and price per-carat for any diamond.
“It was a true honor to offer for sale the exquisite Mellon Blue Diamond here at Christie’s Geneva. It was another notable moment for Christie’s Luxury, evidencing the elite appetite amongst collectors for extraordinary and storied gems,” said Rahul Kadakia, president of Christie’s Asia Pacific and chairman of the Global Luxury Group.
More than 100 jewels were offered at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction, which achieved a total of $75.6 million.
It took place along with the Rare Watches sale on Nov. 11 at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Gevena.
Other highlights from the jewelry auction included a collection of 300-plus loose natural colored diamonds known as “The Rainbow Collection,” which sold within its estimate for $2.2 million.
From a collection of jewels by JAR, a diamond ring centering an 8.68-carat fancy purplish-pink diamond also sold within its estimate, fetching $3.1 million.
A ruby and diamond brooch that Helena Violet Alice (née Fraser), Third Countess of Stradbroke (1874-1949), wore to the 1902 Coronation of Edward VII sold for $2.8 million, above its high-end estimate of $2 million.
“This season’s Geneva Luxury Week reflects a market defined by confidence and discernment,” said Max Fawcett, Christie’s newly appointed global head of jewelry.
“The results to date speak to the enduring allure of jewels distinguished by exceptional provenance and rarity. Attractive estimates and a curated collection drove competitive bidding across platforms, reaffirming collectors' appetite for rarity, quality, and craftsmanship.”
The 9.51-carat “Mellon Blue” diamond landed squarely in the middle of its estimated range of $20 million-$30 million, with even its highest estimate falling short of the record-setting $32.6 million the diamond garnered when it came to auction at Sotheby’s in 2014.
While the diamond failed to top its previous auction price, Christie’s said the Mellon Blue is the most expensive jewel it has sold so far this year.
It also set a record for the third highest price paid for a fancy vivid diamond sold at Christie’s, topped by the 14.62-carat “Oppenheimer Blue,” which sold for $57.5 million (approx. $3.4 million per carat) in 2016, and the 17.61-carat “The Bleu Royal,” which sold for $44 million (approx. $2.5 million per carat) in 2023.
The blue diamond once belonged to the late American horticulturalist, philanthropist, and art collector Rachel “Bunny” Lambert Mellon.
The gem has not been seen publicly since the 2014 Sotheby’s sale of her property, where it set two records when it sold for $32.6 million—price paid for a blue diamond and price per-carat for any diamond.
“It was a true honor to offer for sale the exquisite Mellon Blue Diamond here at Christie’s Geneva. It was another notable moment for Christie’s Luxury, evidencing the elite appetite amongst collectors for extraordinary and storied gems,” said Rahul Kadakia, president of Christie’s Asia Pacific and chairman of the Global Luxury Group.
More than 100 jewels were offered at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction, which achieved a total of $75.6 million.
It took place along with the Rare Watches sale on Nov. 11 at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Gevena.
Other highlights from the jewelry auction included a collection of 300-plus loose natural colored diamonds known as “The Rainbow Collection,” which sold within its estimate for $2.2 million.
From a collection of jewels by JAR, a diamond ring centering an 8.68-carat fancy purplish-pink diamond also sold within its estimate, fetching $3.1 million.
A ruby and diamond brooch that Helena Violet Alice (née Fraser), Third Countess of Stradbroke (1874-1949), wore to the 1902 Coronation of Edward VII sold for $2.8 million, above its high-end estimate of $2 million.
“This season’s Geneva Luxury Week reflects a market defined by confidence and discernment,” said Max Fawcett, Christie’s newly appointed global head of jewelry.
“The results to date speak to the enduring allure of jewels distinguished by exceptional provenance and rarity. Attractive estimates and a curated collection drove competitive bidding across platforms, reaffirming collectors' appetite for rarity, quality, and craftsmanship.”
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