Lilian Raji gives advice to designers on how to make the most of great publicity opportunities.
Historic 6-Carat ‘Farnese Blue’ Diamond Sells for $6.7M
The pear-shaped fancy dark gray-blue diamond was passed down through generations of European royals.
Geneva--A diamond passed down through generations of European royals now belongs to one anonymous buyer who paid $6.7 million for it.
The 6.16-carat “Farnese Blue” diamond was known only to the families who possessed it for centuries until it popped up at auction, a highlight of Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale held Tuesday in Geneva.
The stone went for well above its pre-sale estimate of $3.7 million to $5.3 million
The pear shaped fancy dark gray-blue diamond was found in the Golconda mines of India, which also produced the famous Hope and Wittelsbach-Graff diamonds.
The stone was given to Elisabeth Farnese, Queen of Spain (1692-1766) and descendant of Pope Paul III, following her wedding to King Philip V of Spain, grandson of Louis XIV, King of France.
Because the wedding was held in 1714, after the War of the Spanish Succession had depleted the country’s finances, the Spanish government demanded its colonies send wedding presents to Madrid.
In August 1715, the so-called Golden Fleet sailed from Cuba: 12 ships carrying gold bullion and emeralds. After only 10 days of sailing, a hurricane in the Florida gulf destroyed all but one ship.
The emeralds were thought to be lost, but one diamond made its way to Spain—a pear-shaped blue diamond, gifted to the new Spanish queen by the governor of the Philippine Islands.
For the next 300 hundred years, as Elisabeth and Philip of Spain’s descendants married, the stone was passed down through four of the most important royal families in Spain, France, Italy and Austria.
In the early 1800s, one of the Farnese Blue’s owners had a tie-pin setting created for the diamond, and another mounted it on a diadem worn by his mother.
The Farnese Blue even has a written record of its journey, thanks to a detailed inventory of family jewelry compiled by Maria Anna von Habsburg (1882-1940), Archduchess of Austria.
Tuesday’s Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels auction totaled $85.7 million.
Though the Farnese Blue might’ve received the most attention, it actually wasn’t the sale’s top lot.
That honor went to the round brilliant 51.71-carat Type IIa, D color flawless diamond seen above, which sold for $9.3 million.
The No. 2 lot, finishing just ahead of the Farnese Blue, was an oval-shaped 50.39-carat Type IIa, D color flawless diamond.
Both diamonds were discovered in Botswana, according to Sotheby’s.
The Latest
The mining company wants to divest its 70 percent holding in the Mothae Diamond Mine in an effort to streamline its portfolio.
Why do so many jewelers keep lines that are not selling? Peter Smith thinks the answer lies in these two behavioral principles.
Despite the rising prices, consumers continue to seek out the precious metal.
The “Argyle Phoenix” sold for more than $4 million at the auction house’s second jewels sale.
The annual list recognizes young professionals making an impact in jewelry retail.
Owner David Mann is heading into retirement.
Tradeshow risks are real. Get tips to protect yourself before, during and after and gain safety and security awareness for your business.
While overall sales were sluggish, the retailer said its non-bridal fine jewelry was a popular choice for Valentine’s Day.
The mining giant also wants to offload its platinum business as part of an overhaul designed to “unlock significant value.”
Christie's is selling one of the diamonds, moving forward with its Geneva jewelry auction despite the cyberattack that took down its website.
The ad aims to position platinum jewelry as ideal for everyday wear.
Retailers can customize and print the appraisal brochures from their store.
The move follows a price-drop test run in Q4 and comes with the addition of a “quality assurance card” from GIA for some loose diamonds.
The site has been down since Thursday evening, just ahead of its spring auctions.
The late former U.S. Secretary’s collection went for quadruple the sale’s pre-sale estimate.
Three fifth graders’ winning designs were turned into custom jewelry pieces in time for Mother’s Day.
Kimberly Adams Russell is taking over the role from her father, David Adams, marking the third generation to hold the title.
As a token of womanhood, this necklace depicts when Venus was born from the sea.
The deal gives the retailer control over the distribution of Roberto Coin jewelry in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Central America.
Show your mother some love with a piece of fine jewelry.
The company’s Easton location will remain open.
Brian D. Fleming of Carla Corporation was elected to serve a one-year term in the role.
Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
Tobak, author of “Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History,” shares how the exhibition came to be, and the pieces people may be surprised to see.
Stars adorned themselves in emeralds, platinum, and myriad bird motifs, writes Associate Editor Natalie Francisco.
M.S. Rau is set to open a seasonal gallery in the high-end resort town early next month.