Golconda diamond sells for $3.5 million
November, 2010 – A private buyer bought a huge pear-shaped diamond from the legendary Golconda mines of India for $3.48 million at auction in Geneva on November 17, within its pre-sale estimate of $3-5 million.
“The top lot was an antique pear-shaped D, internally flawless, type IIa Golconda diamond of 26.17 cts that sold for $3,483,213 ($133,000 per ct),” said Jean-Marc Lunel, Head of the Jewellery Department, Christie’s Geneva.
“As always, the best quality jewels were keenly competed for and diamond prices maintained healthy levels as seen at sales worldwide.”
The Golconda diamond, which is internally flawless and retains its antique cut, was the star lot of Christie’s Geneva sale. It weighs 26.17 carats and is suspended from a long diamond chain necklace mounted in platinum.
The Golconda mines, depleted in the mid-18th century, produced diamonds including the Koh-I-Noor, now part of Britain’s crown jewels, the Agra and the Hope, according to the auction house.
