Geneva is the world’s capital of exquisite jewellery and expensive watches. Two white diamonds that are both over 50-carats were sold for a combined total of CHF 17.4m (US$17.4m) at Sotheby’s auction in Geneva.
The two very impressive diamonds were a 51.71-carat round diamond and a 50.39-carat oval diamond which were both sold above their high estimates of CHF 9.26m and CHF 8.13m. Both stones are considered perfect in all critical criterias, with D-colour (the most coveted hue for white diamonds) and Flawless clarity. On top of that, their cut, polish, symmetry are all graded Excellent, with no fluorescence at all. The round diamond was sold for CHF 9.26m (US$9.25m) with premium.
The price with premium for the oval diamond is CHF 8.13m (US$8.12m). The only downside to the diamonds is that they can only be made into rings due to their shapes. However, wouldn’t a 50-carat ring look slightly overwhelming?
Ranking in number 3 is a 6.16-carat fancy dark grey-blue diamond – The Farnese Blue. The stone was given to Elisabeth Farnese, Queen of Spain (1683-1746) as a wedding present in 1715 when she married Philip V of Spain. It soared to over CHF 6.7m (US$6.7m), well above its estimate of CHF 3.5m - 5m.
The colour of the stone is Fancy Dark and its clarity is SI1 (Slightly Included 1). Counting down from the Flawless grade, SI1 is the first grade which indicates that we can detect flaws in the diamond with our naked eyes. In terms of polish, it belongs to Good while its symmetry is Fair, only one grade above Poor.
Top 3 Lots
Exceptional Diamond Ring
Lot no.: 373
GIA report no.: 2185745311
Carat weight: 51.71-carats
Colour: D
Clarity: Flawless
Cut: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Estimate: CHF 7,870,000 - 9,100,000
Price: CHF 9,260,000
Magnificient Diamond Ring
Lot no.: 350
GIA report no.: 2195126527
Carat weight: 50.39-carats
Colour: D
Clarity: Flawless
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Estimate: CHF 6,960,000 - 7,680,000
Price: CHF 8,131,000
The Farnese Blue: A Fancy Dark Grey-blue Diamond
Lot no.: 377
GIA report no.: 5181115824
Carat weight: 6.16-carats
Colour: Fancy Dark
Clarity: SI1 (Slightly Included 1)
Polish: Good
Symmetry: Fair
Fluorescence: None
Estimate: CHF 3,500,000 - 5,000,000
Price: CHF 6,719,750
Auction Summary
Auction house: Sotheby’s Geneva
Sale: Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels
Sale date: 2018/5/15
Grand total: CHF 85,555,050