Geneva Jewelry Auction by Christie's Total take reaches $72 million with every item finding a buyer
Rewritten Article:
Up the stakes at Christie's Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction!
Hold onto your pearls, folks, because the recent jewelry auction at Hotel des Bergues was a doozy! A white-glove sale, all lots were sold – rare in the world of international jewelry auctions. Theτα sale bagged a staggering $72.3 million with 77 lots surpassing their high estimate, yet another unheard-of feat.
The chart-topper was a ring bedecked with a 6.24-carat brilliant blue gem that went for more than $12.7 million after five minutes of frenzied bidding. Dubbed the 'Perfect Gem,' it boasts virtually no flaws, VVS2 clarity, and set a new record for a deep blue diamond, fetching over $2 million per carat. Note that Moussaieff Jewellers, a London-based high-end jewelry house catering to Middle Eastern royalty, powerful politicians, global celebrities, and affluent Israelis, was the winning bidder. Known for procuring precious stones, they've previously acquired the 6.04-carat flawless Moussaieff Blue Diamond and the 5.11-carat Moussaieff Red Diamond, the world's biggest known red diamond. Alisa Moussaieff, co-founder of the famed firm with her late husband, Shlomo Moussaieff, called it a "match made in heaven."
"Moussaieff is thrilled to bag such a dazzling blue gem, whose time has come. This enchanting diamond sets a world record price, finding a fitting space in our prized private collection," she said. "Its rarity and unparalleled beauty ensure its enduring value. Adding such a stunning gem to our collection is a source of immense pride for us."
JAR, the renowned contemporary high jewelry house headed by American-French artist Joel Arthur Rosenthal, also graced the auction with a private collection of 21 jewels named "A Bouquet of Gems: A Superb Collection of Jewels by JAR." This portion of the auction amassed over $7.1 million, with some pieces in the top 10 lots of the sale.
Leading the pack was the "Apricot Blossom" bangle, the fourth highest lot overall, adorned with round diamonds, reddish orange and yellow enamel, blackened silver, yellow gold, and bronze, fetching more than $2.8 million, four times its high estimate. Following suit was an extraordinary diamond necklace, described by the auction house, which sold for approximately $2.6 million, ranking it as the fifth most valuable lot in the sale.
Christie's reported significant demand for colored diamonds and colored gemstones throughout the auction, with the brilliant and rare varieties drawing particular attention. Among the highlights was a ring by Graff featuring a 3.68-carat, vivid blue oval-shaped diamond, selling for more than $5.8 million ($1.5 million per carat). Notably, Lawrence Graff, owner of the renowned London diamond jeweler, was the winning bidder. It took the number 2 spot in the sale.
Another standout was a 10.17-carat, Burmese cushion-shaped ruby encased in an 18k gold ring embellished with round diamonds, which fetched over $4.1 million, earning it the number 3 spot in the auction.
The buzz around this star-studded sale didn't escape Rahul Kadakia, Christie's International Global head of Jewels, who exclaimed, "Today's sale marked a truly historic moment in auction history that's sure to be remembered for years to come. The exceptional JAR collection, coupled with extraordinary gems, brought top prices in a bustling sale room – it was an unparalleled experience, enjoyed by both Christie’s and its esteemed clients."
- The Moussaieff Jewellers, known for their prestigious connections with Middle Eastern royalty, powerful politicians, global celebrities, and affluent Israelis, secured a dazzling blue gem at the Christie's Geneva auction, setting a new record for a deep blue diamond, and adding it to their private collection, a source of immense pride. (lifestyle, business, finance, gem)
- The auction at Christie's Geneva showcased a significant demand for colored diamonds and colored gemstones, with Graff, a renowned London diamond jeweler, securing a 3.68-carat, vivid blue oval-shaped diamond, which took the number 2 spot in the sale. (fashion-and-beauty, business)
