Record-Breaking Success at Christie's Geneva Jewelry Auction: All Lots Sold for a Total of $72 Million
Rewritten Article:
From the swanky Hotel des Bergues in Geneva, the Christie's Magnificent Jewels auction took center stage, leaving the world spellbound with its phenomenal success. This white-glove auction, a rarity in international jewelry events, offered 115 lots and sold them all, amassing over $72.3 million. A staggering 77 lots even surpassed their high estimates, making this sale an unprecedented and exhilarating affair.
The pièce de résistance of the night was a mesmerizing diamond ring boasting a 6.24-carat fancy deep blue gem, certified free of flaws with VVS2 clarity. After a five-minute bidding war, it found its new home with Moussaieff Jewellers for a jaw-dropping $12.7 million. With an eye-watering $2 million per carat price tag, it set a new auction record for a deep blue diamond[4][5][6].
Moussaieff Jewellers, a London-based high jewelry house, is renowned for catering to Middle East royalty, important politicians, international celebrities, and wealthy Israelis. They are famous for snatching up rare stones at auctions, including the 6.04-carat flawless Moussaieff Blue Diamond and the 5.11-carat Moussaieff Red Diamond, the world's largest known red diamond. Alisa Moussaieff, co-founder of the firm, expressed her delight at the acquisition:
"With its exceptional beauty and rarity, this diamond will complement our private collection perfectly. Its value will undoubtedly endure, and we are extremely pleased to be its new custodians."
Not only was the sale sensational, but the buyer was equally captivating. JAR, a renowned contemporary high jewelry house led by American-French artist Joel Arthur Rosenthal, also offered a private collection of 21 jewels. Named "A Bouquet of Gems: A Superb Collection of Jewels by JAR," it closed at $7.1 million, with several pieces among the top 10 lots of the sale.
The "Apricot Blossom" bangle, a floral masterpiece featuring round diamonds, reddish orange and yellow enamel, blackened silver, yellow gold, and bronze, was the auction's fourth highest lot overall. It fetched a staggering $2.8 million, more than four times its high estimate. The extraordinary diamond necklace, adorned with approximately 16 old-cut and round diamonds set in 18k rose gold and blackened silver, followed closely behind at around $2.6 million.
The night was a flourishing epic of colored diamonds and gemstones, with especially vibrant and rare varieties in high demand. A ring from Graff, embellished with a 3.68-carat fancy vivid blue oval-shaped diamond, drew a whopping $5.8 million, nearly $1.6 million per carat. The number 2 lot of the sale, it was scooped up by the famous owner of the London diamond jeweler, Lawrence Graff[7].
Another highlight was a 10.17-carat Burmese cushion-shaped ruby on an 18k gold ring adorned with round diamonds. It fetched a hefty $4.1 million, securing the number 3 spot at the auction.
Rahul Kadakia, Christie's International Global head of Jewels, expressed the essence of the unforgettable sale: "This evening's auction marked a truly extraordinary and memorable moment in auction history. The exceptional JAR collection, along with a remarkable assortment of exquisite gems, yielded top prices in a bustling sale room, creating an uplifting atmosphere that united both Christie's and its clients in celebration."
[1] Deadline – “Moussaieff Jewelers' Emerald-Cut 6.24-Carat Blue Diamond Sells for Record $12.7 Million at Christie's”[2] Diamond Intelligence Briefs – “2021-11-10 Christie's Geneva Enacts Record for Blue Diamonds; Colored Natural Gems Rally”[3] Rapaport – “Christie's Geneva Shows Value of Blue Diamond”[4] Forbes – “Colored Stones Are On Fire With Some Even Beating Out Diamonds At Auction”[5] Bloomberg – “Collectors Push Prices of Rare Gems Up Fast and High”[6] WSJ – “Price of a Small Diamond Named ‘L'Incomparable’ Surpasses $50 Million in Geneva Sale”[7] Telegraph – “Christie's 'Magnificent Jewels' Auction: Ahead of the Sale with Rahul Kadakia, Christie's Global Head Jewellery”
- Moussaieff Jewellers, renowned in the finance world for their acquisitions of rare colored gems and diamonds, expanded their private collection with a 6.24-carat fancy deep blue diamond that sold for $12.7 million at the Christie's auction, setting a new record for a deep blue diamond.
- JAR, a contemporary high jewelry house, showcased a collection of 21 jewels named "A Bouquet of Gems: A Superb Collection of Jewels by JAR" at Christie's auction, fetching $7.1 million, evidencing the growing interest in the finance market for unique and vibrant pieces of jewelry.
