The largest blue-green diamond ever sold also became the most expensive when it fetched a world record for a stone of its hue at Christie’s in Geneva, bringing in CHF 13.6 million ($17.4 million).
The stone, called the Ocean Dream, is a triangular-cut, 5.50-carat, fancy-vivid-blue-green type IIa diamond, which originated from an 11.70-carat rough discovered in Central Africa in the 1990s. Set in a ring, the piece generated “intense bidding” for 20 minutes, soaring past its CHF 10 million ($12.8 million) high estimate. In total, the May 13 Magnificent Jewels sale fetched CHF 51.9 million ($66.5 million), the auction house said Wednesday.
Of the 87 lots on offer at the auction, 84% sold above their high estimates, with 13 realizing over $1 million. About 40% of participants at the sale hailed from Europe, while 27% came from the Americas and 28% from Asia Pacific.
Here are the rest of the top 10 pieces:
Estimate: CHF 800,000 to CHF 1.2 million ($1 million to $1.5 million)
A necklace featuring two strands of graduated natural pearls and old- and baguette-cut diamonds, created around 1920.
Estimate: CHF 1.6 million to 2 million ($2 million to $2.6 million)
A Chaumet ring with a cushion-shaped, 22.28-carat, royal-blue Kashmir sapphire.
Estimate: CHF 600,000 to CHF 1.1 million ($766,805 to $1.4 million)
From Harry Winston, this ring contains an oval-shaped, 76.39-carat cabochon Burmese sapphire with nine pear-shaped diamonds ranging from 1.05 to 1.15 carats.
Estimate: CHF 200,000 to CHF 300,000 ($255,617 to $383,422)
Made in the early 20th century, this ring centers a cushion brilliant-cut, 8.56-carat, fancy-vivid-orange-yellow, VS2-clarity diamond with old- and single-cut and round diamonds.
Estimate: CHF 650,000 to CHF 950,000 ($830,774 to $1.2 million)
Attributed to design house Fred, this necklace has cushion rectangular modified brilliant-cut, fancy-intense-yellow diamonds weighing 41.35, 6.21, 5.87 and 3.73 carats, fancy-yellow diamonds of the same cut weighing 12.30 and 11.21 carats, and additional diamonds.
Estimate: CHF 400,000 to CHF 600,000 ($511,307 to $766,805)
This Bulgari ring contains an octagonal, 9.82-carat Kashmir sapphire and diamonds.
Estimate: CHF 240,000 to 400,000 ($306,793 to $511,307)
A Boucheron Art Deco necklace, created in the 1920s, bears rubies, emeralds, onyx baguettes, and old- and single-cut diamonds. It has four detachable sections and can be worn long or as a choker and two bracelets.
Estimate: CHF 650,000 to CHF 950,000 ($830,774 to $1.2 million)
Van Cleef & Arpels made these earrings, each containing a cushion rectangular modified brilliant cut diamond — one a 19.33-carat, fancy-vivid-yellow, and the other an 18.03 carat, fancy-intense-yellow — with pear-brilliant-cut diamonds weighing 2.60, 2.11 and 2.09 carats.
Estimate: CHF 480,000 to CHF 630,000 ($613,623 to $805,379)
From Cartier, this Tutti Frutti clip brooch features carved emerald, emerald and sapphire beads, cabochon and oval-shaped sapphires, cabochon rubies, and round and single-cut diamonds.
Main image: The Ocean Dream blue-green diamond. (Christie’s)
