Christie’s Geneva sale nets world record price for any sapphire
GENEVA, November 15, 2014 – Christie’s Geneva sale of Magnificent Jewels on November 11 established a record price for any sapphire sold at auction with the sale of The Blue Belle of Asia for US$17.3 million.
Christie’s Geneva sale of Magnificent Jewels achieved US$150.2 million, selling 89% by lot and 94% by value, realising the highest total for any Magnificent Jewels sale in the world.
This result, combined with the Patek Philippe 175 and the Important Watches sale, concludes Christie’s 2014 autumn sale week with a grand total of US$185.0 million, the highest total since the first Christie’s auction in Geneva in 1969.
A private collector bought The Blue Belle of Asia, a cushion-shaped Ceylon sapphire of 392.52 carats – now the most valuable sapphire in the world.
Laurence Graff purchased a pair of coloured diamond ear pendants set with a pear-shaped fancy vivid blue SI2 diamond of 6.95 cts and a pear-shaped fancy vivid pink VS2 diamond of 6.79 cts, for US$15.8 million.
Other highlights included the JAR “Parrot Tulip” bangle bracelet, which realised US$3.59 million, and established the second highest price for a creation by JAR.
Jewels from major collections also realised exceptional prices such as the Art Deco natural pearl and diamond necklace from the private collection of the Baroness Edouard de Rothschild which sold for US$5.19 million.
