Sotheby’s broke a new record for earrings at auction. At the Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale, that took place in Geneva on May 16th, the ‘Apollo Blue’ and the ‘Artemis Pink’ diamonds became the most valuable earrings ever sold at auction, realising a combined total of $57 million.
The two diamonds were purchased by the same anonymous buyer, and they will be kept together as earrings.
The sale of these two diamonds led an extraordinary session, with 90% of lots sold for a total in value of $151 million, 3 lots sold for over $10 million and 5 lots sold for over $5 million and, last but not the least, two thirds of lots sold above high estimate (find here all the detailed results for Sessions 1&2 and Session 3 of the sale).
The sale also set an auction record price per carat for a Fancy Intense Purplish Pink 7.04 carat diamond by Piaget, that achieved $13 million – $1,8 million per carat (video).
Othernotable auction results
A Gems and jewels from a superb private collection group of lots, a collection of the finest diamonds and gemstones, as well as signed jewels from the most sought-after Jewellery Houses, doubled the pre-sale estimate to realise a total of $15,9 million, achieving an outstanding sell-through rate of 96%. Among these lots are the following:
A pear-shaped diamond ring, weighing 32.42 carats by Harry Winston which doubled its low estimate to realise $3,3 million:
An emerald and diamond ring by Harry Winston achieved five times its estimate selling for $929,465:
Ruby and diamond brooch and ear clips by Van Cleef & Arpels which sold for a combined total of $477,551:
Further more, a ruby, diamond and onyx bracelet signed Lacloche, dated circa 1925, soared above estimate to achieve $748,498:
And a jadeite, onyx, ruby and diamond pendant/brooch by Cartier (circa 1925) was sold for $374,500 – more than double the high estimate. From the ‘golden era’ of Cartier, this pendant/brooch was formerly in the collection of Mona, Countess von Bismarck (1897-1983):
As a personal highlight, here is this 3.32 carat important Fancy Vivid Blue diamond ring, that sold for $6,8 million:
Commenting on the sales’ results, David Bennet, Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby’s International Jewellery Division and Chairman of Switzerland, said: “It has been a privilege for Sotheby’s to be entrusted with the superb ‘Apollo Blue’ and ‘Artemis Pink’ (…). The results from today’s sale – which saw more than 90 per cent of lots sold and three new world auction records – yet again underline the strong demand for top quality diamonds, gemstones and jewels. I am delighted that the stones will remain together as earrings. This has been a wonderful inaugural jewellery sale at Mandarin Oriental, Geneva which far exceeded expectations, with a total of over $150 million, We are greatly looking forward to the upcoming auction of Fine Jewels at Sotheby’s rue Diday in Geneva on the 1st of June.”CC
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